Angel in Ballet Shoes

Angel in Ballet Shoes is the debut album from Aurélie; a singer-songwriter from Woking with French nationality. Produced and arranged by Nick Lewis, this is a collection of songs that veer between the starkly beautiful and the eerie.

The project began when Nick heard an awful recording of Aurélie singing some of her songs round a friend?s house. Nick decided that the recording was a terrible injustice to the voice and the voice?s songs and proceeded to make more recordings with her that were unjust; until finally, the recording did justice to the voice.

With influences that range from Massive Attack and Roni Size to PJ Harvey and Jeff Buckley, all the way to Edith Piaf and Tom Waits; this is an eclectic record spanning drum ?n? bass, experimental electronica, natural sounds, jazz, blues, cabaret and classical music that appeals to both young music-heads and old romantics (and any combination of the two).

But what holds the whole album together is the voice. The voice that has been compared to Laurie Anderson, Gwen Stefani, PJ Harvey, Kate Bush: basically the voice that sounds like whoever your favourite singer is. And she will be your favourite singer once you get to know her.

?Recalling the compelling minimalism of Massive Attack at their best with shades of Jeff Buckley for good measure, this is an awesome record.

The mid-tempo title track Angel In Ballet Shoes proves a deceptive opening gambit, for in its wake lies a raft of eerie, yet beautiful chill-out sounds.

Guinard's ethereal vocals are superb throughout and are nothing short of breathtaking in their assured, clear delivery.

"It's been a huge labour of love," says Nick "There would be times where I would wake up thinking - that's the wrong sort of distortion on it. But I've learned so much about production and I am pretty happy with the record."

And well he might be, as the impressive closing track, In The City, fades out, you know you have heard something of very rare quality. If there's any justice, a major label will pick this up. Superb stuff.? -Neill Barston

Official Website Link: http://www.aurelie.co.uk/

Official E-Mail Address: info@causa-sui.co.uk