{blackbabes} Review: Lizz Wright is heavenly on `Fellowship'

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In this CD cover image released by Verve Records, ...

Lizz Wright, "Fellowship" (Verve)

It would have been easy for Lizz Wright's "Fellowship" to turn into a pleasing but conventional-sounding inspirational album, with Wright giving a slight update to tried-and-true standards.

Thankfully, "Fellowship" is not that album because Wright isn't that kind of artist. Though she covers gospel classics like "Amazing Grace" and "I've Got a Feeling," Wright's fourth album showcases her as an ever-evolving singer, songwriter and song interpreter — and challenges the idea of inspirational music.

Most of the songs Wright tackles have been done before. Not all are religious, but in some cases, Wright makes them divine with her vocals — always soulful and full of passion, yet elegant and refined.

Her take on Eric Clapton's "Presence of the Lord" is stirring, and her rollicking rendition of Jimi Hendrix's "In From the Storm," where the handclaps and percussion are at the core, turns it from a fiery love song to a tune about how love triumphs over hardship.

Me'Shell Ndegeocello guest stars on her own song, the beliefs-challenging "Fellowship," and Sweet Honey on the Rock's Bernice Johnson Reagon pens the beautiful "I Remember, I Believe." The album again features Reagon's daughter, accomplished singer-songwriter Toshi Reagon, as Wright's co-producer.

CHECK OUT THIS TRACK: For those looking for a more traditional gospel sound, Wright provides it with the stunning "God Specializes," which is wrought with emotion without being overwrought and over-the-top.