In Brief

** Oleta Adams, “Moving On,” Mercury. It’s not easy being the protege of a faded star; great expectations dog you, yet there are no more coattails to ride. Adams’ mature R&B; sizzles when it’s supposed to, but its overall blandness makes you wonder why, of all the singers in all the gin joints in all the world, Tears for Fears’ Roland Orzabal plucked her from the obscurity of a Kansas City hotel lounge.

New albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor), two stars (fair), three stars (good) and four stars (excellent).