Putumayo Presents: Tango Around the World

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 6, 2007)
• Original Release Date: November 6, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Putumayo World Music
• ASIN: B000VWOUY4
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #57,028 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

About the Artist
Putumayo World Music was established in 1993 to introduce people to the music of the world's cultures. The label grew out of Putumayo clothing company, founded by Dan Storper in 1975 and sold in 1997. Co-founder Michael Kraus joined Dan to launch Putumayo World Music and establish a non-traditional sales division. Putumayo World Music has become known primarily for its upbeat and melodic compilations of great international music characterized by the company's motto: "guaranteed to make you feel good!" Putumayo's CD covers feature the distinctive art of Nicola Heindl, whose colorful, folkloric style represents one of Putumayo's goals: to connect the traditional to the contemporary. By combining appealing music and visuals with creative retail marketing, Putumayo has developed a unique brand identity - a rarity in today's artist-based music industry.

Product Description
The elegant style and restrained passion of tango has made it one of the most recognized and popular forms of music and dance around the world. Its romantic allure has earned it such a wide following that there are now tango clubs from Seattle to Sydney. Over the past decade, djs and contemporary musicians have taken tango in new directions with electronic-based compositions known as "new tango." Putumayo has traveled the globe to find many of the best tango and tango-influenced songs the world has to offer. From tango's birthplace in Buenos Aires to its adoptive homes of Athens, Lisbon, Helsinki and other cities, Tango Around the World weaves together passion, style and elegance to create a rich musical tapestry that features traditional tango alongside contemporary fusions.

A portion of Putumayo's proceeds from the sale of Tango Around the World will be donated to L.I.F.E. Argentina, which works to improve the quality of life of underserved and underprivileged Argentinean children.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eclectic and entertaining, November 18, 2008

By	B. Prater "Dance Fanatic" (Oregon USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars I've tried to like this album, but haven't been successful yet, April 14, 2009

By	Alan F. (MA) - See all my reviews

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.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Fascinating Take On Tango, April 17, 2009

By	R. A. Gallardo "Braz Cubas" (Silver Spring, MD United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!