Word Records artist Salvador anticipates the launch of its third studio project, So Natural, Nov. 9. Described as the band’s most compelling work to date, So Natural represents a collaborative effort and claims the hit song “Heaven” as its debut radio single. Salvador plans to support the release with tour dates in select cities this fall.
The band’s first English-language studio album since Into Motion (2002), So Natural is consistent with Salvador’s trademark Latin-influenced pop sound displayed throughout 11 tracks ranging from high-energy praise anthems to reflective worship ballads. Recorded in both Franklin, Tenn. and Austin, Texas, So Natural features production by Salvador frontman Nic Gonzales, who also co-wrote nearly 40 songs for the record, in cooperation with Chris Rodriguez. Rodriguez, a music veteran, has worked in various capacities with top-notch artists including Shania Twain, Keith Urban, Kenny Loggins, Faith Hill and Amy Grant.
Rodriguez comments, “Salvador remains one of the hardest working and best live acts out there right now….great blend of rock, salsa, blues and always funky. We had the best time recording and everything flowed beautifully. They are committed to their mission of sharing Christ with a dying world, and they do it with joy and a purpose. It’s a pleasure and honor to work with them.”
“The process of writing a record has never been easy for me,” says Gonzales. “I like to think that So Natural was a labor of love. I wrote it during a time when God was really dealing with me in my own walk. However, choosing which songs I wanted on the project was not as difficult a task. I love them all, possibly because they each remind me of God picking me up and dusting me off.”
Recording So Natural was a particularly collaborative effort this time around. Every sound on the album was made by a band member’s own hand, instrument or voice. No additional studio musicians contributed. Shawn McSpadden, sr. vp of A&R for Word Label Group, remarks “Salvador has always been a great live band. This release captures the best of Salvador’s passionate live performance with its variety of man-made and instrumental sounds.”
Also unique to So Natural is a cover of the popular mainstream tune “Heaven” by fellow Latin sensation Los Lonely Boys. “Heaven” will go out to Adult Contemporary and Christian Hit Radio as the project’s debut single Oct.1. Additionally, it will be previewed, along with Salvador’s repertoire of new and classic songs, at venues in California, Arizona and Texas this fall. The “So Natural” tour, with special guest Rachael Lampa, kicks off next month in Chico, Calif. and runs through early November.
Salvador erupted onto the music scene five years ago surrounded by buzz of its soulful music, powerful vocals, and phenomenal live performances. Their widespread appeal to both pop and Latin audiences has kept the band touring an average of 200 dates a year, with appearances at Teen Mania’s Acquire The Fire youth conferences, Promise Keepers events as well as Billy Graham and Franklin Graham Crusades. Salvador now has five records to its credit, including the Spanish-language album Con Poder (2003), which won the 2004 Dove Award for Spanish Language Album of the Year. The band has produced two Top 5 radio hits with “Breathing Life” and “Crucified” in addition to two Billboard Latin Music Award nominations. For more information on Salvador, visit: www.SalvadorLive.com or www.WordRecords.com.
The Word Label Group, a division of Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company, is home to both the Word and Squint record labels. The artist roster heralds some of today’s top Christian music performers and songwriters including Amy Grant, Point of Grace, Jaci Velasquez, Sixpence None The Richer, Building 429, Nicole C. Mullen, Karen Clark Sheard, Randy Travis and American Idol’s George Huff. The Word Label Group leads the industry with over fifty years of music-making history.
