Corinne Bailey Rae - Black Rainbows (Thirty 
Tigers)
Release Date: Out Now
Now then folks, what we have here is a proper contender for album of the year so sit up straight and pay attention, OK? We get underway with 'A Spell, A Prayer' which slithers and shudders in to life like a Massive Attack track written for a David Lynch film about Ultravox but the song builds with such relentless but gradual intensity that it is almost prog-soul by the time it comes to its natural climax. Title track 'Black Rainbows' starts with a funked up beat and a collection of noises that sound like Jazz being squeezed where it hurts before the song emerges, like a butterfly from a cocoon, in to something gloriously uplifting - albeit with virtually no elements of that famous voice.
On 'Erasure' CBR goes grunge with a dirty guitar sound, thudding drums and a distorted vocal that makes this sound like a basement club on a Thursday night bristling with anger, energy and vitality. 'Earthlings' sounds, well, out of this world with a electronic vibe that is party Krafwerk and part Janell Monae before 'Red Horse' sparkles and shimmers in to life with a vibe that captures looking out over a city a night from a hill that removes you from the smells and the noise enough to enjoy the spectacle. Recent single 'New York Transit Queen' still sounds as effervescent and punky as ever with the hand claps and scuzzed up guitars giving you all the energy need to ride the rails all day long.
As you might have guessed by now, one of the strengths of this album is the brilliant eclecticism as Corinne Bailey Rae hops around her record collection for inspiration and turns her hand to any genre with aplomb. 'He Will Follow You With His Eyes', for example, takes elements of French chic and 60s pop to create a luxurious number while 'Put It Down' moves in to more Bond theme inspired territory with a grand and swaying track that occasionally swings in to modern pop to keep you on your toes.
Penultimate track 'Peach Velvet Sky' is a piano based slice of loveliness that will keep fans of CBR's early material happy and anyone with half an ear will enjoy the sound of her voice roaming all over the song with consummate ease. The album closes on 'Before The Throne Of The Invisible God', a haunting track that lets that creative talent really spread its wings and fly free. Corinne Bailey Rae feels like she's really enjoying her music making and we are privileged to be able to witness that joyfulness.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/corinnebaileyrae
Live Dates:
September 22—Sugar Hill, GA—The Eagle Theater at Sugar HillSeptember 24—Birmingham, AL—Alys Stephens Center at University of AlabamaSeptember 26—New Orleans, LA—Orpheum TheaterSeptember 29—Austin, TX—The Paramount TheatreOctober 1—Houston, TX—Stafford CentreOctober 3—Dallas, TX—Texas TheatreOctober 5—Santa Fe, NM—Lensic Performing Arts CenterOctober 7—Marfa, TX—Saint George Hall UK / IRELAND /SPAIN TOUR DATESOctober 25—London, UK—Ladbroke HallOctober 26—London, UK—Ladbroke HallOctober 28—London, UK—Ladbroke HallOctober 29—Cork City, Ireland—Guinness Cork Jazz FestivalOctober 31—Madrid, Spain—Teatro PavónNovember 1—Barcelona, Spain—Studio P62November 3—Seville, Spain—Cartuja Centre