Let's Tango. Tangos Argentinos (1992)

This panoramic survey of Argentine tangos shows the genre in all its rich variety of moods and virtuosity. It salutes Ángel Villoldo, the father of tango, whose El choclo (‘The Corncob’) is one of the most famous tangos of all time, and charts the music’s evolution towards the romanticism and lush harmonies of Augustín Bardi. Improvisatory styles, syncopation and jazz harmonies were introduced by such great composers as José Pascual and Orlando Goñi, whilst Enrique Francini developed his personal qualities of dissonance and rhythmic flair into the 1960s. This survey is the first in a series that will document around one hundred rare and classic tangos, all performed by the Argentine pianist Mirian Conti.

This is one of the best albums celebrating the tango. It is indeed free Tango - full of tang and bite. Right from the opening 'A fuego lento' (over a slow fire) you know that you are in for something refreshingly different. This piece regards romance with sour disdain. It is a hilarious send-up of the old fashioned Hollywood torrid tangos where you knew that at least one of the dancers was up to no-good. These numbers are full of character, irreverent and sassy and the young ensemble play them with lusty abandonment. The El Chocolo is well-known but is given a very cheeky and mischievous treatment here…..

Ian Lace @ musicweb-international.com