Search - Maria Marquez :: Nature's Princess

Inventive modern world-jazz

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 09/26/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Hard to Peg

WorldDiscoveries.Net | Petaluma, California | 11/18/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

" 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."