Melinda Doolittle

If there was a regular highlight to season six of American Idol, it was Melinda Doolittle.  Consistently the best singer on the show, choosing the toughest songs, Doolittle wowed the US for nearly 4 months with her bluesy, big voice.  She also impressed the judges for taking on songs beyond the usual Whitney and Mariah fare, and into difficult territory that a lesser talent couldn't handle. 

So while it wasn't entirely surprising that the photogenic Jordin Sparks and the cool Blake Lewis went on to the finals of Idol  that year, there was no doubt who the best pure singer on the show had been.

Unlike most Idol alums, Doolittle did not immediately record and release her debut album.  She quietly issued a cover of the classic "My Funny Valentine" in February, 2008.  She then began working on her debut album, Coming Back to You, working with producer Mike Mangini (Baha Men, Joss Stone).  The album, which has a decidedly retro bent to it, is slated for release in February, 2009.  The disc's first single, "It's Your Love," can be heard at Melinda's MySpace Page. 

By Chris Rizik