“From the Bottom Up” (MJJ/Epic) — Brownstone

Brownstone is the latest passenger on the overcrowded harmony train. But the trio, on the vocal strength of this debut album, could soon be the female answer to Boyz II Men.

Mimi, Nicci and Maxee performed one song a cappella and were signed to MJJ Music by the label’s head, Michael Jackson, who served as executive producer for “From the Bottom Up.”

Produced by some of the hottest names in the business, Brownstone serves up ballads and dance music with an attitude. The tunes “Pass The Lovin”‘ and “Party Wit Me” show women in command.

Brownstone faces an uphill battle in a field with such talented acts as SWV and Jade. But they should make their name known with “From the Bottom Up.”

“The Best of Chris Rea” (East/West) — Chris Rea

This handy collection allows Americans to catch up on a well-kept secret.

While Rea has cracked the U.S. charts with such hits as “Stainsby Girls,” “Let’s Dance,” “Fool If You Think It’s Over” and “The Road to Hell,” he remains less known here than in his native England.

And this is a shame. Rea’s vocals are reminiscent of Mark Knopfler, and he offers elegant, articulate guitar playing. His music is an eclectic blend of rock, pop, jazz, soul and world.

His many moods are chronicled on “The Best Of,” from pessimistic (“The Road to Hell”) to playful (“Julia”) to wistful (“Tell Me There’s a Heaven”). He paints colorful pictures on such songs as “On The Beach” and “Gone Fishing.”

Rea is Britain’s answer to such American wordsmiths as Warren Zevon and Randy Newman, and this album shows why.

“The Woman in Me” (Mercury) — Shania Twain

The second album by this young Canadian country artist is a breath of fresh air.

Twain teams with veteran rock producer “Mutt” Lange, who became her husband during the production of “The Woman in Me.” The duo wrote half the album between them.

The result is a release that is in turn sassy, assertive, contemplative and revealing. Twain takes the listener on an extremely listenable journey through love’s many phases. Lange shows his background by packing the album with many memorable hooks.

Nashville today is a logjam of pretty faces and tiny voices. On “The Woman in Me,” Twain takes a big step forward, away from the pack. It’s a kick to see such a talent emerging.

“University” (Sire) — Throwing Muses

An underappreciated group during the ’80s, Throwing Muses again produces a quality album with “University.”

Despite losing members during the early ’90s, founding members guitarist-vocalist Kristin Hersh and drummer David Narcizo, along with more recent addition Bernard Georges, turn out provocative, compelling hooks that draw in the listener.

But that’s only half of Throwing Muses’ success. Hersh’s haunting vocals, combined with her almost hallucinogenic lyrics, make the listeners feel like they’ve entered a bizarre little fever dream. While the tunes on “University” don’t always make sense, they do make an impact.

As long as Hersh is driving Throwing Muses, the trio will never be accused on being dull.