Album: Lizz Wright, Fellowship (Verve Forecast)

The Georgia-born singer's fourth album showcases her gospel background in a set that mixes traditional songs with adaptations of Bob Marley, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix.

As on her previous outing, The Orchard, the calculated downhome-rootsiness can leave her sounding, oddly, like a pious Bonnie Raitt, but things really catch fire with "I Remember, I Believe" and "God Specializes". Two contributions from guest singer Angélique Kidjo add west African flavours.