Recuerdo is the fifth release from Toronto’s Amanda Martinez. It’s easy to recognize the melodic elegance for which the singer has been renowned since the start of her career. The arrangements, again, call on a variety of colors judiciously scattered throughout the scores, tinged with gentle melancholy. Trumpet, violin, piano, ukulele, guitar, accordion and even guest singers add a touch of Hebrew, Malagasy and Bamo to an ensemble sung mainly in Spanish. The production sometimes takes Amanda Martinez’s sound into more frankly Latin-pop zones, whereas previous albums essentially sailed in acoustic-folk waters. But these explorations are delicately conducted and not too intrusive, so that anyone who appreciates the Toronto singer’s style will enjoy Recuerdo just as much as her other albums, without losing their bearings. Soothing and very pleasant.
