IN BRIEF: : ** Howard Hewett, “Howard Hewett,” Elektra.:<i> Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to five (a classic).</i>

Determined to make a dent as one of R&B;/pop’s reigning romance gods, Hewett has assembled a collection of love songs that are polished and pretty but less memorable than some of his past efforts. Unlike that of Babyface and Johnny Gill, Hewett’s romantic vision isn’t particularly riveting, and much of the music here pales by comparison to the beautifully focused pop he recorded years ago as a member of Shalamar. “I Do” and “The More I Get” are nice, but they’re just B-side imitations of Hewett classics like “The Lover In You.”