CD Review: Pablo Ziegler & Metropole Orkest's 'Amsterdam Meets New Tango'

Pablo Ziegler & Metropole Orkest
Amsterdam Meets New Tango
Zoho

A contemporary in the world of Argentinian music, Pablo Ziegler melds tango music, classical, and folk traditions with music from The Netherlands--thanks to Metropole Orkest. Pablo is a talented pianist that includes luminaries, such as Quique Sinesi on guitar, Walther Castro on bandoneon, and percussionist, Quintino Cinalli. The instrumental ensemble is backed with the talented orchestrations and classical-themed medleys of Metropole Orkest. There are nine long tracks that shimmer with fiery jazz-lines, cinematic washes of symphonic beauty, and edgy melodies that inspire and entertain. There are slower jazz melodies and rhythms, along with more energetic displays of musicianship that is anything but boring. The lively bandoneon and emotive strings are classic, yet modern. Anyone looking for new tango music with a jazzy, classical, and symphonic edge, then Amsterdam Meets New Tango is highly recommended. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: International String Trio's 'Movie Night'

International String Trio
Movie Night
Self-Release

A star-studded cast of musicians present us with an array of instrumental tunes from familiar films, but the music is created with a classy repertoire of guitar, bass, and violin. Ben Powell on violin, Slava Tolstoy on guitar, and Ippei Ichimaru on bass, round out the international group of musicians on the new album. Stemming from Russia, Japan, and England, the musicians grace the songs with an international flair and cultural display of cinematic performances. The music is not exactly note for note on each filmic tune, but the basic melodies are still there. You will here music from Forrest Gump, Latcho Drom, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Singin' In The Rain, Chocolat, Schindler's List, Anastasia, Eyes Wide Shut, Laura, Doctor Zhivago, and Ken Burns' The Civil War. The music is very classical, jazzy, and tango-driven. The fusion-style is relatively pronounced throughout, but the classical undertones are paramount. Fans of filmic scores, instrumental tunes, and classical music will love the International String Trio. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Trio Garufa's 'El Rumor De Tus Tangos'

Trio Garufa
El Rumor De Tus Tangos
Garufa Records

The US-based tango troupe, Trio Garufa, explores the historical lineage of the tango as a musical form in Argentina. The Trio--with members from Argentina, Switzerland, and California--combine violin, viola, bandoneon, upright bass, cello, and flute for instrumental delicacies. The compositions are steeped in history and variety according to the types of tangos presented. The repertoire covers styles from the early-mid 1900s, modern tangos, folkloric music, original compositions, and electro-tangos. Not only tango is represented here, but milonga, electro milonga, nuevo tango, vals, chacarera, guarania, gato, and tango criollo styles and/or time signatures are also present. The instrumental melodies are moving, sensual, and enjoyable. Fans of Argentinian music, bandoneon, tango, and South American folk music will the love the instrumental sensibilities of the only US-based tango ensemble to have performed in the tango dance clubs of Buenos Aires. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Musical Art Quintet's 'Nuevo Chamber'

The Musical Art Quintet
Nuevo Chamber
Classical Revolution Records

Formed in San Francisco, California in 2008, The Musical Art Quintet coined a new term for the music they were producing: "nuevo chamber". This music attempts to encompass the various world music influences and styles now infusing classical traditions. For instance, Nuevo Chamber incorporates tunes devoted to, or inspired by, Argentinian tango, the great Fela Kuti, Malagasy guitar, South American percussion, and classical waltzes. The mostly instrumental album contains twelve tracks without the accompaniment of drumkit or electric guitar. In fact, this is primarily a string album with some notable accompaniment on conga, bongo, maraca, guiro, and keyboards. The only vocals are contained on "Life Is Beautiful" and "Ombligao en Argentina," which are a little different in sound than the rest of the album. Still, Nuevo Chamber is a new sound with a new name, and The Musical Art Quintet leads the way! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Gabriel Palatchi Band's 'Diario de Viaje'

Gabriel Palatchi Band
Diario de Viaje
Self-Release

Argentinian-born and Canadian-based, Gabriel Palatchi and his band of Latin-jazz connoisseurs create engaging and fresh songs on trumpet, flute, keyboard, piano, drums, assorted percussion, bass, and even vocals. Gabriel incorporates lively tones and rhythms that are well-suited for the Afro-Cuban, Latin-jazz, and South American aficionado. The classical melodies echo back to the spy-thriller soundtracks of the 1970s or 80s throughout South America, USA, and even Bollywood. The slightly funkadelic tunes--notably, "Electroshock," "Raices," and "Chilangotango"--transcend musical boundaries and eras with catchy, musical numbers fun for the whole family. The mostly instrumental tunes are great for relaxing, dancing, and contemplating the meaning of Latin-jazz in a modern context. Importantly, a sense of musical realism and creative authenticism cuts across genres, generations, and geographic locales. The creative spirit of Gabriel's band makes Diario de Viaje (Travel Diary) well worth the journey down to your locale music store or online retailer. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Argentina's Lisandro Adrover

Lisandro Adrover

Meets The Metropole Orchestra

Saphrane

Argentina's Lisandro Adrover is a tango maestro on the bandoneon. Meets The Metropole Orchestra was recorded before a live audience at the Muziekcentrum Vredenburg in Utrecht, The Netherlands on March 16, 2003. The result is a collection of fourteen compositions led by Lisandro and his bandoneon with back-up instrumentation from additional bandoneons, a piano, violin, guitar, double bass, and cello. The tango tunes are emotive, classical masterpieces of sound when everything comes together just right. This is evidenced by the fact the audience remains relatively quiet throughout the performances until the very end of each song where applause occurs. Interestingly, the bandoneon may be the lead instrument, but it is never overpowering. For those interested in tango, Lisandro Adrover is a talented musician that should not be overlooked. ~ Matthew Forss

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