Florence Rawlings - A Fool In Love (2009)

The latest vehicle for Mike Batt (songwriter for the Wombles and Katie Melua), 21-year-old Rawlings joins Duffy and Joss Stone in the ranks of British blue-eyed soul singers. Her debut largely consists of Batt's Motown-by-numbers horn-laden efforts, along with a clutch of covers (Ike Turner, Chuck Berry, Allen Toussaint.) It's a shame Batt didn't leave Rawlings undiscovered at the age of 13 to create her own music organically. While there's no denying the power of her voice, the faultless warble soundtracked by Batt's plodding arrangements is utterly soulless. Karaoke with an amazing voice is still karaoke.