Born
in West Berlin and now residing in the UK Natalie's new
album is a truly cosmopolitan eclectic affair reflecting her
international upbringing. Never far away from the
proceedings are her jazz roots. When she moved to the UK ,
Natalie enrolled in the prestigious Guildhall School of
music and was the first person to be awarded a BA degree in
Jazz music. Thus this is the real thing.
The album though is much
more than an outing in jazz. The first single 'This Girl' is
well produced pop/soul and then there is the neo-soul of '
Butterfly' and 'Does it feel good'. Her vocal style has
a wide range which is particularly evident on the Orchestral
'Psychedelic Love' complete with the live strings of the
Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra. It's the soul jazz numbers
though that appeal the most and at the forefront
is the groove laden 'You don't know' with it's jumpy beats,
scat vocals and haunting background flute.If that's not
enough the flute is then brought to the fore for some
serious improvisation to end the track. The only complaint
is that the track fades too quickly!
This is without doubt an album that will appeal to
lovers of real music and is up there as a contender for
album of the year. Real class in all departments from a
major talent that should begin to get the world-wide respect
that she deserves.
