The first time I heard Natalie Brown sing, something in her voice left me speechless; an entrancing voice that spans four and half octaves and bears the mark of hard work.
Now, more than two and a half years later, Brown's talent still impresses me. However, what impresses me even more is the artist's willingness to challenge herself. With her fourth album, she decided to experiment with new sounds and rhythms, and to give her listeners the opportunity to discover a different side of her.
"The Relationship Odyssey" features a series of "conversations and observations about relationships." They are relationships that we have all experienced at some point in our lives and to which we can definitely relate.
This album is the most mature Brown has released so far. There is more diversity in tunes than before. The lyrics are simpler and yet just as effective. And let us not forget the superb vocals, which are more "naked" and poignant, and turn some songs ("La, La, La-la" and "Forever" for example) into instant classics. The backup vocals, in particular, are very nicely done.
Actually, if you pay careful attention, you will hear a subtle but lovely change in Brown's voice. This change is most obvious on songs like "Can't Leave, Can't Stay," "Electricity" and "Fly Bird, Fly," my favourite tracks of the entire album.
"The Relationship Odyssey" is a journey into the mind of an artist who is far from done with great music. I am already looking forward to Brown's next release!
More about "The Relationship Odyssey"
Release date: January 17, 2012
All songs written by Natalie Brown and Jeremy Rwakaara
Lead and background vocals by Natalie Brown
Produced by Jeremy Rwakaara
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Jeremy Rwakaara
Track listing:
- Drifting
- Gotta Let You Know
- Electricity
- Can't Leave, Can't Stay
- Out the Door
- I Apologize
- Backstabber
- La, La, La-La
- Inside Your Soul
- Fly Bird, Fly
- You're So Into You
- Beautiful Boy
- What Am I Doing Here?
Album available for purchase at www.natalie-brown.com and iTunes.
About Natalie Brown
Natalie Brown is a Pop, R&B, Soul vocalist and songwriter currently living in Toronto. Her passion for music was nurtured from a young age by her involvement in theatre, gospel music, creative writing and local session work as a vocalist and writer. After deciding to pursue a professional music career, she moved to California and was selected to sing with internationally acclaimed Gospel recording artist Ron Kenoly during his "Welcome Home" tour in 1996. She then studied with world-renowned vocal instructors Seth Riggs and Dave Stroud.
Brown owns her studio (Studio 302), runs her publishing company, natfunk music (BMI), and co-runs her record label, Identity Music Group, Inc., which was formed in 2001. She has released four albums, including "Let the Candle Burn" and "Random Thoughts."
For more information on Natalie Brown, visit www.natalie-brown.com.
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Cendrine Marrouat may be contacted for potential interviews, reviews and general enquiries at info@cendrinemarrouat.com. Website: www.cendrinemarrouat.com.
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