Corinne Bailey Rae Is Back!

See, now this is the kind of news that just makes me smile. Corinne Bailey Rae first started tugging at my heart strings with her super sunshiney single "Put Your Records On" back in 2006. Following the release of her debut self-titled album, Bailey Rae went straight to #1 one on the UK Album Chart as well as the top of the UK R&B Albums Chart.. The album did amazing well overseas as well, peaking at #4 on the Billboard 200 and has sold over 4 million copies worldwide. Both a critical success as well as a chart success, expectations were high for Bailey Rae's follow up record...but would we ever hear from the talented Grammy-nominated chanteuse again?

Sure, Bailey Rae released a live CD/DVD in 2007 but what about new material!? Well, the tragic death of her husband Jason Rae in March of 2008 seemed to put any future music plans on hold and she sort of disappeared from sight. Well, kids - put your records on because Corinne Bailey Rae is going to be back in 2010 as she prepares to release her first new album in four years! The Sea is set to be released in the UK on February 1st and on February 2nd in the U.S. and was co-produced by Bailey Rae herself along with Steve Brown and Steve Chrisanthou - the latter served as producer throughout much of her debut.

The new album will see a departure from the happy and carefree sounds that filled up her self titled debut, instead replacing happiness with the more melancholy themes of loss and grief. Totally understandable. Bailey Rae has had a rough couple of years and has most likely had time to do a lot of soul searching and writing about her feelings. Despite the depressing undertones of the new album, "a sense of beauty and wonder ultimately radiates from the album’s dark corners," according to a press release. Billboard.com reports that "the breezy pop soul" of her debut have all been replaced with more "deeply personal songs."

“There is something miraculous that pushes you along, makes you keep going, makes
you carry on. It’s really about the mystery of that. In fact, the whole album is about that in a way; it’s about loss but it’s also about hope, about keeping going and trying to find that beauty,”
Bailey Rae said in an interview with the U.K.’s Observer Music Monthly back in October.


During her first major live performance since the death of her husband, Bailey Rae debuted songs from The Sea at The Tabernacle in West London on November 23rd. According to Billboard, highlights include emotional ballads ("I'd Like To Call It Beauty" & "I'd Do It All Again"), an up-tempo number likely to be the album's first single, called "Paris Nights & New York Mornings." Also straying away from the sounds of her last album are a couple of songs with "jazz and soul touches augmented by a rockier sound" ("Are You Here?" and "Paper Dolls"). Balancing out the set, Rae incorporated 3 of her hits - "Like a Star" "Put Your Records On" and "Til It Happens to You."

Whatever soulful sounds come out of Corinne Bailey Rae, it's evident that she has been missed by her fans (myself included). Playing such an intimate gig allowed for the fans in attendance to send her lots of love up onto the stage, with one fan shouting "We missed you!." Bailey Rae replied - "I missed you too." Indeed. Welcome back, love.

Check out Corinne Bailey Rae on the web:
Official Site//MySpace//Facebook// YouTube//Twitter

**GIVEAWAY CLOSED**

Well this is a first. A GIVEAWAY on my blog! How exciting. The good people at Miles High Productions (a publicity firm handling promotions and marketing for artists like Kristine W, Lita Ford as well as up & coming talent Jimmie Allen) contacted to see if my readers would like an opportunity to win one of three copies the November 2009 issue of Z!nk Magazine, autographed by none other than dance diva extraordinaire Erika Jayne! Um - YES PLEASE!

Z!nk is a New York-based fashion, beauty, arts & entertainment magazine, the November cover of which features the lovely Jayne as photographed by Chloe Crespi and styled by Guillaume Boulez. The photos are absolutely stunning! Take a look at some of the shots below AND check out this cool behind-the-scenes blog by Troy Jensen, Erika's makeup artist on the shoot.

Erika Jayne, who's had major success on the Billboard Dance Charts (with "Roller Coaster," "Stars" & "Give You Everything") is a super-talented, super beautiful singer who deserves to hit the big time - all formats - as far as I'm concerned. Shot, wearing everything from Yves Saint Laurent and Max Azria to Gucci and Roberto Cavalli, Jayne shines in these pictures. My only complaint - I wish there was more of an interview. Oh well! I'll take what I can get of this beauty.


Erika Jayne's album, Pretty Mess, dropped this past summer and while there is still no official word as to what the next single will be, there are apparently rumblings around town that it might be her cover of "Sex Shooter," originally by Apollonia 6. God, I hope this is true. If you'll recall from my review, "Sex Shooter" was one of the standout tracks in my humble opinion. Remixes for that track would be hot, and no doubt Jayne's 4th number one. Another possible single is the album's title track, "Pretty Mess" which DJ/Remixer/Producer Tracy Young is remixing, per her official e-newsletter. Whatever Jayne releases as her next single, it's no doubt going to be heating up the dance charts. Alright - as far as the giveaway goes, you have until December 24th to enter so make sure you check out the details below. Good luck!

The Details:

I will be giving away 3 copies of the November 2009 issue of Z!nk Magazine, personally autographed by Erika Jayne. You have until December 24th 2009 to enter. Three winners will be chosen at random (via Random.org) at midnight on December 10th.

How To Enter:

Become a follower of Music Is My King Size Bed and
leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite track off of Pretty Mess

Extra Entries:

Follow me on Twitter and Tweet about the giveaway (if you're already following me - tell me and let me know that you've Tweeted)

Check out Erika Jayne on the web:
Official Site//MySpace//Facebook//Twitter//YouTube