Corinne Bailey Rae’s self-titled debut is evidence that the Brits have invaded our aural palates once again. And once again, it’s a pleasant experience. As R&B aficionados and purists may have been starved for almost a decade, this collection of brilliantly written and arranged tracks is food for the mind, body and soul.

Each song had a variety of spice and flavor, displaying range and several surprising ingredients. Her amuse bouche, is “Like a Star.” This acoustic delicacy is stripped to nearly bare bones and recalls, perhaps, a recipe from old and neo-souls like Billie Holiday and Macy Gray. The song is served with little fan fare and mostly showcases the young artist’s distinguished vocals over an acoustic guitar. It is sufficient to say that this song sets the stage for wanting more.

There are two wild cards on the menu. “Enchantment” lyrically captures a fairy tale and entrancingly employs modern ingredients borrowed from edgy and visionary artists such as Massive Attack and Bjork. One cannot have just one taste of this song, you will find yourself double and triple-dipping into this one while leaning your head back and holding it on your tongue for a while allowing it to linger. The second wild card, “I’d Like To,” has a pungent kick to it and is comparable to a funky cheese. This hip-hop tinged song fuses the traditional R&B recipe of a snappy hook with an infectious groove, but delivers a pungent aftertaste.

Though not my favorite, “Put Your Records On” is ambitiously skillful and cleverly lends itself to being the selection with the most commercial appeal. The song serves to remind her gal pals to relax, chill and simply enjoy life. We could actually all benefit from that message. “Breathless” has the makings for another commercial staple and subjectively captures the wishful transparency one desires when it’s hard to voice to a friend that you have a crush and mere friendship is not enough.

It may be gratuitous to elect “Choux Pastry Heart” for dessert but all desserts are not sweet. “Choux Pastry Heart’s” crisp exterior and moist lining is comparable to the haunting styles of Sarah McLachlan and Tori Amos, but the distinguishing factors are Corinne’s young and fresh approach to the salty subject matter of love gone wrong and more notably the lyrical risks she takes - I’ve never heard the word “gamine” used in a song, and she makes it work!

Corinne’s refreshing menu of delicacies is peppered with rare and homegrown ingredients that are all served buffet style. Help yourself! It is well worth the indulgence.