The first studio album Lizz Wright released on her Blues & Greens label, Shadow also marks the singer's 25th year as a professional artist. Where 2017's Grace was a covers-oriented set produced by Joe Henry, this incorporates a higher percentage of originals and sees guitarist Chris Bruce tighten his bond with Wright as producer. Wright co-wrote five of the 11 songs, including "Root of Mercy," an airy ballad full of rich imagery that honors the memory of her grandmother. The blues is more present here than it was on Grace, epitomized by the longing "Your Love," where Meshell Ndegeocello's bass provides the musculature and Brandee Younger's ripples of harp accentuate Wright's hopefulness. Another bluesy original that elegantly aches, "Sparrow," draws a link to 2005's Dreaming Wide Awake -- on which Wright covered Ella Jenkins' "Wake Up Little Sparrow" -- and features Angélique Kidjo in a 100-percent-connected supporting role. Violinists Trina Basu and Arun Ramamurthy make equally valuable contributions to a restrained and powerful rendering of Caitlin Canty's "Lost in the Valley." The greatest testament to Wright's ability to combine burning passion and supreme nuance might be her version of Sandy Denny's "Who Knows Where the Time Goes," another highlight. ~ Andy Kellman