Steve Guttenberg: Cantos de Agua Dulce, is your third recording, but it’s also your first audiophile recording. What was that like?

Marta Gomez: The other two CDs were home recordings, but I overdubbed my background vocals on those songs. For the Chesky sessions, we did the whole thing live at Saint Peters church. My guitarist, Julio Santillan, was so happy because he could hear the true sound of his guitar, without any cables or anything. Recording live added energy to the music, it was amazing!

SG: Did you have to prepare your musicians for the “live” session?

MG: No, we’ve played together as a group for the last five years, and we’ve played most of the songs on this new CD for over a year. It was great that David (Chesky) gave us the freedom to do whatever we wanted. Some producers just say things because they are the producer and have to talk, but David isn’t like that. If he doesn’t have anything to say, he’s quiet. When he had something to say, he was right.

SG: How would you describe your musical style?

MG: South-American jazz, with pop and folk influences – whatever that means! Some people say I’m a Latin Norah Jones.

SG: Most of the songs on the CD are your own, but you didn’t write, “Song of the Full Moon” . . .

MG: Right, we did it for the first time at the session. It’s usually played with a Venezuelan rhythm, but I wanted to change it a little so I used more of a Columbian vibe, with just my voice and percussion.

SG: . . .And no guitars or other instruments, it’s quite beautiful. I hope you’re going to make another record for Chesky.

MG: Cantos de Agua Dulce is the first of three Cheskys. I already have six songs ready for next year’s record, and I have to start composing more now.

SG: Thanks!