Candace Bellamy

Candace Bellamy

Physician by day, musician by night, Candace Bellamy brings "Sweet Sweet Soul" to her debut full-length, In My Lane, a years-in-the-making affair that finds the Tennessee native leaving no vocal stone unturned. The dexterous singer arrives funky and burnished on "Expect" and opener "Put Down the Foot," strong and determined throughout "Johnny." She's sweet as you-know-what on "Like Honey," reeling in local jazz icon Ephraim Owens for a series of trumpet ad-libs, then wholesome and rootsy on LP standout "Might As Well Be U." Falling firmly between soul queen Sharon Jones and Austin's rising star Akina Adderley, she embodies the uplifting "Skies Are Grey," while "Sweet Sweet Soul" could've dropped off a Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi album. Here's one singer who shouldn't have to stick to her day job.