"Rockferry" is the most gorgeous evocation of classic pop-soul for years, and make no mistake, this is an album which wears its nostalgic credentials with no apology, only the new single "Mercy" betraying a hint of the 21st century about it.

"Warwick Avenue" lopes into action with a hint of The Temptations' "My Girl", "Stepping Stone'" s pensive intro seems to scream "Walk On By" and "Syrup And Honey" has more than a whiff of the Stax sound about it.

And then there are all the production nods towards Motown and Phil Spector - the tambourines set in cavernous reverb, the searing strings, the tremolo guitars.

All of this would be so much stylistic dressing-up were it not for the quality of the songs and the allure of Duffy's voice - a full-throated expressive wail which is never less than equal to the big arrangements.

The comparisons with Dusty Springfield are so wide of the mark.

Dusty was a much lustier performer.

Yes Duffy has the same look and works in the same pop landscape Dusty strode, but Duffy's voice is much more steeped in the tone of the poppier Motown songstrels.

If Duffy is the new anybody, she is the new Amy Winehouse, which makes it particularly ironic that the Welsh girl's missing forename is also Amy/Aimee.

For Duffy, like Winehouse, is utterly immersed in classic soul music, but where Winehouse now seems blurry and damaged, Duffy is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Duffy is the sweet to Winehouse's sour, the blonde to Amy's tattered brunette.

This is an album every bit as solid as "Back To Black", with tracks that sound like dusty soul standards.

The result is mighty good pop.

Duffy-Rockferry ****1/2

Listen, good tunes is good tunes. Those naysayers who are calling this just a trendy, marketed album that wouldn't sell if it weren't for the advertising, well I must argue that untrue as I have never seen, nor heard an add for the album. I heard the voice on the radio and bought the album. So there ya go. She is apparently Welsh which must be where the charm in her looks and vocals come from. The smokey feel of her voice and the martini lounge attitude of the instrumentation make Rockferry a very rewarding debut album. On that note, this sounds very advanced for a debut.

Songs like the sultry lead single (destined to be a massive hit) 'Mercy' and the defiant 'Stepping Stone' so a heavier more intense side to Duffy, while others like the elegant 'Warwick Avenue' and the Dusty Springfield-ish 'Serious' show a more refined, but none the less soulful side of her.

While I do see that yes, there could be improvement but, not much, and for a debut, this is a damn good one. Duffy is destined to be a big star and rightfully so. The girls got soul!

If your looking for Amy Winehouse here, don't. If you're looking for Dusty Springfield here, you can forget that, too, for the most part. What you'll find, mainly, is an amazing album that harkens to the ghosts of Cilla Black and Lulu from the British 60s. Both of thos artists cycled both Mersey pop and R&B ala Motown through their mod singles. Although both Winehouse and Springfield can be peripherally referenced here, it's a lazy reference at best; both of those artists are high profile at the moment, whether it be by chart status (Winehouse) or nostalgic homage (ala Shelby Lynne's latest). If you want a true point of reference for this gifted singer with fabulous taste and a great new (old) sound, go back to the early sixties Brit jukebox.

I've bought 5 albums this year and wasn't thrilled with any of them until I finally got to Duffy. This girl singer from Wales is simply amazing. Her voice has a kitten trying to sound tough quality that reminds me of the Ronnettes or a very young Aretha Franklin. This is a gorgeous album. The wall of sound is a thrill to listen to especially on Mercy and Distant Dreamer. The lyrics make sense, you can sing along and not be embarrassed at mouthing nonsense. Plus, although this goes through all the stages of young love you won't be ashamed to have your mom or your kid catch you listening to it.

Duffy has a piece of work to be proud of. I loved this.

I have a six disc changer in my car. Three CDs never leave the player - Dusty Springfield's 'Dusty in Memphis', the DVD-Audio Marvin Gaye 'Collection', and Elaine Elias' 'Dreamer'. This will be the fourth. I love this CD and the only song I skip on occasion is the radio hit 'Mercy' because you hear it all the time. I tell everyone I know about this CD and play it for them if they'll listen. I would say more than half stay around long enough to hear the whole CD; more than a few now own the CD themselves.