Hot Times

Don’t believe the title: Hot Times is tepid at best. Gwen Guthrie’s sensuous voice is always a pleasure to hear, but none of these anonymous adult-contemporary tunes match the energy of her 1986 breakthrough, the infectious dance hit ”Ain’t Nothing Goin’ On But the Rent.” A slowed-down version of Stephanie Mills’ ”Never Knew Love Like This Before” lumbers on without seeming to go anywhere. A singer of this quality deserves material with a lot more heat. C+