Jill Scott’s seductive debut Who Is Jill Scott? intimated that Erykah Badu had a rival for the title of queen of cosmic soul. Fifteen years and four albums later, Scott is a far more conventional artist, the understated beauty of her first LP replaced by largely formulaic Philly soul on which she hollers and chastises former beaux. There’s no doubting the quality of her voice – she is blessed with both power and restraint – but Woman only shines on the moodier songs when Scott lingers over every syllable and puts the vocal acrobatics on hold. Can’t Wait and Say Thank You are both dazzling, but too many tracks are unworthy of a woman who once appeared to represent R&B’s future.
