All parents will understand my pain when I say that my youngest decided at the age of five that she wanted to be a ballroom and Latin dancer, and it took her fifteen years to grow out of it. During those years, I have heard more Tango, Tango Terrific and Tangoette music than I would care to admit as a self-respecting metalhead. So, I was intrigued to discover this album, which is doing exactly what is implied by the title, namely bringing together two quite different musical forms, Tango and jazz, making a different musical form that is also clearly identifiable to lovers of both genres.
Argentinian Pablo Ziegler first came to prominence when he joined Astor Piazzolla in the late Seventies, and since 1990 he has been playing with his own bands. He provides delicate piano, and is joined by Hector del Curto on bandoneon (a type of concertina) and Claudio Ragazzi on guitar. Recorded live, the musicians all react to each other, sometimes repeating motifs or at others taking a break from proceedings altogether or providing a totally different counterpoint or dynamic when they do join in. There is a definite South American feel to the Tango itself, although the bandoneon does also at times suggest thoughts of Paris, but the French version has never really had the same drive and force that is prevalent here. There is a definite warmth to this album, with the musicians reacting and interacting with each other to create a special event.
The styles of music are closely linked, and one does must have a real appreciation for tango to enjoy this, but for those who do then this is worth hearing.
