Javier Di Ciriaco: íntimo

Argentine singer-guitar player Javier Di Ciriaco (who is also singer of the Sexteto Milonguero) lives all the words he sings, and he seems to experience all these high emotions of the tango lyrics and makes the audience feel them (listen to his version of Nostalgia by Cobián & Cadicamo). Often enough this may be too much, but he carefully keeps the balance. The singer writes that many years ago, he began singing “with all his senses”, and to sense “the interconnection of body, soul, and the audience”. Intimo – and one may believe it.

The way he enthusiastically manages this wide range of 13 different songs (one is a 4-song potpourri) deserves applause. Apart from classical tangos (i.e., Gardel´s Volver or El dia que me quieras) we also hear beautiful non-tangos such as Zamba para olvidar (by Daniel Toro & Julio Fontana) or Gracias a la vida (by Violeta Parra), but also contemporary pop songs such as Maria Carey´s My all or Elton John´s Sorry seems to be the hardest word with Spanish lyrics – and it works fine. Piazzolla & Ferrer´s Oblivion surprises with an arrangement quite different from what tangophiliacs may expect. Two songs were written by Javier Di Ciriaco and these underline that he is not only an impressive interpret of other composers´ songs, but also a great songwriter (listen to the rocking final song Miradas Perdidas). 

His voice is in the forefront of the mix, the beautifully played piano by Burkhard Heßler dynamically supports his interpretations (in some songs we hear also a guitar played by Di Ciriaco). That´s all - more is not needed to convince the audience. I really like these recordings which are never ‘intrusive’: Both musicians have a very sensitive approach (despite some required pathos here and there). Not to miss his live shows is a must.

Youtube-Video:https://youtu.be/BqyHvaAPpk0?list=PLKEEXAzL0zSUFdBsw2UI32wisDbnOyo5D
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Mosalini Teruggi Cuarteto: Chamuyo

The Mosalini Teruggi Cuarteto is one of the outstanding ensembles of the contemporary tango scene. Juanjo Mosalini (bandoneon), Sébastien Surel (violin), Romain Descharmes (piano) and Leonardo Teruggi (double bass) are brilliant musicians who play with a rich sense for dynamics and with all the tonal colours of a quartet. The 12 compositions on their second album are written by Juanjo Mosalini and Leonardo Teruggi - and they are definitely worth it. It is not easy-listening music to please the dancers, but multifaceted narrative songs located somewhere between tango and chamber music. Virtuosity combines with temperate sensibility to stage this ‘post nuevo style’ music. 
I prefer their ethereal pieces, such as the beautiful “Mar y Sol” and “777”, but “Nada casi”  also attracts me. Mosalini´s “Code 18” and also Teruggi´s “Era de esperar” start with a ‘strumming mandolin’ sound played by the violin, and a haunting melody dominated by the bandoneon and violin. Piano and double-bass give these compositions the necessary structure in the sense of the ensemble. Touching is also Teruggi´s “Milonga del eco” (dedicated to Astor Piazzolla), a highly atmospheric piece of music, starting slowly and thoughtfully, before unfolding to something quite fragile. 
It is wonderful to hear how the four musicians carefully listen to each other and how they uncover the ‘soul’ of these songs, to make them speak to their listeners´ heart.