It seemed like only yesterday that we saw fresh faced Leeds singer Corinne Bailey Rae burst onto the scene. Her self-titled debut album, laced with pop hits “Like A Star,” and the empowering “Put Your Records On,” made her a critical and commercial darling.

After experiencing the death of her husband, it seemed like Corrinne would be out of the limelight for good. But late last year, she emerged on via the Internet to announce her return, followed shortly by her emotional appearance on Later With Jools Holland singing “I’d Do It All Again,” which was written two months before the death of her husband.

Her sophomore album, titled The Sea, is stronger, more mature, and more refined than her previous effort. The album begins heavy, with the guitar-driven “Are You Here,” and “All Again,” and the “blood on the streets” reference in the spooky “Love’s On Its Way” doesn’t recall the sunny Corinne of the past. However The Sea isn’t as gloomy and dark as a London street. Upbeat and funky tracks like “The Blackest Lily” (think of a Lenny Kravitz track with female vocals), and “Paris Nights New York Mornings,” will most certainly get you dancing.

Rae also explores new territory on this project. The uber-soulful “Closer,” is Corrinne’s attempt at 70′s inspired US R&B, and the listener almost witness her shed her indie rock roots and transform into a sexy female soul icon, while tracks like the organ-laced “I Would Like To Call It Beauty,”and “Diving for Hearts” takes her into a new world entirely.

Even though the album blends several different styles together, the mood and feel of the project remains consistent. Each song, though different, is a well crafted and well written masterpiece, with inspirations from the past yet, forward facing. While most American pop females seem like they were created in a marketing lab (Ke$ha, cough), Corrinne’s second album is proving that the the UK female renaissance started earlier this decade is still strong.

This track is one of the most beautiful things that I’ve heard all year. It’s passionate, soulful, and downright heartwarming. There is a sheer beauty and simplicity that seems to be lacking in most music today. I like the acoustic version much better, but this studio version is growing on me as well. Check it.

6.) Dr. Dre – Detox

Slated for release ever since 2004, Detox has had a default slot on everybody’s anticipated album list for almost half a decade. 2010 is supposed to be the year. Yes, I’ll believe it when I see it, but my sources say it’s true. Will Dre go the Jay-Z “old man” route and school the youngin’s? Or will he take new rappers like Freddie Gibbs and Nipsey Hussle under his wing like he did with a young Snoop Dog? Only time will tell.

5.) Big Boi – Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty

Expected to drop in 2009, Big Boi’s first official solo release has been shelved for the better part of this year. Even though Royal Flush received amazing buzz on the Internets, and they actually filmed a video for “Somethin’ Gotta Give,” Outkast fans have been left waiting. All is not lost: Big Boi has been touring the country for the past few months, and he just dropped a new track, “Shine Blockas”, with Gucci Mane. All is not lost.

4.) Lupe Fiasco – Lasers

Ever since Lupe dropped his Grammy nominated album, The Cool, the Chicago rapper has been somewhat of a mystery. I truly believe that Lupe is confused and fustrated. He’s easily one of the best MC’s this decade but he never got the respect from the old hip-hop crowd that he deserved, and the new school’s lack of respect for lyricism won’t help him either. However, as his freestyle rant at MTV’s “hottest” rapper list would show us, he is still hungry, and hopefully he will be out for blood in 2010.

3.) Diddy – Last Train To Paris

This album will either be a game changer, or the biggest bust of 2010. Hyped for almost all of 2009, via Diddy’s Twitter, a Felix The Housecat produced mixtape, and an MTV show, the electro-tinged Last Train to Paris is a concept album, which follows your boy has he chases a girl from London to the French capital. Will it be too European and avant-garde for American audiences? Possibly. Or it could be the next 808s and Heartbreak. It will all be revealed next year.

2.) Corinne Bailey Rae – The Sea

After dropping the single Like A Star and becoming a commercial and critical darling 2006, Ms. Rae simply dropped off the face of the earth. The sudden death of her husband last year kept Rae out of the public eye, however a few weeks ago, she posted a video on her site, detailing her comeback. Shortly thereafter she made appearances on UK television with her newest single “I’d Do It All Again”. The Sea, promises to be a deeply personal album, dedicated to her husband, and fitting follow-up t0 her self-titiled debut.

1. ) Sade – Soldier of Love

Yes, this one is a no brainer. I mean, come on, it’s the first album from Sade in 10 years!!!! Nuff said.

It’s good to have a true original back in the limelight. At 50, Ms. Adu has still “got it,” and during her almost 30 year career she has not yet disappointed me. I will be first in line to cop this for sure.

BONUS – Other albums that are eagerly anticipated:
RJD2 – The Colossus
Hot Chip – One Life Stand
Vampire Weekend – Contra
Radiohead (rumored)