On her seventh release after a productive five-year, five-album affiliation with Blind Pig, singer/songwriter/guitarist Deborah Coleman shifts gears slightly for her Telarc label debut. Producer Randy Labbe emphasizes Coleman's expressive voice -- sounding somewhat like a combination of Tracy Chapman and Joan Armatrading -- over her formidable guitar chops. It's a savvy move, and results in one of her most relaxed and commercial outings. Shifting from straight blues to a more laid-back (but still invigorating) RB approach allows Coleman room to explore the previously rather limited range of her expressive velvety vocals. A cover of the Everly Brothers' chestnut When Will I Be Loved? refashioned as a peppy shuffle doesn't really click, but her fiery take on Delbert McClinton's Lie No Better -- although it pales next to Etta James' version -- effectively frames Coleman's intentions. Better still is the low-boil J.J. Cale-styled swamp of her original The River Wild, a sensuous, peaceful, beautifully recorded and arranged instrumental with a light funk undertow that unexpectedly explodes in a raw guitar blast. The restrained yet fiery groove is prevalent throughout, kicked off by the biting original Bad Boy. The closing A Woman in Love, written by Bill Chinnock, captures the singer's soulful yet steely side, wrapping up a wholly successful project that effectively capitalizes on Deborah Coleman's strongest talents -- sultry vocals and short, succinct guitar solos -- and is arguably better than her previous albums that were more oriented toward blues-rock. ~ Hal Horowitz, Rovi

1		Bad Boy
2		Lie No Better
3		Undeniable
4		Can You Hear Me?
5		When Will I Be Loved?
6		Healing Ground
7		The River Wild
8		What About Love?
9		Loves Like Rain
10		Lookin' For A Real Love
11		A Woman In Love

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