Grammy winning vocalist Regina Belle is the newest addition to the Peak Records family. As one of the most prolific vocalists on the urban contemporary scene, Belle's success as a recording and touring artist has not only earned her hit records including the Grammy winning duet with Peabo Bryson, "A Whole New World" (Aladdin's Theme) and her compelling recording of "Baby Come To Me," but incredible praise and legions of fans worldwide. It's a little too early to tell, but we're hoping to hear from Regina on Peak by the end of 2001.

With Regina Belle, you just gotta believe. Don't ask questions, don't make excuses. Just believe in the power of the music. Few singers possess the strength, the emotion, and the technical skill of the Grammy-winning singer. Now, Regina expands her artistic talents and creative control even further with her new MCA album "Believe in Me." Not only did she co-write several of the album's eleven tracks, but she also elevated her own celebrated vocal magic to a level even she hadn't known she could reach. "This album is more personal than any other," she says, "because it has more of myself poured into it."

Songwriting is a relatively new creative outlet for Regina, but one with which she had no trouble. "The songs were easy to write," she recalls. "I basically wrote about who I am and what my life entails." To help realize her vision, Regina enlisted the aid of several brilliant producers who truly believed in her, including Erik 'E-Smooth' Hicks. Recording at E-Smooth's Northern California studios, Regina laid down the tracks for the bouncy first single "Don't Let Go," a song featuring lyrics she penned herself. "I just wanted to create a fun song with a jazzy vibe," she remembers. As for the inspirational title track, she says, "Believe in Me" is not just an anthem for someone in love; it's also a celebration of music. Music has such a great impact on people; it can spiritually uplift you, and even when you run into obstacles you feel you can overcome them because you have a stronger foundation."

As a reflection of her refined musical tastes (which include such diverse talents as Gambie & Huff, R. Kelly, and Selena), "Don't Let Go" works on two levels, as an upbeat dance track and as a gospel-flavored love song. Other tracks, like the silky, sexy "Baby Love" and the joyous "You Make Me Smile" (both co-written by Regina) are among the album's most upbeat. The hypnotic "I Gotch U" was written by Regina's brother Bernard Belle (he also plays all the instruments). Another talented producer joining forces with Regina on "Believe in Me" is Greg Charlie, former protege' of studio ace Nick Martinelli. One of the tracks they teamed on, "I've Had Enough," is a song of urban heartbreak. When Regina moans, "I've had enough of all this pain/It's time for us to go our separate ways," her pain is real.

Meanwhile, on the flipside is the enchanting "Never Should Have Let You Go," which tells of a broken couple reunited. Closing the album is one of Regina's personal favorites, "Be In Love Again," a melodic ballad she co-wrote that questions the motives of a man in love. "That song took me a long time to get right," she says. "It's about two people who realize their relationship has become dormant. My grandmother used to say that whatever it took to get a husband, it takes the same thing to keep him. So this song is a message to all young people going into marriage, and hopefully giving them a formula that works. I consider the song one of my best ever."

From the beginning, Regina believed in herself, as an artist and as a vibrant human being with something to contribute. Although the New Jersey-born singer grew up jamming to he "Soul Train" beat blaring from Saturday morning television, come Sunday, young Regina would be lifting her voice at Mount Calvary Baptist Church. "Singing in the choir was where I learned the basis of music," she says. "Church was the best thing in the world for me." After graduating from Rutgers University, Regina performed in and around New York's Greenwich Village before signing on as a vocalist with the hit R&B group The Manhattans.

A few years later, as a solo artist, she made her album debut with "All By Myself," followed by such hit albums as the RIAA gold-certified "Stay With Me." Her many hit singles include the smokey "Baby, Come to Me," "Show Me The Way," "So Many Tears," "Make It Like It Was," "This Is Love," and the #1 smash "A Whole New World" (Aladdin's Theme), a duet with Peabo Bryson from the Disney animated classic that won four Grammy Awards including Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group and Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television and sold over 3 million copies.

Equally comfortable on stage or in the studio, Regina has long held a little secret to help her give her best every time: "I never forget to pray," she says. "And I always try to maintain who I am. When I go out there, I don't compete with Whitney, Celine or anyone. I always say to myself, 'You have to do the best that YOU can do." As a result, Regina has developed a close relationship with her fans. "They've always said they feel it's really personal with me, as if we're in the living room together," she notes. "In the studio, I try to reflect that same one-on-one relationship."

Like many working women, Regina knows all too well the difficulties of balancing family and career, but she manages to find a way. "I make it up as I go along," says the singer, who often hits the road with her children in tow. "I want them to see what Mommy does. It's important that I have a career outside the home because I have to make a contribution. There has to be something that I bring to the table, something that I do well all by myself."

As her many hits over the years attest, Regina Belle has long been making a major contribution to music. Now, she hopes her new album will convey her core beliefs. "Through this album, people will see that I love God, that I love family, and that I absolutely love music." Indeed, as "Believe In Me" readily shows, Regina Belle still holds nothing back. You just gotta believe it.