POP MUSIC: ROCK, COUNTRY, R&B;, RAP, LATIN, JAZZ : A Savory, Soulful Debut : *** 1/2, THE TONY RICH PROJECT, “Words”, LaFace

Tony Rich’s career is off to a fast start, thanks to the enormous radio acceptance of his “Nobody Knows” single, a melancholy expression of romantic heartache with a wonderfully accessible coat of sweet, country-accented soul. But that track only offers a minor glimpse of the ambition and vision of this remarkably talented newcomer from Detroit.

Equally adept at stylish, mainstream love songs or adventurous, off-center tunes that chronicle social misdeeds or misunderstandings in unexpected ways, the writer-producer-singer-instrumentalist comes across as funkier Babyface or, perhaps, an understated (and less predictable, these days) Prince.

“Billy Goat” features such a slow, appealing, Prince-ly groove that you can easily overlook the biting lyrics about an unwed father’s refusal to take responsibility for his actions. “Under Your Spell” also comes with such a seductive feel that you could miss the warning about romantic obsession. “Little Ones” holds out a spiritual solution to youngsters searching for understanding and comfort.

Through it all, Rich operates with a confidence and skill that could establish him as one of the most stylish pop-soul communicators since the heyday of Motown.