June 2000

Nanette Natal
Lose Control
Benyo Music Productions

By Nancy Ann Lee

Vocal chameleon Nanette Natal displays a kittenish quality reminiscent of Eartha Kitt, a gutsy ability to scat, an immersion in rockabilly, blues and funk, and a wide range she exploits with exciting leaps. Peak moments, such as her remake of the pop tune "Be Bop A Lu La," exist among the 10 (mostly) originals compiled from vinyl releases made in the 1980s for her Benyo label. But Natal's kinetic, overly dramatic style and her lack of genuine jazz feeling may offend some listeners.