MUSIC journalists have been hailing Lizz as the Wright stuff since her debut album Salt, a fusion of jazz, gospel and soul.

Her follow-up charts similar waters and if you love female singer-songwriters who like to keep up with Norah Jones, then Lizz Wright is worth a spin.

It all begins with the deep and mellow A Taste Of Honey, in which Wright - a black woman from the American south - sounds uncannily like Joni Mitchell, then follows on with the gentle Stop, where her vocal mimicry flutters to kd lang.

Ms Jones is the inspiration for track number three, Hit The Ground, and it's not until song four, the catchy and self-penned When I Close My Eyes, that you hear the real Lizz Wright.

For sheer gorgeousness, her cover of Neil Young's Old Man is a must-hear.

Updated: 09:13 Thursday, June 23, 2005