Mayte Alguacil - Trav'lin' Light (2017)

"Mayte Alguacil is from Mostoles, a small town just outside Madrid and was trained at the ESMUC Music School in Barcelona. Her record is remarkable: the music comes across as basically simple, with voice and on most tracks just guitar and bass, but it is completely unique and satisfying to the listener. If it were not for the occasional Spanish inflection on certain words you might think that English was Mayte’s first language; she sings so naturally and skilfully. The bad fortune epic Everything Happens To Me is given a heartfelt reading which convinces that she is in tune with every emotion expressed in the lyrics. She is similarly impressive on I’m Old Fashioned, singing with great intimacy and accompanied by just guitar and bass.

Many ingredients are required to make a vocal record as successful as this and Mayte appears to possess them all. A pure, vibrant voice comes first and then an expressive manner and good phrasing. She has these attributes and more and by choosing a sparse backing of just bass and guitar on many selections she enhances the warmth and intimacy. Last but not least comes the choice of material and here the selections can’t be faulted. Most of these standards are associated with star names but Mayte’s versions are all her own -fresh, and owing little or nothing to other vocalists. There is a special richness and warmth of expression in Mayte’s voice and delivery that is rarely encountered. As you will have gathered, this CD is highly recommended." Derek Ansell (September, 2017) Jazz Journal Magazine