Personnel: Adam Pallin (guitar, programming); John Chudoba, Don Harris, Tom "Bones" Malone, Bill Harris , Tom Timko (horns); Raymond Angry (keyboards); Cindy Blackman (drums).

Audio Mixers: Howie Bend; Michael Mangini.

Arrangers: Adam Pallin; David Hamilton ; Howie Bend; Mike Mangini ; Tom "Bones" Malone.

Best known for her run on AMERICAN IDOL'S 2007 season (on which she placed third behind Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks), singer Melinda Doolittle boasts a confident, neo-soul style. Doolittle's debut, COMING BACK TO YOU, released in 2009, harks back to the golden age of Motown and Stax/Volt soul, with tunes driven by rich arrangements, driving rhythms, horns, organ, and light strings (the old school-flavored mid-tempo ballad "It's Your Love" is a case in point). There are touches here of contemporary R&B and smooth jazz-pop, but regardless of the style, the focus is Doolittle's voice, which wails, growls, and croons in a way that will leave few unsatisfied customers.

Entertainment Weekly (p.97) - "Doolittle channels Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin over live-band arrangements that feel fresh-faced and old-school at the same time..." -- Grade: B+