Corinne Bailey Rae Sets New Release

The Love EP is a five-song collection of covers that Bailey Rae calls an "homage to some of my favorite musicians, as well as a conversation between some of my musical influences."

The Love EP opens with a cover of Prince's "I Wanna Be Your Lover" - one of Bailey Rae's favorite songs by the legendary artist. "I met Prince in London at his show at the O2 Arena," she says. "I was amazed by the gig but even more impressed by the aftershow he did in a small venue where he tore it up on the guitar. I love singing rhythmical music but never seem to write anything like that so getting to do this song was a dream."

Next up is "Low Red Moon," written by former Throwing Muses/Breeders singer Tanya Donelly for her band Belly. "Belly were one of the prime influences on my band Helen," Bailey Rae says. "I was addicted to their song 'Star' as a teenager and learnt loads about guitar playing from listening to them. We have made the song, in my opinion, more aggressive and slightly '60s science fiction."

"Low Red Moon" is followed by Bailey Rae's unique take on the 1978 Bob Marley classic "Is This Love," which cruised up the Urban AC radio chart this fall. "Bob Marley is an incredible songwriter and this is one of my favorites," Bailey Rae says. "I wanted to bring the tempo back to underline the poignancy of the lyric. Marley's music is so influenced by American doo-wop, so I loved that guitarist John McCallum gave it this Hendrixy/Curtis Mayfield sound, two musicians who also brought doo-wop into their own sound."

Bailey Rae also chose to cover "My Love," a No. 1 hit by Paul McCartney & Wings. "I first heard 'My Love' at an event for Paul McCartney at the White House, where I had been invited to play," Bailey Rae says. "A string section played the song and I was struck by the fragility of that ascending melody on the lyric 'My love does it good.' I was also really touched by Stevie Wonder and PaulMcCartney's relationship. When we recorded this song, it was definitely influenced by Stevie's sound."

The Love EP closes with a live version of "Que Sera, Sera" (popularized by Doris Day and Sly Stone) - a song that Bailey Rae and her band have been closing shows with on her recent tour. "I love Sly and the Family Stone's version, how it takes what feels like a nursery rhyme in Doris Day's lovely hands and turns it into a philosophical outcry," she says. "'The future's not ours to see.' Sometimes I attack this lyric angrily, sometimes I'm peaceful and surrendered to it."