The unaccredited compilation producer of this set did a fine job of assimilating Lucas's singles -- and a few album cuts -- in a flowing, mostly chronological sequence. The singer's strongest entries are generally the upbeat, driving dance tracks, which comprise the first two-thirds of the disc. Gems like the disco-driven "I Gotta Keep Dancin'" and "Dance With You" and the funky R&B groove "Show Me Where You're Coming From" are classic in their rhythm arrangements and still sound fresh today. Lucas's light and feathery vocals won't knock listeners out but contribute an earnest sweetness to the songs that make them what they are. On the ballad side, her subtle rendering of Barbara Lewis's 1963 hit "Hello Stranger" (R&B chart number one, Pop number three) shines through. Loyal to its original, just as Lewis used popular male group of the time the Dells for backing harmonies, Lucas's soulful labelmates the Whispers add texture to her version. "Sometimes a Love Goes Wrong" and "What's the Question" are also melodic slow grooves, but they don't sit in the memory quite as easily. One of the strongest points of this set, however, is that all songs included are the full-length versions rather than common choppy edits used for hits collections. In the process, a few singles are left out; but nearly all the essentials are here, making Greatest Hits a fine Lucas showcase. ~ Justin M. Kantor
