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If this was a soapy, a voice-over would announce the following right about now: “The role of Katie Melua will now be played by Corinne Bailey Rae.”
Welcome onto the music scene only the fourth female British act in history to have her first album debut at Number One. And rightfully, the Brits were quite taken by her debut album, naming her the number one predicted breakthrough act of 2006 in an annual BBC poll of music critics.
By now everyone knows the first single “Put your records on.” It might as well be the theme tune for You Pick the Mix on Jacaranda 94.2 as evident in the following lyrics: “Girl put your records on, tell me your favourite song, you go ahead let your hair down.” There simply is no pretence on this album or to the Corinne Bailey Rae sound. Just simple, melodic, feel-good grooves…
Brief background on this rising star… went to university for an English Literature degree… began working at a local jazz club… got permission to sing on stage with the jazz band when business was slow… met a saxophone player called Jason Rae, whom she eventually married in 2001 at the age of 22. In her own words, "I was Corinne Bailey. I added on Rae, my husband's name, when I got married… there's no hyphen — stops it being posh!" And that sums up the sound of this album… there simply is no pretence to the Corinne Bailey Rae sound. Just simple, melodic, feel-good grooves… I can just imagine what it must be like catching a live performance of her in an intimate little club somewhere…
Follow-up single “Trouble Sleeping” is even more laid-back than the first one, but confirms she is no one-hit wonder. Stand-out tracks are “Enchanted” and “Till it happens to you.” How can you not love someone who’s so honest in their lyrics:”I know what I said was heat of the moment. There’s a little truth in between the words we spoke and it’s a little late now to fix a heart that’s broken.”
So if you love Katie Melua and Norah Jones, but your ears are desperate for some fresh and downright sexy sounds, put this record on…
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