Corinne Bailey Rae (2006)
Corinne Bailey Rae's debut album lights up the Gehlee Tunes sky "Like a Star" with soulful ease and sunlit melodies. Each track is a gentle invitation to unwind, where every note feels like a soft breeze on a summer afternoon. Let this album be your passport to peace, wherever you press play.
Why Listen?
Corinne Bailey Rae’s self-titled debut album glides into our playlist like a sunbeam through a rain-speckled window, effortlessly brightening the room while inviting you to sink into its warmth.
Released in 2006, this record is a gentle revolution in the art of relaxation, a sonic hammock strung between soul, jazz, and pop, swaying with the breeze of Rae’s honeyed vocals. Each track feels like a handwritten letter. Intimate, personal, and delivered with a sincerity that’s as rare as a quiet city street at dawn.
What sets this album apart for music lovers of all stripes is its uncanny ability to sound both familiar and refreshingly new. Critics have praised Rae’s knack for fusing classic soul influences with a modern twist, creating songs that are as comfortable as your favorite sweater but never predictable.
The opening track “Like a Star” floats in on a cloud of acoustic guitar and understated production, Rae’s voice curling around each note with a featherlight touch that’s become her signature. “Put Your Records On” is a sun-dappled stroll through a field of melody, instantly uplifting and universally relatable. A song that feels like a friend’s reassuring arm around your shoulder.
The mixing and mastering on this album are a study in restraint and clarity. There’s a deliberate spaciousness to the sound, allowing Rae’s vocals to shimmer at the forefront while subtle layers of instrumentation—gentle horns, brushed drums, and velvety bass—paint the background with watercolor hues.
The production never crowds the listener; instead, it breathes, inviting you to exhale and let the music settle in your bones. This is the soundtrack for slow mornings, golden hours, and the quiet confidence that comes from knowing you’re exactly where you need to be.
What truly makes Corinne Bailey Rae's debut album a must-have for eclectic music fans is its universal appeal. Whether you’re a devotee of jazz, a soul aficionado, or a pop explorer, this album offers a welcoming embrace.
It’s the rare debut that feels fully formed, radiating an authenticity that’s both soothing and invigorating. A perfect fit for unwinding, studying, or simply letting the world slow down for a while.
Curator's Note:
One of the benefits of running a music blog in the never-ending search for good music, is you stumble across gems like Corinne Bailey Rae once in a while. Been having lots of conversations about music with people, asking for recommendations. My song suggestion algorithm is people-powered, because I run my own Netflix/Spotify media server from home. It's all human curated. Not very efficient, but I like it this way. Asking for music/movie recommendations is a great excuse to chat with people. =)
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GehleeTunes.com is a fan site created by fans, for fans! We’re all about celebrating Gehlee Dangca and her incredible music taste, but we want to make it clear that we’re not affiliated with Gehlee, her management team, or F&F Entertainment. We also don’t own any of the music or content featured here. We simply love it and want to share it with you! If you come across any content that doesn’t sit right with you, please reach out to us — we're here to listen!
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