Denials, Delusions and Decisions. Jaguar Wright couldn't have titled her debut any better — all three of those D's play a prominent role on the album.

Wright, a 20-something Philadelphia soul singer and occasional Roots collaborator, burst from anonymity into hip-hop's limelight after a conveniently timed turn on Jay-Z's Unplugged set last year. Alternating Ella-esque crooning with a guttural growl similar to that of city-mate Bahamadia, Wright may not have stolen the show but she certainly made her presence — and attitude — known. Even when Jay tried to get emotional, Wright spiced up the songs with a bark and bite that too many R&B singers are afraid to put forth.

Unfortunately, she spends the better part of her new album denying that fury. Rather than consistently spit fire — which she does best on the cuts she shares with Roots MC Black Thought — Wright harbors delusions of being a younger Mary J. Blige.

She seems to be uncomfortable in that role. On tracks like "Stay," "Love Need and Want You" and "I Can't Wait," a duet with Bilal, Wright aims to seduce but fails, thanks to a non-existent falsetto and unimaginative beats. Her lyrics on these songs rarely rise above the "love me, want me" style, and it sounds like Wright could have phoned in her vocals — she's as uninspired as the music behind her.

Wright should not be mining Blige's territory. Blige titled her most recent album No More Drama. But Wright is at her best when she's most histrionic.

Her voice is scarred from years of smoking — her first group was named Philly Blunts — and Denials, Delusions and Decisions is a blast when she shows off her rasp.

On the songs where Wright's been aggrieved — "The What If's" and her duets with Black Thought — she snarls and treats expletives like unwanted pennies, tossing them off with abandon. The songs don't just work because Wright's bitter and out for revenge. They're most successful because she's having fun — a sharp contrast to the boring soul stuff.

For example, her duet with Bilal is completely unimaginative and devoid of emotion. It sounds like she and Bilal have never been in the same room. She's bored and itching to get out of the studio — whomever the lover is that she's singing to probably isn't in for a very wild night.

But on "Ain't Nobody Playin'," she hits Black Thought and his new girlfriend with lyrical punches that knock out both her ex and the listener. Considering the energy and bravado she shows off on the song, Black Thought's probably going to come running back.

Ultimately, Wright's got a decision to make. She can keep doing the radio-friendly R&B thing and make passable albums that end up forgotten after several listens.

Or she can be the swaggering, in-your-face woman who kicked Jay-Z's Unplugged up a notch and showed up Black Thought with glee and turn future albums into gems. Here's hoping she chooses the latter.