Rosana Laudani and Carlos Libedinsky: “Otra Luna”

So far Carlos Libedinsky´s Narcotango was an outstanding instrumental project with only some rare vocal flavors of the singer Rosana Laudani. While he was one of the early pioneers in the genre called “electro tango”, Narcotango´s songs are definitely different from several others who simply compile some uninspired grooves with weak melodic structures. Most of Narcotango´s songs have wonderful melodies and good groves, while their last album Cuenco (2013) continued what started with Limanueva (2010) and Libedinsky´s new band mates, Fernando del Castillo, Marcelo Toth and Mariano Castro, i.e., more jazzy arrangements and a lot of room for improvisation. For me, with their approach to music Narcotango goes beyond the boundaries of what tango has to be or should be.

Now in 2014, completely different from Narcotango, Carlos Libedinsky performed with the singer (and also his wife) Rosana Laudani classical songs from Anibal Troilo, Lucio Demare, Juan Carlos Cobián, José´Dames and Homero Manzi, but also from modern composers such as Fito Paez and Liliana Felipe, and three of his own songs – all with lyrics, and Libedinsky´s bandoneon as main instrument.  

Most of the 10 interpretations and arrangements are very atmospheric rather than straight forward (the only exception is Libedinsky´s grooving composition “Plano seuencia”). In fact, Carlos would confirm the suggestion that this duo project is intended for listening and seeing. “We are very intense on stage”, he stated – and it is easy to believe that these songs unfold a very special and intensive atmosphere.

Rosana explained that - after a career as actress and singer in musicals - meeting in music with Carlos and his bandoneon was a “new and fascinating experience”. Moreover, she says that she is convinced that their instruments vocals and bandoneon “were chosen before we ourselves realize of that `we did´ when we choose a song to share”.

When asked about the background of this new project, Carlos Libedinsky stated, “When I played guitar with Rosana, we didn’t have the connection we needed to experiment. But when I play bandoneon at home, the experience becomes very intense between us, as artists and also as a couple. This was a great challenge for me, because a duo of voice and bandoneon is not very typical, and it encouraged me to experiment with different possibilities of this incredible instrument. This specific sound gave Rosana a new atmosphere to explore her voice.”

Most songs start very intimate, very slow and with only a few melodic lines and harmonies played by the bandoneon. Libedinsky used the bandoneon rather as a flavor than a dominant instrument. Listen to “Un vestido y un amor” by Fito Paez, and you know what I mean. Later on, a bass played by Horacio Mono Hurtado, supports the harmonic and rhythmic structure of this wonderful song, and a string quartet lets it shine. Very moving!

The CD opens with one of Carlos Libedinsky´s most impressing instrumental songs from 2003´s album “Otra luna”, now with lyrics and a new arrangement, i.e., vocals, bandoneon, piano, bass and gentle drums. This song might be seen as a blue print for the underlying concept to present the songs as highly reduced versions, and they succeed to keep the listeners attracted, even the strict duo versions are fascinating. This acclamation can be ascribed also to Rosana Laudani. She is singing without any pathos or dramatic attitude – instead, simple, candid and respectful towards the songs. This natural approach convinces.

It was their Argentinian producer and arranger, Mariano Agustin Fernandez, who took the concept of their way to interpret the songs, and decided which additional flavors would fit best (i.e., piano, guitar, double bass, drums, or strings). They all are convincing in their specific `clothes´ - simple but not mean.

This duo is not begging for applause, they deserve it!

Booking info: laudanilibedinsky@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/RosanaLaudaniCarlosLibedinsky

A shorter version of this review appeared in the German language quarterly Tangodanza (issue 2/2015)
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Ariel Ardit: „Ni más ni menos“

Thirteen opportunities to enjoy Ariel Ardit´s wonderful and sentiment interpretations of classic songs from the “Golden Age” of Argentine tango music (some made popular by orchestras of Pedro Laurenz, Osvaldo Pugliese, Horacio Salgán, Carlos Di Sarli, Aníbal Troilo and other).  
The former singer of the Orquesta "El Arranque" surely is an outstanding vocalist with a warm timbre, perfoming with elegant grandessa, and gentle passion. Whatever he sings, it is beautiful – a bit old-fashioned, but in a good way to feel `at home´. 

