Grade: B- | Genre: Vocal Jazz Summary: Katie Melua is an incredibly talented singer and I can't wait to see her mature into the stellar artist that she is destined to become. Eyeing the future, I hope that she makes better selections with her material that challenge and force her out of that comfort zone.

Katie Melua is a 19-year-old import from the UK (originally from Russia) which slides her soft purring voice into the jazz scene with exquisite style and eloquence. She has garnered considerable acclaim in her home country finding her way to number 1 on the album charts dethroning Dido and Norah Jones respectively. She is just beginning to make ripples stateside. Melua is one of those talented artists (like Sondre Lerche or Vanessa Carlton) who are making their impact felt at a young age. I was just beginning to discover music at 19 while Melua is making music to be discovered.

Comparisons to Norah are inevitable but short sighted. Melua tends to take a more classic approach to the material she chooses more than Norah's jazz sauteed over blues. Melua has amazing vocal capacities and she is beyond gorgeous. She could probably piece together a pretty steady career supported solely on her looks.

Call Off the Search is comprised of 10 covers and 2 original ballads. Maybe calling off the search for material was a little premature because her choices of covers are uneven at times. I think they hold her back from really showcasing her talent. The album's title track opens the disk to a lazy, lulling ballad that meanders along very nicely that feels like it belongs in a Doris Day/Rock Hudson feature.

"My Aphrodisiac is You" is a decided misstep and I'm at a loss for what she was thinking with "Mockingbird Song". That is a piece you can literally do nothing with. "Lilac Wine" is a valiant attempt with notable charm yet it pales in comparison to Jeff Buckley's rendition. "The Closest Thing to Crazy" is a good romantic melody about how logic and reason evaporate when touched by love but it's frustrating because you see there is another level she can reach that never materializes.

"Blame It On the Moon" (previously reviewed as part of Hed Kandi's Winter Chill 06.04) is the highlight of this album. It sounds mysterious with a touch of the Orient like it should be supporting a James Bond film. Melau's voice is so incredibly sexy, flittering around a love that wasn't supposed to happen. This piece is beautifully executed.

I think Katie Melua is an incredibly talented singer and I can't wait to see her mature into the stellar artist she is destined to become. Eyeing the future, I hope that she makes better selections with her material that challenge and force her out of that comfort zone. Also this classic vein is nice yet too safe. I'd like to see her mix it up similar to what Jamie Cullum is doing, shaking up jazz by injecting it with thoughts from the full music spectrum. Melua will find her place in jazz regardless of where I, or anyone else, attempt to steer her. I'm definitely excited to see where that will end up being.

Purchase Call Off the Search now. Be sure to check out Innovative Radio this week featuring Melua's title track and the best cutting edge music on Internet radio.