Affirmation

Hoping to build on the momentum gained by her Mercury Music Prize-nominated breakthrough album, Who I Am, Beverley Knight's fourth effort abandons her soul credentials and goes straight for the commercial pop jugular. Working with an array of collaborators including Coldplay's Chris Martin and Robbie Williams' ex-songwriting partner Guy Chambers, Affirmation clearly has one eye on dominating the airwaves as much as her biggest hit, "Shoulda Woulda Coulda," did two years previously. Indeed, lead single "Come as You Are" should have no problems finding its way onto radio playlists, its swirling keyboards, psychedelic guitars, and almighty chorus creating a Lenny Kravitz-meets-Pink pop/rock stomper. The inclusion of a cover, "Keep This Fire Burning," originally a hit for Robyn in her native Sweden, also signifies Knight's intentions -- its exuberant catchy pop is a million miles away from her urban roots but much more likely to score her a number one hit. Best of all is the Chris Martin-penned "The First Time," which shows that his dalliance with R&B on Jamelia's "See It in a Boy's Eyes" was no fluke.