SHELBY LYNNE ''Just a Little Lovin' '' (Lost Highway)

3-1/2 stars

With power and sophistication, a Dusty Springfield vocal could make you sweat, send shivers down your spine or tear out your heart. On this tribute, the country angel smartly doesn't try to go head to head with the memory of the late, great English diva. Uber-producer Phil Ramone instead uses tasty, spare arrangements to give Lynne a chance to explore the songs in her own fashion. Gone is the anguish from Bacharach-David's ''Anyone Who Had a Heart,'' leaving an apres-sex confession. The buoyant, giddy-in-love ''I Only Want to Be With You'' is remade as a sultry come-on. Lynne can't match the cool heat of Dusty's ''The Look of Love,'' but who can? She does capture Springfield's earthy soulfulness, though, particularly on ''Just a Little Lovin','' ''Breakfast in Bed'' and Randy Newman's ''I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore.'' Even Lynne's self-penned ''Pretend'' doesn't seem out of place on this collection of great songs.

-- ROB LOWMAN

ERIC LINDELL ''Low on Cash, Rich in Love'' (Alligator)

3 stars

California transplant Lindell serves up bluesy blue-eyed soul smothered with a big heap of New Orleans funk. Essentially the next generation's Dr. John, Lindell celebrates the joie de vivre of his adopted city and the often messed-up emotional consequences thereof with equal, gravel-voiced passion and laments the town's current dire condition with the best of them. However sad the story might get, though, the shuffling interplay of electric guitars, percolating organ and Creole horns never fails to make you feel like dancing all the way down Canal Street.

-- BOB STRAUSS

WESTSIDE CONNECTION ''The Best Of: The Gangsta/The Killa/The Dope Dealer'' (Priority)

3-1/2 stars

Gangsta-rap supergroup Westside Connection -- featuring Ice Cube, Mack 10 and WC -- was one of the most popular groups of the '90s rap scene. This disc brings together not only hits from their collaborative efforts, but also features notable solo tracks by each artist. The sound is classic '90s hip-hop, gritty (''Bow Down'') with those unforgettable synth riffs (''Gangsta Nation''). Also included are unreleased tracks like ''Let it Reign'' and little-heard gems like ''Bangin'.'' If you're into violent imagery, braggadocio and unrelenting swagger, this disc is a must.

- LEN CUTLER