From the memorable perfect opening track ("Are You Here") of Corinne Bailey Rae's recently released 2nd album, The Sea, to her excellent closing track, "The Sea," listeners will be mesmerized by what Corinne Bailey Rae has become.  It's been 4 years since her excellent S/T debut was sprung upon an unprepared audience, and she has advanced her art immeasureably since.

Her previous album sold into the stratosphere for good reason.  Corinne Bailey Rae possesses a voice that is rooted in the Soul style of the '70s.  More importantly, her voice is a hint of the great Billie Holiday with it's Jazz tinge.  You get a strong sense of  that in her second song of the album, "I'd Do It All Again."  She slips in a '70s Soul track with "Closer" that doesn't miss a '70s radio tune trick with it's smart horn section.  Mix all of that goodness into an album the quality of The Sea and you have a classic.

If you're up on the many splashes of Billie Holiday comparisons then you're already aware of Madeleine Peyroux, who carries a similar level of Holiday approach that Rae involves herself in.  Corinne Bailey Rae is a natural talent that is on a fast-track to being remembered as an all-time great.  

Song for song, top to bottom, the grace, beauty, and power of The Sea has classic written all over it.  In this day and age when classics are difficult to find, Corrine Bailey Rae reaches deep within her soul to deliver a perfect album that should be remembered for all that it is.