CD Review: Tango From Bucharest, Romania

Oana Catalina Chitu

Bucharest Tango

Asphalt-Tango

Bucharest Tango is a 2008 release of Oana Catalina Chitu's resurrection of classic folk ballads of tango songs from 1913-1963. Of course, tango music is normally frenetic, and Oana's music is no different. Still, there are some slower moments indicative of a sultry, lounge club. Nonetheless, there are hints of Klezmer, Balkan, Mediterrean, and South American influences. There are some very skilled virtuosos on violin and cymbalom which are well worth a listen. Instruments include violin, cymbalom, guitar, double bass, sax, clarinet, and accordion. There is always room for another tango album in your collection, and Bucharest Tango belongs at the top! Liner notes include lyrics in Romanian and English. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ersatzmusika...Songs Memorable

Ersatzmusika

Songs Unrecantable

Asphalt-Tango

The slightly psychedelic, avant-garde, post-Soviet roots music of Ersatzmusika is more uncategorizable than unrecantable. The rather languid English vocals possess a slightly Russio-Germanic undertone, as the band members are Russian-born, but sought refuge in Germany. Some of the songs are energetic, while others are more subdued with hints of Gypsy, folk, and pop leanings. Yet, the entire album contains a darker musical tone that amazingly does not disengage listeners, but make them lean in. The instruments used are fairly usual, including guitar, drums, bass, cello, synthesizer and harmonica. Of course, it's a matter of how they are used in order to understand how the music of Ersatzmusika came to be. The slower, instrumental moments remind one of a downbeat or trip hop band like Zero 7 or Air. Despite unsuccessful categorization, Songs Unrecantable is still one of my favorite albums of 2009...bar none.~ Matthew Forss