As much as I like her, I also predict that Emma-Lee risks the same fate as Norah Jones and Katie Melua by being branded as just another dull, modern blues/jazz singer fabricated for a mainstream audience that like to think of themselves as alternative. I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with the mainstream (I’m a Britney and Kylie fan, for goodness sake) but it’s rather sad to see how this genre has been “tainted” by the success of Norah Jones – at first music critics raved about her, but once she became a house hold name she was suddenly vapid. Coldplay are suffering a similar fate within their genre. When Parachutes came out “everybody” loved them, now they’re considered a guilty pleasure because of their world wide appeal.

Anyway, back to the lady in question, Emma-Lee. This young Canadian has gone through quite a lot to get where she is now, full album and all. In 2006 a lump on her thyroid resulted in surgery, risking vocal cord paralysis and then again in 2007, putting her almost completed album on hold once more. Thanks to additional surgeries she recovered and could continue recording, releasing her debut Never Just A Dream in 2008 which quickly gained critical acclaim in Canada.

As mentioned earlier, I like it – it’s a beautiful album that’s both sentimental and playful with its combination of jazz, 50s soul and a modern singer/songwriter sound. Emma-Lee’s vocals show no sign of the hardship they’ve been through, except perhaps in wisdom and appreciation. But as beautiful as it may be, it’s not terribly memorable. After a couple of spins you’ve kind of gotten your fill, ready to move on to something different. Some tracks tend to linger on a little longer though: the sultry “I Bruise Easily” (above video), “That Sinking Feeling” with it’s jazzy sway, the flirty “Jealousy”, the soulful title track and the pretty ballad “Where You Want To Be”. So beautiful, yes. Original, no, but a good investment for those who are looking for a worthy replacement for the likes of Norah Jones, or just some pretty music.

Never Just A Dream is set to be released on Bumstead Records on March 3rd, 2009.

~ “Never Just A Dream” ~