Kelly Rowland, Ms Kelly

Kelly Rowland failed to step out of Beyoncé's shadow commercially with Ms Kelly, but in artistic terms the album revealed her as a viable solo star. Rowland's delivery is poised, dignified and completely lacking in the hysteria normally associated with R&B divas giving vent to their feelings. But the emotions simmering beneath her glassy, controlled tones are as raw as any Mary J Blige classic. Three club bangers - of which the caffeinated Work is the best - make for superb red herrings before Ms Kelly reveals the album's true character. She calmly dissects her break-up with American football player Roy Williams from every conceivable angle: regret (Still in Love With My Ex), denial (Flashback), malice (Love, on which she rails at her ex's mother), relief (Better Without You, an extended exhalation) and finally a glacial determination in Gotsta Go (Part 1). Beats crash like breaking dishes and crunky synths provide the frenzy to offset her measured voice.