Once upon a time, when Astor Piazzolla came up with his compositions,
several tangueros were quite dismissive: "This is not what we would like
to dance to, this is jazz." Today, he is recognized as one of the
innovators of the Tango Nuevo genre.
When I first heard Anibal Berraute´s CD “As Tangoes By”, I was quite
impressed: Fresh and resolute compositions (seven from Berraute himself),
presented with some jazzy flavors – but definitely contemporary tangos which
hold all the tasty ingredients we would like to hear. The ensemble consisting
of Anibal Berraute (piano), Walter Rios / Yukie Kawanami (bandoneon), Federico
Britos (Violin), Renyel Rivero (Bass), and Tony Trapanoto (Percussion / Drums)
definitely knows how to attract the audience.
If you intend to start listening, you may try “As Tangoes by” (with kind
regards from Casablanca) which is a good example for Berraute´s compositions
with their different facets. The melodic pattern develops with bass and piano,
and attracts with its simple falling cadences played by the bandoneon in the
chorus, changes the atmosphere, just to come back to the main motive and the
beautiful chorus.
One
of my highlights is the contemplative “Romanza”. It pleases with a very
slow pas, and a beautiful melodic pattern played by bandoneon and piano,
carressed by the violin. For me, it catches the mood of the last hours
of a
long day, until we close our eyes to find some rest.
“Tango
en Siete” is different, energetic but discreet, creating a good
atmosphere which invites to dance (although dancers may have a problem
with the
change of binary and ternary beat). “Eelna” is a beautiful vals which
catches us with a fine piano melody (chopinesce, as Berraute suggested),
further
developed by bandoneon and violin, passed back to the piano, and so
forth. The
nostalgic “Milonga En Otoño” has the quality of a Piazzolla song, both
by
composition and arrangement – really moving. You surely have no heart
when you
are not touched by this piece of music
Oh yes, it is true, some songs are in fact somewhat jazzy, for example
Bronisław Kaper´s “On Green Dolphin Strest”. Listen to Keith Jarret´s or Bill
Evan´s version and you may appreciate the tango conversion of this old jazz
standard. Definitely, Berraute´s ensemble plays it like a typical jazz
standard, but you may dance it as a tango, too.
Not too surprisingly, it was the aim of the Argeninia piano player,
composer, arranger and producer Anibal Berraute to combine Piazzolla´s tango
brand with jazz and other flavors of music.
From my side, this “Tango Fusion” deserves much more attention!
EPSA Music (2014)
For more information, visit
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Anibal-Berraute-Tango-Fusion/172279782805427?fref=ts
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