London's Paris

Mica Paris, London's latest lark on the sparse British soul front, started singing in her family church when she was seven. Six years later the ''determined little sausage" (as Paris describes herself, in the broadest Cockney, accent this side of Bethnal Green) quit the pulpit circuit and now, at twenty, is bringing traditionally stodgy British audiences to their feet. Constantly compared to Aretha and Anita, Paris is also reminiscent of Minnie Riperton (minus the helium); her resemblance to Sade lies only in that both of their names are misleadingly spelled (she's ''Meesha"). With her debut album on Island released here this month and performances alongside Ray Charles and Prince (a fan) under her Joe Casely-Hayford belt, this little sausage is positively sizzling.

CHRISTA D'SOUZA