Transparente
Standing out amid a very strong crop of young new fado singers, Mozambique-born Mariza returns withTransparente, her third album. While her second,Fado Curvo, announced her as a great new voice on the scene, this one reaffirms that flowering promise while expanding the depth of her range. She gets help from great Brazilian cellist, arranger and producer Jacques Morelenbaum, who adds a lush orchestral backdrop to this folksy torch song form, extending the bittersweet melodies even though it does file away some of the edges. No matter, the singer's phrasing and timing are calibrated for drama, and her voice soars with happiness or quivers with passion. Highlights include a panoramic version of the fado traditional "O Silencio da Guitarra" and a small group rendering of "Recusa." Her moving away from the tradition may trouble purist, but this album endears itself easily if given a listen. --Tad Hendrickson