Graciano 4 Cuarteto: Alquimia

The quartet consists of Julián Graciano (7-string guitar), Amijai Shalev (Bandoneón), Manuel Masetti (Classical Guitar) and Pablo Andrés Giordano (Double bass), and they are playing instrumental tangos written by Julián Graciano. Two guitars are not a usual cast in tango ensembles, and thus the listeners should expect a different set of music. Some of ten songs the quartet present are aiming at the jazz scene. I prefer the more atmospheric songs such as “Infancia” or Un tal Bach” (with the full resonance of the 7-string guitar), while “Punk Tango” or “Buenos Aires Negra” are too stressful for me. Also the slow “Medianoche la ciudad” has its beauty; the harmonic progressions are rather timid and groping, quite untypically for a busy city at night. This song is consequently followed by “Amanece la ciudad”; the hectic city is awakening and this is the music, too.

The musicians are virtuous, by no means. The songs have strong roots in the vamping jazz tradition, but they cannot ignore their familiar affairs with the tango tradition. If you like excellent guitar music with some bandoneón flavor, you will be perfect here.

Contact: www.graciano4cuarteto.com