Stephanie McKay, Tell It Like It Is

Both capable and well-connected (her friends include fellow NYC soul scenesters Kelis and D'Angelo; her debut was produced by Portishead's Geoff Barrow), Stephanie McKay was initially seen as the successor to Norah Jones, but was saved from that fate when her album sold so poorly that it was never released outside Europe. Five years later, nobody is making any wild predictions, leaving this second set to stand on its own merits. For inspiration, McKay has returned to her 70s childhood - specifically, to the point just before soul transmuted into disco, when lubricious funk, a searing vocal and lyrics with a message were all crammed into three catchy minutes. McKay is exercised by teen parenthood, project housing and money's pernicious effect, and she's as urgent and direct as the backing tracks are horn-spattered and upbeat. Jackson Avenue stands out for its Philly-soul funkiness, but is by no means the only winner on this very likable return.