Customer Reviews

Nature's Princess

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

To begin with a digression, I've always found the much-vaunted Brazilian diva Virginia Rodrigues' contralto vocals to be a bit unpleasant and her musical approach to be dull; but I've also wondered if it was *just* her voice that bugged me, or if I might like her better in a less stuffy surrounding. Well, here's the answer. Venezuelan jazz singer Maria Marquez has a remarkable vocal similarity to Rodrigues, but her arrangements are infinitely more varied and adventuresome, and her music is much more interesting. Although ultimately this album was too noodly and "jazzy" for me, it was still pretty engaging, and I would recommend it to folks who appreciate similar efforts by Marlui Miranda or Nana Vasconcelos and Egberto Gismonti. She's aided here by the cream of Northern California's younger generation of Latin Jazz musicians, notably John Santos and Omar Sosa... A strong effort with some nice, lyrical passages.

 A bit bossa nova, a bit jazz, ending with animal sounds in one case - courtesy of percussionist John Santos - and even a plaintive ballad added on its second cut, with a deep, rich voice almost husky in tone, Maria Marquez demonstrates proficiency with Latin jazz tunes from all over the Americas and beyond.

María Márquez is a masterful singer who combines successfully combines jazz sensibilities and arrangements with South American folk music. She is in total control of a very capable and expressive instrument. She will remind many of Nina Simone in sound and sometimes phrasing. She is that good.

Raised in Venezuela, María Márquez resides in Northern California. If she did not live in the entertainment hinterlands, she would likely be much better known. The music on this album is sung in Spanish. Performing in a Latin language certainly limits her ability to gain airplay on many USA jazz radio stations.

Three of the songs were composed by Márquez. Some are South American folk songs. All are sung with commitment, skill, and sensitivity. María Márquez wrote some of the arrangements. She interacts well with her supporting musicians, occasionally using her voice as an instrument providing wordless coloration. There are several fresh moments on this studio CD where it feels as if she is improvising.

Guitar, bass clarinet, violin, sax, accordion, and steel drums are among the varied instruments used. Interestingly, no track uses trumpet and only one has a trombone.

This self-produced CD has an excellent booklet with English translations and helpful background information for each song. Your understanding and appreciation for this strong performer's music will be greatly enhanced if you spend some time with the informative booklet.

Márquez has a rich contralto voice, and she seldom strays from her natural range. She oftentimes uses, particularly in emotional passages, a slight and fairly rapid vibrato that is closer to a 'flutter' than a tremolo. She is a skilled performer in total control of her voice and the musical settings.

This is not a loud or brassy album. The instrumental accompaniment and Márquez's voice are about stories and expressiveness, not volume and frenzy. Highly recommended for Márquez's voice and for her emotional commitment to the lyrics. This is a superb album of sounds and feelings.

"Nature's Princess" is touted as something to do with the singers relationship with nature... This lady needs a producer who is willing to criticize and add to her ideas. It's not that that she is without any talent, but left to her own, she just doesn't explore the potential of her material. This album gets a "B" for boring.