Corinne Bailey Rae

2006年2月にリリースされたCorinneBailey Raeのデビュー・セルフ・タイトル・アルバム、待望のリイシュー。
UKアルバムチャートで1位を獲得したこのアルバムは、「Like A Star」、「Trouble Sleeping」、「Put Your Records On」などのトップ40シングルをフィーチャー。
ボーナストラックとして「AnotherRainyDay」も収録。
このアルバムは、英国レコード産業協会(BPI)によってトリプル・プラチナに認定されており、世界中で400万枚以上を売り上げています。
180g重量盤。

When songstress Corinne Bailey Rae released her sashaying single "Put Your Records On" in her native U.K. it was a feel-good adult alternative phenomenon -- a kind of Norah Jones, Joss Stone, David Gray, or Macy Gray phenomenon. One listen to her breakout soft soul anthem and it's easy to hear why, since Rae is a mix of all the above but not a contrived one concocted by some major label's scientist. Her self-titled debut sounds a wee rushed and sometimes meanders its way into background music territory, but this comfortable effort is pleasingly homegrown, warm, and poignant in parts, especially when Rae doesn't weaken her strong lyrics with space-filling "doo de do do do"s and "mmmmmmm"s. So if she doesn't make an Alicia Keys-size splash with her debut, she's still a breath of fresh air, and hardly a one-hit wonder. It's risky to open an album with a lazy ballad, but the great "Like a Star" paints Rae as Billie Holiday's pop-influenced granddaughter. Mellowing Style Council or Brand New Heavies fans should dig "Trouble Sleeping," while "Butterfly" beautifully captures the full range of emotions that come with leaving the nest. The well-written and direct "Butterfly" suggests Rae could release a more accomplished full-length someday, but attention to "feel" often seems like the driving force in this album's creation. Adjust your expectations accordingly and Rae's languid debut is very rewarding. ~ David Jeffries

英BBCが選んだ〈2006年期待の新人No.1〉!　ノラ・ジョーンズをソウルフルにしたようなピュアでナチュラルな音楽性は、シャーデーやデズリーを思わせるもの。印象深い余韻を残す何ともホロ苦い黒糖声と、アコギのバッキングやジャジーなバンドなどさまざまなアレンジで奏でられるラヴソングの数々。無邪気な春風のような“Put Your Records On”、ホロリと切ない“Trouble Sleeping”など、キュンとくる楽曲が揃った和み盤!
bounce (C)池田 貴洋