These days, musicians often complain that major labels no longer believe in real artist development -- if a debut album isn't a big seller, chances are the artist will be dropped. But artist development is still alive and well at smaller independent labels (for the most part). That is where some A&R people are still willing to develop artists and offer two- or three-album contracts instead of merely one-album deals -- which is a good thing because not every artist should be expected to be commercially and creatively triumphant the first time he/she records an album. Some people get better as they go along; even Earth, Wind & Fire recorded several modest sellers before becoming one of the top soul/funk bands of the '70s. Willy Porter is a good example of the need for strong A&R, because even though the singer/songwriter has always had a lot of potential, he hasn't always lived up to it and has needed the right guidance and direction.

Thanks to generally insightful A&R on the part of Six Degrees Records, this self-titled CD is among Porter's more memorable efforts. When this 2002 release is playing, one gets the impression that the best is still yet to come from Porter -- even so, the material is solid more often than not.

Porter has always been a superb acoustic guitarist, but having great chops doesn't automatically make one a great songwriter or a great vocalist. In the '90s, Porter still needed some work in those areas -- and it's nice to see him continue to progress as a singer/songwriter on folk-rock/adult alternative offerings like "Everything but Sorry," "Blue Light," and the moody opener, "Breathe.

" This CD falls short of perfect, but it's still an album that, on the whole, Porter can be proud of.