Bolton Keeps the Glitz, but Adds Real Soul

** 1/2

MICHAEL BOLTON

“Time, Love and Tenderness”

Columbia

Soul singer Michael Bolton has taken critical lashings because his R&B; ballad style seems so grossly derivative. This time, though, his vocals are infused with some original touches on what is his best album by far.

Bolton virtually owns the romantic pop-R&B; ballad turf. Working with his strongest material yet, he employs an unerring commercial touch. Bolton surrounds his R&B; vocals with glitzy pop production, helping to make his material palatable to pop fans who wouldn’t normally listen to hard-core R&B; balladeers. The payoff: The album has quickly shot to No. 1 on the national charts.

Bolton, who is white, is still pursuing an admitted goal: credibility among black R&B; fans. Dueting with gospel/R&B; belter Patti LaBelle should help. He wails with her on “We’re Not Making Love Anymore,” and both singers indulge in some crowd-pleasing R&B; excesses.