Think Global: Tango (World Music Network, 2007)
British NGO Oxfam and World Music Network joined forces on Think Global Tango to show some of the best known name sin current Tango music. Not all the new tango stars are here, but the CD covers some of the different styles and trends created by some great musicians living in Argentina and also expatriates.
Tango begins with the distinctive voice of poet Melingo. From there, the CD ventures into instrumental sounds featuring the bandoneón and guitar duo of Osvaldo Montes and Anibal Arias.
Juan Carlos Cáceres is categorized as tango negro (black tango). I’m not sure if that style really exists. In reality, it is a mix of tango with Uruguayan candombe (Afro Uruguayan music).
One of the most beautiful styles is the one practiced by Quinteto Suárez Paz. It derives a lot of its music from the Piazzolla School of tango, combing traditional music with classical music forms.
For a completely different aspect, Otros Aires combines samples and electronic beats, creating a funky danceable sound.
The CD continues with several more traditional performers such as Hugo Diaz, Horacio Molina and 34 Puñaladas, as well as Carlos Libedinsky, a member of Gotan Project. After that, Gustavo Beytelmann provides a solo piano version of tango.
Jaleo Real, from Barcelona, mixes rumba with tango. The liner notes make the assertion that Barcelona is "Europe’s undisputed capital of fusion music" and the band is an example of that sound. Barcelona may have had some brief moments of glory after the Olympics, but the true melting pot is in Madrid, not in provincial Barcelona.
Electronic tango returns with the easy listening sound of Tanghetto, the disco beats of Electronic Tango Group, and the edgy sound of Altertango.
Buy Think Global Tango.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
