Customer Reviews

Tango Around the World

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The eleven tracks show a wide diversity of what "Tango" was and has become since it's resurgance about twenty years ago.

Track 5 Pena was either copied from a vinyl record or has the hiss of a record added to the intro to add "age" to the recording. The hiss does not continue through the song, nor does it detract from the music.

Track 6 Felino layers electronic sounds into the acoustic mix for a more contemporary "nuevo" take on the tango.

Track 7 Gia Ligo layers electronic rhythms over what sounds like an AM recording of a female singer. It gives it a retro and current sound all at once. In fact, this track sounds more like light jazz to me than Tango but I like it anyway.

Track 9 Estrela Da Tarde also has a Tango Nuevo feel, with the use of electronic and accoustic instruments.

A couple of the tracks are Milonga rhythm rather than Tango which adds to my enjoyment of the collection. All in all it's a mix of old and new that sits well with me and I like that they ended it with a Carlos Gardel composition faithfully rendered as an instrumental - Mi Buenos Aires Querido (My Beloved Buenos Aires) Dancing shoes here I come!

A terrific and entertaining look at tango around the world. On the whole, probably not as eclectic in sound as some of the other "Around The World" compilations from Putumayo, as most of the acts here perform fairly classicist takes on tango, with electronic flourishes being the main departure. Still, that's only a minor quibble.

The album opens with the excellent Dimba by Ousmane Toure (Of Toure Kunda fame), and keeps getting better from there. With the exception of Fortuna, the rest of the acts are either from Europe or Argentina. This, of course, is not surprising, considering Europe, particularly Scandinavia, is a bit of tango stronghold. Still, you'd thing Putumayo would have made an effort to include an act from tango's other home: Uruguay.

On a side note, Federico Aubele is part of the recent electronic movement in Argentina -- the hissing in his track is deliberate, not a result of ripping.

A highly entertaining listen, recommended!

This is a very good cd. I put it on when I clean the house since I have no-one to dance with. Works fine.

As my reviewer Kris said in his review for us at djfix, "The selections on this gathering of charming tango tunes come from a surprising rainbow of cultures. It's no shock that Argentina, Brazil and Portugal, for example, are here. But would you believe Finland? Norway? Sure! And more to boot. The tango finds eleven different manifestations on "Tango Around the World," and, as usual, we're not in for a cheapjack cutout bin saucer of lukewarm, generic world music. Rather, this is full-bodied and real - quality music from a quality label that knows how to capture a whole slice of musical society in a single disc, many single dishes amounting to a respectable canon from a respectable label. Putumayo proudly represents a slew of musical expression and artistic cultural diversity - and "Tango" is no exception. There's nothing phoned in here. The music is cheerfully seductive, playful to play or playful for love. World fans: Dance or kiss, but do it tango style."

I have liked every other Putumayo album I've listened to, and I approve of the idea of new tango music from around the world. But this album didn't attract me. Tango is supposed to have a visceral effect on the listener, but I never was able to appreciate this music other than intellectually. And that intellectual response wasn't always favorable, either. In one case, I could only reflect on how an electronic solo meandered in a way I found annoying rather than catchy. It was as if the musician felt no need to resolve the tones toward any kind of center. If I knew more music theory, I might be able to explain why, but for now, I'll have to just leave it at "I didn't like it."

I'm reminded of the movie "Laurel Canyon," which I saw recently. At one point, Frances McDormand's character, who is a record producer, asks Kate Beckinsale's character for her opinion on the rock band who is rehearsing in her studio. Kate begs off, saying that she doesn't know much about popular music. But Frances presses Kate, telling her that it's all about feeling: if she doesn't feel pulled in, it's not right.

I don't know much about tango, but I didn't feel pulled in by this album.

I bought this one on impulse, without listening to samples first -- not a good technique on Putumayo albums. Still, I thought "How disappointing can it be? After all, it comes from the same company as Gardens of Eden." I found out, much to my dismay. One track had the hiss of something ripped from vinyl, one was an electronic abomination, several were sung by men who couldn't have sung for tips in the seediest bars in all Argentina. I have no idea what the producer was thinking, and the album goes directly into the trash, not even being worth donating to a charity to resell to some poor hopeful.

This Cd is one of the most beautifull collections of tango music available on amazon. almost every track with exception of one is good to dance to and great to listen to. Only a backward looking ludite and self ellected purist would not find it absolutely loveable. Highly recommended at superb prices offered here.

Not what I was expecting in a tango recording. Most disappointing from the usually wonderful Putumayo series.