Natty has today released his new album titled ‘The Divine Trinity’. Roots and Reggae are given yet another talented voice for the mainstream with the retainment of all that is divine and everything that is endearing about this world music, or, music for the world. You decide.
Beautifully crafted with an originality that matches only with Natty’s weathered and ranging vocals, ‘The Devine Trinity’ is a collection of songs that take you to your special place while letting you know how special you are and how wonderful music can be when it is done just right.
Check out our other features with Natty HERE.
About Natty
For Natty, music isn’t just pleasure, it is also a healing power. The London-raised singer-songwriter has been on a remarkable journey of creative and personal discovery in recent years, moving his partner and children to rural Jamaica to live off-grid and off the land, while delving deep into studies on music’s mental and physiological properties – its capacity to move us both emotionally and physically. “I’m living a whole new life, taking things slower and making more space for the inspiration to flow,” he says. “That’s all worked its way into the music, which I’m making with a new purpose of healing through sound”.
Dubbed a ‘soul-reggae crossover sensation’ by The Telegraph, Natty (San Francisco born, London raised) began his career in music as a studio engineer working with everyone from Razorlight to Nile Rogers and Duran Duran. His solo career erupted in the mid-00s after a handful of spirited performances at local open mic nights caused an A&R frenzy and ultimate signing to Atlantic Records. His ensuing 2008 debut album, Man Like I, spawned reggae crossover hits like the infectious ‘Bedroom Eyes’ and ‘July’ and reached the UK Top 20, while follow-up records 2012’s Out of Fire and 2016’s Release the Fear cemented his talent for distinctive and soulful songwriting. Natty has since travelled the world on extensive tours, sharing stages with the likes of Mos Def, Nitin Sawhney, Baba Maal and Ziggy Marley. Natty also played a memorable performance at the UN General Assembly for World Humanitarian Day. Performing with Beyoncé, Natty opened up the event which reached one billion people in one day.
Across the nine tracks on The Divine Trinity, Natty employs his trademark vocal power and uplifting melodies to explore everything from earthy funk grooves to guitar-strummed yearning, emphatic spoken word entreaties and spacious, dubbed-out reggae. “There’s so much that I’ve never done before in this record,” he explains. “We have a song in 5/4, inspired by my time learning music in Zimbabwe, as well as sound bowls, the song of the crickets from the land we live on in Jamaica and hand drums from all over. Its ancient frequencies combined with classic songwriting, allowing people to tune into the power of music.”
The new album is also packed with this tranquil and therapeutic intention. Initially recorded live with his band in the same room, to “capture the magical synergy of people creating in the same place at the same time,” Natty then completed the post-production on the tracks alone and sequenced the record to align with the varying elements of life’s spiritual trinities. Split into three suites of three compositions each, The Divine Trinity moves from honoring children, women and men, to evoking the heart, mind and soul, before closing on the power of earth, air and water – mirroring a route from the base chakras in the body to the heart, mind and soul. Opening track, ‘Mountains’, sets the tone with its gently harmonising bass frequencies beneath Natty’s ecstatic falsetto, written in tribute to his children. While ‘Ascension’ employs tablas, double bass and meandering feedback-laden guitars over a thumping groove that anchors Natty’s overarching thesis for the album. Other highlights on the album include ‘Hurt Not The Earth’, which adapts a 1978 track from seminal reggae artist Little Roy into an infectiously undulating new arrangement, featuring formative reggae band The Rasites and newly recorded vocals from Roy himself pairing with Natty’s fierce, soaring melody.
Yet, it was only in the aftermath of his last album, Release the Fear, that Natty found himself on a new musical path. “Two things happened on the tour for that album that really showed me the healing potential of music,” he says. “We had one gig where a person who had been in a wheelchair for nine years got up and started dancing, which was really emotional. Not long after that another woman came up to me at a show to say that my song ‘I’m Alive’ convinced her not to end her own life. It really made me see how much music can affect people on a fundamental level.”
Determined to learn more about the possibilities of sound healing, Natty immersed himself in the study of disciplines utilised in healing and therapy. He lead a group to the Amazon rainforest, learning about sound alchemy under Shaman Rufino. He also explored ancient Ayurveda, as well as the teachings found in Siddha records, the spiritual practice of Nyahbingi chanting and the traditions of Sangoma healing.
With plans to take The Divine Trinity on the road and present this music as a unique mind and body live experience, featuring cymatic visuals combined with Natty’s extended arrangements, it seems as if this remarkable record is only the beginning of a new calling for the shapeshifting artist. “I’m on a mission to show the listeners what sound can do,” he says. “From our cells to our souls, I want to take everyone on this incredible journey with me.” Ears open wide, we are ready for the ride.
LINKS:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2bYR6To8Z49UmceWctNMIb
https://www.instagram.com/nattymusic/
https://www.facebook.com/nattyofficial
https://www.youtube.com/@VibesandPressure
