by Candi Sellers
"Corinne Bailey Rae" is an 8-track CD with a groove similar to Erykah Badu. Corinne manages, with her self title CD, to portray the rhythmical intimacy perfected by the female songwriters of the 1970's. The album's high point is that Corinne exquisitely blends cadence and Blues alongside Jazz to create a slightly funky hip sound uniquely her own. This album also succeeds beautifully in showcasing Corinne's lyrical maturity. Her lines are loaded with wisdom, thoughtfulness, and youth. There is no denying that Corinne comes across---well, as very, very pretty---with a tender feminine flair.
As the oldest of three daughters, Corinne Bailey Rae grew up in a multiple ethnic family in Leeds, England. Her love affair with harmony and song began the moment she picked up her first musical instrument as a small child. After studying classical violin for several years, Corinne's interest began shifting towards vocals. Corinne spent the next few years exploring various musical styles and found Neo-Soul to be the style which would provide her the highest level of fulfillment. And the response has been truly amazing. With her first very limited edition EP "Like a Star" entering the UK Top 40 in November 2005 and the first single proper "Put Your Records On" becoming a Europe-wide smash, Corrine was well on her way. Added to that a mountain of incredible press articles singing her many praises, magazine front covers, topping the BBC poll of Sound of 2006, sold-out tour dates and the kind of radio and TV play that established artists can only dream of.
While British fans have been celebrating Corinne's folk-soul fusion for several years , audiences in the US remained unaware of the enormous talent Corinne possessed. As a matter of fact, Corinne's introduction to the American public came not from radio, but, surprisingly through television. After Corinne's "Like a Star" was played in its entirety on the hit show Grey's Anatomy, and the same song's video was aired on VH1's Sub Soul, patrons of Soul in the United States took notice of this UK singing powerhouse.
In fact, American Soul aficionados immediately began comparing Like a Star to the R&B sound once mastered only by the legendary Billie Holliday. In addition, the tracks Enchantment, Put Your Records On, and Call me When You Get This successfully echoes the hippie-era inspired poetic vibe. With the release of her debut album at the end of February 2006 the rest of the world has become well aware of this brand new superstar, one whose voice will be heard for many years to come.
Corinne Bailey Rae is the perfect summer CD to get lost in∧ to play over and over again. This album transports its listeners from the ho-hum of day-to-day living&to a secluded beach house far-far away from traffic jams, piles of laundry, and the stack of bills still needing to be paid.
Listeners will be inspired to snuggle with lover and to become immersed in this intensely romantic collection. Although the mood slightly changes to a slower, sadder tempo, Corinne manages safeguard the CD's inspirational message of lasting love.
Corinne Bailey Rae creates the perfect ambiance for an intimate dinner for two, with candles burning, and a favorite bottle of wine. In fact, we suggest that you pair Corinne Bailey Rae with the sublime and soulful aged-to-perfection Stellenbosch, South African Pinot. This lush, dense, bittersweet, earthy, funky, smoky wine pairs perfectly with Corinne's own approach to inspirational "old school Blues."
The essence of this CD is one of relaxation and of being in the moment. Fans won't be in a hurry to get up and go---nor will they be in rush for the music to end.
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