The music, published in 2008, lives by the great musicians, Andrés Linetzky (piano), Gustavo Mule (violin), Nicolás Capsitsky (bandoneon) and Pablo Chaile (double bass), and by its transparent arrangements (seven from Andrés Linetzky). Although the vocals are clearly in the foreground, the instruments are not simply ornamentation – they entrain, they slow down, they move forward, and they let the songs shine, particularly when they take over the melody after the verses.

For me, one of my favorite albums! Whenever I listen, it makes me smile. - “Nothing more - and nothing less.”  (www.arielardit.com.ar)

Yasmin Levy on Tango ... and more

In October 2014, the new CD / DVD “TANGO” of the Israeli singer and songwriter Yasmin Levy came out. Her old fans might be surprised because they may love her because of her Ladino songs, and now she breaks out of their expectations. The tango purists might be indignant because their `evergreens´ are presented with a symphonic orchestra and arrangements which are quite different from the `orquesta típica´ tradition.   

Find here the full-length interview with this exceptional singer. My ciritical critical appraisal of her CD was published in the periodical Tangodanza (issue 2/2015). 

Desorden Perfecto: "Desorden Perfecto"

I have listened to this music, which was already published 3 years before (2011), again and again, have lived with it, have compared it with other music in this neo tango genre - and came to a very simple answer: YES, I really like it, it us really worth it!

They have a good grooving rhythm section consisting of piano, contrabass, and drums, further a string quartet, and the obligatory bandoneon. Thus, we have the typical neo tango sound, flavored with some `modern´ grooves and samples. Particularly when comparing it with other projects within this genre, it is very clear that Desorden Perfecto has some really attractive and inspiring songs to offer - some are very energetic with a good feeling for timing and breaks, and others creating wonderful ambient atmospheres. And all  songs are `danceable´.

In charge for the `plus´ is Roberto Galbiati, composer, arranger (including grooves and samples), and piano player. Kudos to him.

You may start listening with “Evolucion” (from my side, their best track on this CD with mild hiphop groove and nice melodic structure), “Ojos Morenos”, “La Espera”, and of course “Desorden Perfecto“ (which seems to be a tribute to Gotan Project).  

Oh, by the way: Desorden Perfecto is from Turin (Torino, Italy), and not not from Buenos Aires…

Otros Aires: "4"

Otros Aires´s 4th (regular) CD “4” published 2013 by Galileo Music Communication, continues what started in 2004. It is difficult to resist these tangos and milongas with their mixture of modern (hip-hop) grooves, `historic´ samples, Miguel di Genova´s vocal performance, Diego Ramos´s accented piano work, and Hugo Satorre´s empathetic bandoneon which connects with the tradition.

The 12 (+1) tracks show a variety of different facets, starting with “Big Man Dancing”, an energetic, straight forward groove oriented song, followed by the hip-hoping “Parfume de Mujer” with the congenial duet of Omar Mollo and Miguel di Genova. “Buenos Aires Va” is a very slow melancholic vals with lot of restrained passion, and a pleasing `jazzy´ arrangement (piano, bass, drums, bandoneon and vocals). This contrasts with “Raro - Versión Español / Siciliano”, a `funky´ milonga with additional rap vocals by Othello Man; further Angel Villoldo´s “El Porteñito”, a more traditional milonga with rhythmic scratches and piano licks, and Hugo Satorre´s bandoneon melodies which take turn with Joe Power´s harmonica lines. Also “Con Un Hachazo Al Costado”, a `samba-milonga´ which invites to dance, is an outstanding track among 12 others.
What about the “Big Man Dancing Remix” by Viví Pedraglio? The 8:39 min dance floor oriented version of the title track (originally 2:30 min) might be intended for a different target group. I can imagine that it works quite well in a club; however, it is not what keeps me attracted too long.

