Joan Armatrading: Joan Armatrading (A&M)

REPUTABLE SOURCES assure me that this new record album is, in fact, by the same Joan Armatrading who almost died of fright during her London club debut at Ronnie Scott's four years ago. It's hard to believe, but on the other hand it's gratifying to realise that, even in the pressure-cooker of today's rock world, a raw talent can sometimes find the time to refine itself into maturity.