HER father is a 60s rock legend and now Natascha Eleonoré is set to make her mark on the music world.

Jonathan Barnes

HER father is a 60s rock legend and now Natascha Eleonoré is set to make her mark on the music world.

But the 25-year-old daughter of Cream star Jack Bruce is determined to do things her own way - and her debut album's funky fusion of soul, reggae and hip-hop is certainly proof of that.

The singer, who performs under the name Aruba Red, has built a reputation on the London music circuit and is looking forward to releasing her first material next month.

“Finishing the album feels like the end of a journey but the beginning of a new chapter. I'm looking forward to people's reactions when they hear it,” said Natascha, who grew up at the family home on the Suffolk/Essex border.

But, despite music being a big part of her upbringing, she originally did not think she would pursue a career in the business.

“I wasn't really a performer when I was younger,” she said. “I didn't really enjoy being in the spotlight and I didn't start singing in front of other people until I was 19 or 20. I had always enjoyed it but it was a mortifying thought to have people watching.

“I was much more into writing, short stories and poems, and I did philosophy and ethics at university - I thought I would go into something like that.”

But music “just kind of happened” to the former Colchester Sixth Form College student, she explained.

“Someone asked me to help them out and sing some songs for a demo they were doing. A few people heard me, and things just came together. As soon as I finally started singing 'live', it really flowed.”

At first, Natascha combined her fledgling music career with a job in children's services at Westminster City Council.

But her singing became her main focus after she began working with Suffolk-raised producer Paradox - real name Adam Nicholas - and was chosen by acclaimed musician-producer Nitin Sawhney as one of 15 Emerging Artists in Residence at London's Southbank Centre, culminating in a performance at the Royal Festival Hall.

She has since performed at the Glastonbury Festival and the Love Music Hate Racism Carnival as well as being featured on Radio 1. Natascha has also recently guested on a track, Last Night to Midnight, on Sawhney's new release London Undersound, an album that also features Sir Paul McCartney.

Natascha chose the alias Aruba Red after an 18th Century Caribbean pirate - and it is also the title of her debut album, which she describes as “really eclectic”.

“It was sent off to (internet music site) iTunes the other day and I had to pick one genre. It was really hard and I had to go for 'unclassifiable',” she said.

“I wanted to create an album that embodied what a lot of people like to listen to and that isn't always just one thing. I hope people are looking for something a bit different and innovative.”

The singer, who is currently playing a string of acoustic gigs with her four-piece band, is also keen to highlight a political message, which rails against war and over-commercialism.

“I just want people to realise that it's really important to be socially aware - just try to take a step back and see what's really going on; to question more and get to the truth.”

Natascha said her father, regarded as one of the best bass players ever, and her mother, Margrit Seyffer, Jack's wife and manager of 26 years, had shown great support to her career.

“My parents have shown me the value of hard work, and understanding that I have to do this on my own. Dad always said 'people may think that because I'm your dad things will happen automatically', but it will only happen if it's right.”

She added: “My dad introduced me to a lot of things, musically and politically, and always encouraged me to read the papers and watch the news; to take notice of what's going on around me. I learned about a lot of things kids my age weren't aware of.”

Jack, 65, who sold 35 million albums alongside Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker in Cream in the 60s and has released 15 solo albums in a 50-year career, said: “I am very, very impressed and proud of Natascha.

“Obviously I'm going to be biased but what I admire about her the most is that she's really done it her own way.

“She wouldn't do anything against her principles. The way I put it is that I talk the talk, but she walks the walk. If there's any justice in this business, she deserves great success.”

The album, Aruba Red, is released through the AWAL (Artists Without A Label) project on September 17 and will also be available on iTunes. For more information go to www.myspace.com/arubaredmusic