Melanie Fiona

Perhaps intentionally produced to sound like nouveau-soul contemporaries Amy Winehouse and Estelle, Toronto, ON-born Melanie Fiona still puts a personal spin on retro-styled R&B on her debut record, The Bridge. While some of it ("Walk on By," "Please Don't Go") plays out like a commonplace throwback tribute, albeit stylized to fit today's overproduced soundscapes, The Bridge also contains more than a few radio-friendly nuggets — the lazy horns on the island-influenced "Ay Yo" and a creeping bass line on lead single "Give It To Me Right" are certainly palatable. Aside from the fact that this record sounds slightly too slick to feel truly soulful, Fiona's powerful voice makes her a strong contender for future success.