Corinne Bailey Rae - Live in New York [Purple Marble]

Corinne Bailey Rae's Live in New York catches the Leeds singer at the height of her breakout, on a purple marble pressing that suits its warm, glowing mood.

Her 2006 self-titled debut turned Bailey Rae into an international star almost overnight, its blend of soul, jazz and folk-pop winning over listeners who had rarely heard anything so unhurried and sunny. This set, released in 2007, shows how naturally those songs bloomed on stage with a sympathetic band behind her.

"Put Your Records On" becomes a gentle, swaying singalong, and "Like a Star" keeps all the intimacy of the studio version, her voice floating with barely a hint of effort. The real surprise is a heartfelt cover of Led Zeppelin's "Since I've Been Loving You", which shows the depth and grit hiding beneath the sweetness.

Her phrasing is effortless throughout, playful one moment and achingly tender the next, and the arrangements leave space for every breath and inflection.

It is a lovely snapshot of an artist who would later push into bolder, more experimental territory, and a reminder of why that debut struck such a chord with so many people. Drop the needle, dim the lights and let the glow fill the room.