Customer Reviews

Revancha Del Tango (Bonus CD)

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

(This review was originally posted for the first release.)

In Argentina (and else where), there is always a debate on whether a new composition should be considered tango. Many of the songs from "the Golden Age of Tango" created their own shares of controversy when they first came out in the first half of the 20th century. Of course, then there was Astor Piazzolla, whose music to this day still manages to upset certain self-proclaimed purists.

The Gotan Project attempts to amalgamate tango with other contemporary musical elements. There were negative reviews, both on and off lines, that claimed that it was sacrilegious and ultimately not tango. I would like these people to listen again carefully, because I could point to segments where the reference to classic tango is very obvious.

For example, on track 5 ("Santa Maria"), if you pay close attention and use a little imagination, the opening sounds just like "La Yumba" by Osvaldo Pugliese (more similar to the 1952 version; the 1946 version sounds too weak in most recordings.) And on track 6 (Una Musica Brutal), part of the rubato from the middle section came almost directly from "Quejas de bandoneon" by Anibal Troilo.

And the last track "vuelvo al sur" was truly interesting. Most of us in the tango world are probably familiar with the version sung by Roberto Goyeneche (from the 1987? film "Sur"). His scratchy voice in conjunction with Piazzolla's bandoneon made this song one of the darkest, heaviest, and the most haunting tangos I know of. The Gotan Project version is not as dense, but the contemporary rhythms seem to add an urban destitute and desolateness that are ironically appropriate, considering the current situation in Buenos Aires.

Some of the other original compositions are very interesting too. Overall, most of the tracks carry the quintessential "tango feeling" that connects this album to the century-old lineage of tango music. I applaud them for their courage to bring in new elements to tango. I think there is a fundamental question for tango music aficionados today: there are many excellent tango music groups that imitate the styles of the classic "orquestas tipicas". The most popular subjects of imitation are Osvaldo Pugliese, Juan D'arienzo, and Carlos Di Sarli. These three orchestras produced more than 1,000 recordings, many of which are considered "Gold Standards" for the particular songs. Do we still want some "new" recordings that may sound like an cheap imitation to the Gold Standards? When we buy a new tango CD next time, do we still want yet another rendition of "La cumparsita" or "El choclo"?

I am writing here as someone who had fallen in love with tango from the Golden Age and had spent quite a bit of time reading about it and listening to endless hours of Pugliese and Troilo. Here in New York, we are fortunate enough to have two regular tango groups that perform in milongas and I adore both of them dearly. I love the tango from the 1940s and 50s but from I learn from its history, it is vital for tango to renovate itself every generation to sustain its existence 50 years after its Golden Age. Whether you like the music or not, I believe that the Gotan Project had at least made that courageous attempt.

By now you probably know that the Gotan Project is a fusion of electronica and tango ("gotan" is "tango" rearranged). I have no exposure to tango music, nor was I specifically looking for such. Instead, I was in search of downtempo, lounge-type music and accidentally stumbled across La Revancha del Tango. What a CD! I love all 10 tracks. There's a fair amount of bass beats, but the tempo is mostly slow (I assume this is tango). Not many vocals are found (but are in Spanish) and there's some vocal samples which I can't identify...but it doesn't matter; it's the sound and the mood which are entirely sexy and addictive. I listen to this CD all the time now.

One surprise is the cover of Frank Zappa's "Chunga's Revenge." Yes, it's Zappa and somehow it works!

The bonus disc has some remixes that are a bit too fast for my current interest in downtempo music and not as good as the originals on disc 1, IMO. However, the video for "Santa Maria" on the bonus disc is really great. It's very sexy and stylish, just like GP's music. Shot in B&W w/ an obvious lean towards cubism and patterns, it puts a smile on your face.

Im not used to listen Tango, even that Im from Argentina. You may think that Im an Alien, having one of the most beatiful music in my own country I dont listen to it. Well there is a one good reason for it; listen to much Tango makes me bored. But with this Album I Kinda like it the sound of the Tango. From the beginning till the end its an lovely mix with tango an electric music, even if you are not used to it, you will love it. I say YOU MUST HAVE THIS CD!
Now I want to listen more Tango, the real one, this album kinda make u feel that you are a modern tango, so. LISTEN TO IT!!

any big mistake with the orthography, make your pardon! :) forgive.. Im only a human.

