Natty
American-born/British-bred reggae singer Natty is known for his soulful blend of pop, roots reggae, and R&B, which he has dubbed future roots. He first broke through with singles like "Badman," "Cold Town," and "July," which helped propel his debut album, Man Like I, into the U.K. Albums Chart. He has continued to explore his reggae fusion style, as on 2012's Out of Fire, 2016's Release the Fear, and singles like 2024's "Ascension."
Born Alexander Akiloe Philip Modiano in 1963 in San Francisco, California, Natty moved with his family to North London at a very young age. There, he grew up with David Bowie, Pink Floyd, and Joy Division records in the house along with LPs from Bob Marley, Lee Perry, Sizzla, and other reggae artists who represented his family's Jamaican roots. His teen years brought an appreciation of hip-hop acts like Public Enemy and Slum Village, and when the time came for him to think about a career, music seemed the best choice. He began by working in a recording studio, where he would make tea, run errands, and absorb as much as he could. Natty learned how to mix and engineer thanks to the studio, but on his own he had begun to write songs and was working on his guitar playing and voice. When he began playing open-mike nights around London, his easygoing sound and socially conscious lyrics drew comparisons to Ben Harper and Tarrus Riley, while his genre-blending crossover potential reminded the U.K. press of Finley Quaye and Eagle-Eye Cherry. He soon helped form the Vibes & Pressure posse, a loose collection of singers, players, DJs, and artists (including the popular Trojan Sound System). In 2007 Vibes & Pressure spawned a label of the same name and released Natty's debut double-A-sided single "Badmind"/"Camden Rox." One more track, "Cold Town," would appear on the imprint before major-label Atlantic came calling with a record deal. His next U.K. single, "July," would become the perfect choice for summer 2008, propelled up the charts by an appearance on the television program Later with Jools Holland. His debut album, Man I Like, appeared in July in his homeland, with a U.S. release following a month later. It peaked at 21 on the U.K. Albums chart.
In 2011, Natty opened for Ziggy Marley on his North American tour. A mini-album, Out of Fire, arrived in 2012. In February 2016, he delivered his sophomore full-length, Release the Fear, which introduced his backing band the Rebelship. Included on the album was the previously released single "Change," featuring Alborosie and Busy Signal. Also included was the title track featuring George the Poet. In 2018, Natty marked the tenth anniversary of his debut with a special edition of Man Like I&I. The soulful and uplifting single "Ascencion" appeared in March 2024.
© Matt Collar & David Jeffries /TiVo
-
Man Like I
Alternativ und Indie - Erschienen bei EastWest U.K. am 14.07.2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Bedroom Eyes (iTunes)
Alternativ und Indie - Erschienen bei Atlantic Records UK am 17.10.2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Word & Sound
Natty, benjamin zephaniah, Mala
Dance - Erschienen bei I & I Music am 25.10.2019
24-Bit 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Release the Fear
Reggae - Erschienen bei Vibes and Pressure am 26.02.2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Man Like I&I (Special 10th Anniversary Edition)
Reggae - Erschienen bei Vibes and Pressure am 19.10.2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Badman (Rastafari mix)
Reggae - Erschienen bei Vibes and Pressure am 07.09.2018
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Out of Fire
Reggae - Erschienen bei Vibes and Pressure am 18.11.2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
July (iTunes)
Alternativ und Indie - Erschienen bei Atlantic Records UK am 18.07.2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Strange Encounters
Ska & Rocksteady - Erschienen bei 2797683 Records DK am 09.01.2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Toi et Moi (Version Nakidim)
Französischer Chanson - Erschienen bei Tei Prod am 08.03.2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
With You
Verschiedenes - Erschienen bei Ployco Limited am 05.01.2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
-
-