Duffy - Rockferry (Universal Music Canada)

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Retro-pop music is once again becoming cool with Shelby Lynne having recently undertaken her breathtaking homage to Dusty Springfield on January's Just A Little Lovin', which brings us (in a roundabout way) to this release from Welsh songstress Duffy. Springfield is practically the only common bond between her and Lynne though: where Lynne's record veered more towards the jazz-pop side of things, Duffy stays firmly on the Motown and pop side of the tracks. Every one of these songs sound as though they could have been recorded and produced in the '60s; the instrumentation is lush on many of the tracks, helping make almost each of them a potential AM radio hit. Duffy's vocals have some great range to them, best shown on the title track and Mercy while she's a little more subdued (but equally impressive) on Warwick Avenue and Hanging On Too Long.

If retro-pop music is to your liking, I really feel as though you can't go wrong with this Welsh beauty's major label debut. It's definitely a nice break from the monotony of modern pop music.

- Ken Kelley