Retrato en Blanco Y Negro is the latest release by the very talented Valeria Proano. This Ecuador-born resident of Miami has put together one of the most listenable collections of Latin, jazz and pop tunes I have listened to in a long while. What especially draws you to this collection is the rich voice of Ms. Proano. She has the technical skills to execute even the most challenging phrasing and the sensitivity to put her own signature on each and every note. I was pleasantly surprised to see the list of incredible guest musicians on this recording. These included Nestor Torres, one of my favorite flutists, Ray Vega on flugelhorn, Troy Roberts on tenor sax, and Ed Calle on soprano sax. My favorite tracks were the Ecuadorian pasillo "Rosario de Besos" and the beautiful "Soy Pan,Soy Paz,Soy Mas". They are Proano's strength. The arrangements presented Valeria's voice elegantly interspersed with the instruments not so much as the sole vocalist, but as a key element of the ensemble. I know many of these songs well and while I can hear the long list of players who have performed them in the past, Valeria Proano has song them for the first time in her way on this CD and you should hear these songs in her style. A strong, romantic, and passionate performance by a natural voice. Highly recommend...check this one out.