Melinda Doolittle’s powerful alto and knowing interpretative skill helped her command R&B classics throughout American Idol’s sixth season. Her 2009 debut showcases the sheer force of her voice, with thoughtfully arranged strings and horns giving the album a decidedly ‘60s feel. Emotion-packed ballads like the hymn-like “It’s Your Love” and the string-laden “If I’m Not in Love” cement her diva status, while her updates of Robert Johnson’s “Dust My Broom” and “Walkin’ Blues” nod to soul’s roots in the blues.