Also available in a 3-pack with SHE'S SO UNUSUAL and TRUE COLORS.

Personnel includes: Cyndi Lauper (vocals, recorder); Hugh Masekela (vocals, horn); Eric Bazilian, Peter Wood, Rob Hyman (various instruments); Larry Treadwell, Nile Rodgers, Carlos Alomar (guitar); Rob Paparozzi (harmonica); Nicky Holland (piano, background vocals); Allee Willis (keyboards, bass, programming, background vocals); Joey Moscowitz (keyboards, bass, drum programming); Marv DePeyer, Jeff Bova, Fred McFarlane (keyboards); Danny Sembello, Kevin Jenkins, Bakithi Kumalo (bass); Anton Fig, David Uosikkinen (drums); Bashiri Johnson (congas); Jimmy Bralower (drum programming); Christopher Garcia (programming); Georgia Jones, Faith Kekana, Lawrence Matshiza, Deborah Fraser, Junior Vasquez, Stella Zulu, William Wittman (background vocals).

The Kids Of Saint Augustine School Of The Arts: Tremaine Lowe, Samantha Nazario, Otis Williams, James McBeth, Regina Baker, Stacy Hunt, Reggie Greene (background vocals).

Like a force unto herself, Cyndi Lauper leapt into public consciousness. The startling performer helped to usher in the dawn of MTV with songs and videos that were often wacky, poignant, and filled with unexpected vocal leaps. Only Madonna (around whom Lauper can sing rings) appeared capable of challenging her ascent, and, sure enough, Lauper eventually toppled in the wake of the Material Girl's inevitable world conquest.

Lauper has been threatening to come back ever since. HAT FULL OF STARS, the strongest of her post-debut releases, should have brought the singer full circle. Leading off with the irrepressible "That's What I Think," complete with recorder--yes, recorder--solo, Lauper teams up with DJ phenom Junior Vasquez to haul her into the '90s. The force of Lauper's pipes soars over the brittle machinery as though the surrounding samples are only there to keep her earthbound. Elsewhere, she teams up with old partners Rob Hyman and Eric Bazilian (of Hooters fame), who had a hand in sculpting her debut. Although STARS failed to fully recharge her career, Lauper remains an undeniable talent and a super-charged live performer.

Rolling Stone (9/2/93, p.60) - 3 1/2 Stars - Very Good - "...a more serious Lauper has returned with a fresh sound that mixes '60s soul, '70s funk, '80s pop and '90s hip-hop, as well as bits of folk and ethnic music....her multioctave voice has never sounded better, hitting highs, lows and everything in between..."

Entertainment Weekly (6/18/93, p.56) - "...12 tunes that run the gamut from light pop and hard R&B to bleak ballads and ersatz Motown..." - Rating: B

Q (12/93, p.114) - 3 Stars - Good - "...[Cyndi Lauper] spills into traditional self-parody on a couple of tracks...but there's enough [on HAT FULL] to make it worthwhile..."