Al Green - Your Heart's in Good Hands (1995)

Al Green's 1993 European album Don't Look Back contains seven songs produced by David Steele and Andy Cox (of Fine Young Cannibals), four by Arthur Baker, and two by Terry Manning. Five of the Steele and Cox tracks, three of the Baker, and none of the Manning were recycled for the belated U.S. release, Your Heart's in Good Hands. Supplementing the eight older numbers are two new songs, the title tune produced by Narada Michael Walden and the song "Could This Be Love," written and produced by Jodeci's DeVante Swing. Most of these producers deny Green the freedom he needs to improvise the quirky, special moments he brings to his best work. Only Baker seems to understand what Green needs, but their small triumphs are enough to lend hope that Green may have another great album in him yet. --Geoffrey Himes