POP MUSIC REVIEWS : Belle’s Strengths Remain in R

Regina Belle, who performed at the Strand during the weekend, is caught in a grass-is-greener mode. Not content with R&B; prominence, she longs to be a pop star.

But pop stardom isn’t likely, for two reasons: Her singing has too many rough edges to satisfy pop fans, and she doesn’t have a distinctive persona. If her Oscar-winning, chart-topping duet with Peabo Byron on “A Whole New World” couldn’t sell her to pop fans, nothing is likely to.

Belle’s true fans--the over-25, ballad-oriented, R&B; crowd--packed the Strand, and at Friday’s first show they cheered her every move.

Belle, who was accompanied by a small band and backup singers, does have tremendous range, and on torch songs can sing with gospel-like fervor.

But her pop aspirations do sometimes get in the way. Such ballads as “Make It Like It Was” and “All I Want Is Forever” are garnished with pop ornamentation, giving them a sticky-sweet turn. Belle is a stronger performer when she stays true to her R&B;/gospel/jazz roots.