Video Exclusive: Delayed Devotion (live from La Pigalle)

Of all the new retro-sounding female singers suddenly given a break thanks to Amy Winehouse's transatlantic success, Duffy is arguably the one of whom most is expected. Having built up a small following in her native Wales, in 2004 she came to the attention of Owen Powell of Catatonia and Richard Parfitt of 60ft Dolls who, in August that year, introduced her to Jeanette Lee of Rough Trade.

Lee in turn brought former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler into the equation.

Butler's involvement is significant. His first post-Suede move was a musically sublime (if personally fractious) partnership with David McAlmont which revealed both his appreciation of and facility for huge Motown-style epics.

So, in a very real sense her debut album, Rockferry, has been more than three years in the making.

The result is a strings and echo-laden showcase for Duffy's white soul voice which is equal parts Dusty Springfield and Lulu (and I mean that nicely).

At the time of writing, first single Mercy is sitting at the top of the chart. Duffy's cute little rap over the start and instrumental break aside, it could quite easily have been released in 1965 yet it somehow manages to sound fresh and new.

This is a trick she pulls off throughout the album, most impressively on standout tracks Warwick Avenue, Distant Dreamer, and Syrup And Honey, the last of which features a vocal flourish which is truly extraordinary. 

Given how long this album has been gestating, the timing of Duffy's emergence is fortuitous rather than a cynical Winehouse cash-in. With the public's appetite for classic-sounding soul and old-school R&B established, the little lady from Nefyn looks set to clean up.

• Buy Duffy concert tickets
• Download music by Duffy
• Will Duffy Take Amy's Crown?

Video Exclusive: Delayed Devotion (live from La Pigalle)

Of all the new retro-sounding female singers suddenly given a break thanks to Amy Winehouse's transatlantic success, Duffy is arguably the one of whom most is expected. Having built up a small following in her native Wales, in 2004 she came to the attention of Owen Powell of Catatonia and Richard Parfitt of 60ft Dolls who, in August that year, introduced her to Jeanette Lee of Rough Trade.

Lee in turn brought former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler into the equation.

Butler's involvement is significant. His first post-Suede move was a musically sublime (if personally fractious) partnership with David McAlmont which revealed both his appreciation of and facility for huge Motown-style epics.

So, in a very real sense her debut album, Rockferry, has been more than three years in the making.

The result is a strings and echo-laden showcase for Duffy's white soul voice which is equal parts Dusty Springfield and Lulu (and I mean that nicely).

At the time of writing, first single Mercy is sitting at the top of the chart. Duffy's cute little rap over the start and instrumental break aside, it could quite easily have been released in 1965 yet it somehow manages to sound fresh and new.

This is a trick she pulls off throughout the album, most impressively on standout tracks Warwick Avenue, Distant Dreamer, and Syrup And Honey, the last of which features a vocal flourish which is truly extraordinary. 

Given how long this album has been gestating, the timing of Duffy's emergence is fortuitous rather than a cynical Winehouse cash-in. With the public's appetite for classic-sounding soul and old-school R&B established, the little lady from Nefyn looks set to clean up.

• Buy Duffy concert tickets
• Download music by Duffy
• Will Duffy Take Amy's Crown?