STYLE: MOR / Soft Pop RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 138658-21872 LABEL: Tune Core 610370621868 FORMAT: CD Album RELEASE DATE: 2012-11-16 RRP: £9.99
Reviewed by Stephen Luff
Ana may be a new name to most, however in her home country, Portugal, she released a live recording with her church and a solo album ('Tocar Em Ti') to critical acclaim in 2004. Since then she moved to London and studied Communications and Psychology. Currently serving as part of Hillsong in London, she released this, her first worldwide album, in 2012. Within a few minutes on 'Echoes Of Grace' two things become very apparent. Ana has a beautiful voice (she is also a qualified vocal coach), gently infusing songs that would fit into the easy listening category, and secondly, her piano playing is sublime, blending jazz and soul styles without effort. The songs range from beautiful ballads "Echoes In The Silence", evergreen hymns like "Be Thou My Vision" and gentle pop songs such as "You And Me". With repeated listening you get the impression that Ana is very comfortable with these musical styles. This is late night listening at its best.
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Product Description
Echoes of Grace will take you on a journey through your senses and help you to escape, pause and reflect. The singer/songwriter Ana Loback shares her real stories and worship moments through melodies that are wrapped up in beautiful organic backdrops and warm acoustics, punctuated with the sounds of the upright piano, the cello and the flute.
This is not your typical Christian album. Echoes of Grace has a distinctive flavour with the unique perspective of Portuguese-born Ana Loback who lives in London, UK and has been singing and writing songs on her piano since an early age.
The pop accents are present in this album, with East London producer Nathaniel "DetoNate" Ledwidge in his element here, "colouring" Ana's songs with the urban edge and creativity that have earned him a place playing with some of the best artists in the world.
Echoes of Grace also offers different layers to be discovered through time, with world-music touches from Fado and other influences from Ana's heritage in traditional Portuguese music, which are accomplished with the help of the Portuguese musician and prolific producer Ruben Alves, considered one of the best musicians of his generation in his home country.
Echoes of Grace was recorded in two completely different cities: the magical and historic Sintra in Portugal, protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, and the musical hub and vibrant city of London in the UK. This album represents the fusion of these two worlds, the traditional and the modern, brought together by Ana in an honest and unique way.
"Echoes are a series of sounds caused by the reflection of sound waves from a surface back to the listener. The revelation of the grace of God has inspired me to write these songs that are like echoes reflected in my spirit, a worship response and a constant reminder of the beauty of God's love for us."