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Artist - Natalia Clavier
Title - Nectar LP
Label - ESL Music
Released - 09.06.08
Posted 30.04.08
Sassy Mediterranean sounding vibes that dips it's toe into the Latin side. The kind of thing that sounds great when you're lazing by the pool in Ibiza or chilling in your back garden at home. Like a European sounding Zero 7 or early Portishead, or a more modern Omara Portuondo, this is the kind of gentle jazz influenced that is lovely to listen to and grows on you with each play. If you ever hover around the 'World music' section you definitely need to check this fresh sounding LP. Personal favourite is currently 'El Arbol' because it has that soulful head nod feel to the beats I love and has some cool scratches too - think El Dummy (a Spanish Portishead) and you're on the right beach. One for the more sophisticated music lover...
Rating - 9/10
Reviewer - PT
Press Release
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, ESL’s first female artist and newest signing
Natalia Clavier was exposed at an early age to a constant stream of music by her
mother, ranging from classical and Argentinean folk to Bob Dylan and Joan Baez,
Spanish singer-songwriters, and soul music from North America. She began singing
in school choirs at the age of 3, and by the time she was 11 she was performing
as a soloist for a state sponsored kids music and theatre show to packed houses
at Teatro de Las Provincias Argentinas, one of the largest concert halls in the
city.
As a teen in drama school studying to be an actress, Natalia would mimic her
favorite pop stars in private. She soon discovered jazz great Sarah Vaughn and
had a new musical hero to admire and a new direction to follow. After a short
time acting with local troupes and companies, she met a variety of musicians and
joined an ethnic/electronic/acoustic outfit called Cosmic Ja-Ja. After some time
performing live in Argentina she moved to greener pastures in Barcelona.
In Barcelona Natalia Clavier immediately hit the jazz circuit and launched
herself into the electronic music scene, contributing vocals to house and techno
singles and even singing live at raves in front of thousands. Quickly
establishing herself in the local scene she was introduced to a young guitarist
and ex-pat from Argentina named Federico Aubele (who had already released his
debut album Gran Hotel Buenos Aires on ESL Music). The two became friends, which
lead to Federico asking her to tour with him - and eventually sing on his new
album Panamericana. They married in March of 2008 in a small ceremony in Buenos
Aires.
While touring across the globe with Federico, Natalia was once again exposed to
new and inspiring sounds, including those of songstress Lhasa de Sala. Having
always sung in languages other than Spanish, Natalia felt a new and irresistible
calling to express herself in her native tongue. With Federico’s help and
support, Natalia composed and recorded an impressive 10 track demo. When she
returned with Federico to ESL Music studios in Washington DC to record vocals
for his sophomore album Panamericana, her demo came into the hands of Eric
Hilton of Thievery Corporation. He agreed to lend his production talents,
re-writing and re-arranging several songs for the album.
Armed with light hearted humility and an angelic voice, Natalia has recorded her
debut full length album, Nectar, with Eric Hilton at the production controls.
The album is built on sensual rhythms and Latin flourishes; be it the steady
thump of “El Arbol”, the soaring majesty of “Azul”, the sly tango of “Ay De Mi”,
or the languid beauty of title track “Nectar”.
