Corinne Bailey Rae – ‘Put Your Records On’ (EMI) Released 20/02/06

In which Ms Rae manages to convince us we’re sunbathing in our back garden in the middle of July instead of staring out of the window at a bleak-looking Capital of Culture. Soulful grooves spin away smoothly, Corinne purrs pretty melodies while coyly telling us to let our hair down, and a nation, as one, reaches for the Thomson brochures. This is pure afternoon Radio 2 territory – and we’re talking Steve Wright, not Jeremy Vine – and is probably a bit too nice for it’s own good, but a sun-soaked slice of 100 per cent loveliness nevertheless.