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Beyond Adele

A look at some other British soul sisters whose vocal talents deserve a listen.

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Joel Ryan/AP
Frontwoman Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine performs during the Brit Awards 2012 at the O2 Arena in London, in February.
  • By John Kehe Staff

When the ridiculously talented Adele absorbed all the light in the universe this past year, it was as if she were the only female singer/songwriter in the world, mesmerizing us with her riveting, careworn voice, revealing songs, and dramatic personal story.

In interviews following her record-shattering Grammy night, the London songbird indicated she might want to take some time off to rest her multiplatinum voice and reassess career plans. So while Adele cedes the spotlight, let us take this opportunity to showcase some other British soul sisters whose vocal talents deserve a listen. We're not claiming any of these women exhibit Adele's rare combination of vocal prowess, vulnerability, and radio hooks. But there are some compelling female singers out there with impressive gifts to offer.

Britain is a prolific incubator of "Dusty's Daughters" – girls that grew up in the afterglow of blue-eyed soul icon Dusty Springfield, and later, Amy Winehouse. Here is a shortlist of vocal stars, burning brightly or just heating up.

Corinne Bailey Rae burst on the scene in 2005 with a charming single "Like a Star," followed by the worldwide smash "Put Your Records On" from her debut album. Following the death of her husband, Rae's second album, "The Sea," was much darker and introspective. But her Billie Holiday meets Bambi vocal stylings always captivate, and a highly anticipated new record is on its way.

Welsh singer/songwriter Dusty ... er, Duffy, a diminutive blonde with big hair and a huge voice dominated the British charts with the sassy "Mercy" in 2009 and looked to be on her way to superstardom after capturing a Grammy for Best Vocal Performance. Though discomfort with fame has sidelined Duffy for the past few years, recent reports have her back in the recording studio.

Scottish powerhouse KT Tunstall had a worldwide hit in 2005 with "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree," and her live solo shows are legendary. You can check out her multilayered percussive performance style on YouTube.

Sultry soul sister/actor Joss Stone created a sensation with her 2003 debut album, "Soul Sessions," recorded when she was just 16. Now a veteran at 25, with a half-dozen albums under her belt, Stone's vocal prowess often outshines the material she sings. Still, she's got game.

Frontwoman Florence Welch of indie stars Florence + the Machine possesses a bewitching instrument favorably compared to that of Jefferson Airplane's Grace Slick and art-pop queen Kate Bush.

And the newcomers:

Emerging British artists Laura Marling, Eliza Doolittle, Ellie Goulding, Lisa Hannigan, and Paloma Faith have all demonstrated that they have something unique to say and the compelling voices to deliver the message.

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