Lou Reed´s “Perfect day” works fine in its `tango-vals´ interpretation. Very touching!  
The bonus track “Los Vino – Movilo”, known from their 2008 live CD “Vivo en Otros Aires”, surprises with a `Balkan arrangement´ by the Chalga Band. This cultural exchange creates a very special feeling 

Overall: Otros Aires are still a warrant for catchy grooving songs which refer to the tango tradition, but add some fresh flavor. It is fascinating to see how Miguel di Genova´s talent to write `modern classics´ develops, and that the band is able to attract both dancers and listeners. (www.otrosaires.com)

P.S. The cover art work by Nick Wadley is again an outstanding eye-catcher!

Etango: "Discoteca"

Etangō, an electro tango project from Osnabrück (Germany), have published their second CD, “Discoteca”. Most of the 15 songs were written and arranged by Arne Bense (electronica, programming) and Ingo Daus (guitar, programming). Together with Christiane Kumetat (violin) and Stefan Mertin (bandoneon) they present 15 dancefloor oriented tangos and milongas which fit to the wider genre of electro tango. For example, “Recuerdo Nuevo”, a `samba-milonga´ with various rhythmical breaks invites to dance; “El pulso”, a great grooving tango with funky guitar and heavy synthesizer pattern; “Pofeta”, a soul inspired tango dominated by electric guitar chords, enriched with synthesizer and mellow arching melodies of the violin. 

Yet, there are also wonderful atmospheric tangos such as “Desde el alma” with spoken lyrics by the German actress and singer Yvonne Werner-Mees; particularly this song attracts with interruptions of fascinating drum loops and heavy rhythmical sound effects. One of my favorites is “Me.Longa” with soul-ful guitar pattern and hiphop groove, violin, and again hypnotic lyrics (spoken and sung) by Yvonne Werner-Mees (could be more of this!). The evergreen “La Cumparsita” is the final song, in their version nearly a `new´ one. 

The order of songs follows a funny idea: Four blocks of tandas (three songs each) separated by three 30 seconds sound breaks (Cortinas): Ready to dance. 

Overall: If you have ears to listen and a body to move, you should give this CD a try. It is definitely worth it! Invite them for your milongas / neolongas! (www.e-tango.de)

Electrocutango: "Adrenalina"

Tango from Norway? - Sverre Indris Joner, Electrocutango´s composer, pianist, programmer, arranger, and producer, can count on his band mates Mikael Augustsson (bandoneon), Odd Hannisdal (violin), Steinar Haugerud (double bass), and Antonio Torner (drums, pecussion) to create pieces of contemporary tangos which go beyond the boundaries of expectation how modern tangos should sound. “Adrenalina” for example is highly energetic and a fast milonga (for me, their best song) – albeit dancer will have their problems. “Agua mansa” is a slow grooving `shuffle´ tango suited to try some moves. With track #5 the songs are more club oriented than the previous ones, i.e., drum grooves and synth bass flavored with bandoneon and spoken verses by Julia Zenko in the hypnotic “Cambalache”.

However, even a great CD may include some tracks which bring me to use the skip button (i.e. “Cybertango”, a 3 minute strange soundscape, or “El tango del gringo”, an experimental track with nested voice effects). But this is definitely carping at a higher level when this 14 track CD, published in 2011 by Random Records, has so many attractive songs to offer. Listen to the great “Adrenalina”, “Vanguardia vieja”, "Recostado en la vidriera”, “Agua mansa”, and you know what I mean. 

The last track is an interesting surprise: Astor Piazzolla´s “Yo so Maria” sung by the amazing Julia Zenko, and arranged as a forward-pressing track with drum loops and sequencer. - Unexpected and great.   
Electrocutango are at their best when they start to groove; then they are pure fun, and it is difficult to sit stock-still.