RECHELLE MALIN

It wouldn’t take a supersleuth to turn up Rechelle Malin; the singer-songwriter has lined up coveted opening slots for such nationally known folk artists as Susan Werner and Allette Brooks. With Famous Girl Detective, Malin drops even more clues about her talent. On such songs as “Ray’s Cafe” and “Martin County,” she proves herself to be a gifted lyricist who is able to reveal her characters’ essence and to meticulously re-create settings. Many of Malin’s tunes have a country twist, which is reinforced by Pat Ireland’s fiddle-playing, while some of the slower songs, such as the title track, hint at Fleetwood Mac-style pop. Female singer-songwriters have carved an impressive niche for themselves in the area during the last year, and Malin’s folksy full-length debut makes for another satisfying discovery.