First off, a warning: I've read some of the less than ecstatic reviews of La Revancha del Tango,which accused the music of being too "backgroundish" and only fit for commercials. There is an element of truth in this. But accusing the work of Gotan Project of being too "backgroundish" is like accusing Bob Dylan of being too folksy, or Eminem of being too rappy. I think that's the whole point of La Revancha del Tango: cool, collected and inconspicuous "mood" music that will subtly blend into your day. It's not blaring blasting in-your-face dance music, thank goodness, since we have enough of that on the market already. It may not be the most brilliant or original of albums either, but it certainly has an understated elegance about it: classic torrid tangos, chilled out and urbanized with an ambient contemporary touch. Great to read, relax or do homework to, filling the silence without shattering it, and the bonus disc remixes are a nice funky addition. Here's to the new post-millenial tango.

The name says it all - "Gotan" is a twist on "tango", the dance that's famed as "the vertical expression of a horizontal desire. Gotan takes the distinctive sound of the Buenos Aires squeezebox or bandoneon, plus violin plus the basic "slooow, sloooow, quick-quick sloooow" pulse and the sultry attitude of the tango, overlays loping bass'n'drums'n'dub and filters the whole mix through a witty Parisian post-modern sensibility.

It's slinky, seductive and very addictive.

And provocative. The opening track "Queremos paz" (We want peace) samples Che Guevara's 1964 address to the UN General Assembly and "El Capitalismo Foraneo" (Foreign Capitalism) echoes with the ghostly presence of Evita Peron. There are cool reworks of Zappa's piece "Chunga's Revenge" and Gato Barbieri's theme for the movie "Last Tango in Paris".

It's lounge, it's mellow, it's sexy and it has just the right edge of sweet Argentinean sadness.

This delicious debut courtesy of the french band (perhaps known for their leftfield jazz-dance hit "triptico") combines accordion-based flourishes with shades of cool urban parisian jazz and deep bass driven downbeat rhythms that seem inspired by latin american tango sounds.

The resulting album is an intoxicating, inspired and thoroughly unique masterpiece, mixing contemporary european dance-culture with a romantic gypsy-like whimsical nostalgia. Some numbers like "Una Musica Brutal" are incredibly upbeat yet truly rustic. Very original compilation, and without hesitation 5-star material!

The best album I heard in 2001, great to dance (although difficult) and great to listen to. The fact that a huge number of commercials used samples from this album says it all. Catchy mellodies and a lounge atmosphere suitable for all time of the day. Not only for tango lovers, in fact it will appeal even to those that "detest" tango!! A must have!

I traveld to Argentina a month ago. One day before my arrival to Lima I entered a music store to get some tango albums. And I exit the store with three new CDs for my collection. This album was a arecommendation of the guy in the store. What a recommendation!

La revancha del tango consist basically in a mix of tango and milongas with electronic music. The first track is good enough to give you an idea of what is coming. You know, it can fit perfectly in any collection, doesn't matter if you like jazz or metal. Maybe the tango purist will find this album depectable but I think you must try to be "open" and listen it without the inevtable question on mind: Is this tango or not?

The tracks I like the most: "Queremos paz", "La del ruso", and "Una musica brutal"

I think it is one of the three records that redifine the concept of electrotango, like Bajo Fondo Tango Club and Tanghetto- Emigrante (electrotango). Santa Maria is a hit, Queremos paz is a great song, and all the songs in this record are incredible.

One of my all time favorite albums of the last 3 or so years. Totally rules!!! I still listen to it today as it still sounds fresh. If you haven't heard it go out and buy it and don't waste any time because it's excellent!! The band perfectly fuses old Argentine tango with modern electronica (downtempo and chilout) to perfection. There have been countless imitations to their music and even an Astor Piazzolla remix CD but this is the original and it's top notch! The others are good too but Gotan Project are the innovators in this style of music! Every single track is perfection with Epoca being my favorite! Their music has also been licensed to many compilations such as the Buddha Bar series or other similar type of lifestyle compilations cd's.

SJ
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