The gloomy chamber jazz-pop of Guatemalan cellist and singer Mabe Fratti, who works in Mexico, has been worth every recommendation since her last album »Se Ve Desde Aquí«. Just last year, she followed it up with her partner and composer Hector Tosta as part of their side project Titanic. Barely half a year later, the next album is here and it is not to be missed. Once again she plays dark music steeped in drama and atmosphere with her fellow musicians. Even if you didn’t know that Arthur Russell is one of her personal heroes, the new album doesn’t try too hard to keep it a secret.
On the very first track, »Kravitz« (yes, named after Lenny), the cello comes in deep and assertive, then dry drums and her beautiful voice join in. The other instruments also work hard. Whether guitar or saxophone, they groan and creak for songs that have a penchant for melody, but then decide to take a detour into left field when the letters »pop« come dangerously near. The album title translates as »A Feeling You Don’t Know«. »Sentir Que No Sabes« easily manages to convey just that.
