Quadro Nuevo: Tango
There is a tender, jazzy lounge saxophone playing a song that we all know well. A piano caressing the beautiful melody, a bandoneon, a contrabass, and a grand concert harp playing Por una
Cabeza. Maybe, we would expect
some violins and the voice of Carlos Gardel. But no, what Quadro
Nuevo play is quite different from
what we may expect. That´s what
happens when musicians from
Munich decide to give their music
a try in Buenos Aires, and get a
virulent infection with the tango
virus: They find their own way to
interpret the tango.
Of course, the Quadro Nuevo
musicians already have a story.
They are no newcomers. They already have played tangos before.
Their early sound was rather European rather than Argentine —
a bit flamenco, a bit Italiana, a bit
60s jazz. Then in 2014, they made
this trip to Buenos Aires. They
got in contact with the dancers,
played with local musicians, talked
all nights long, drank some red
wine, and they were prepared for
this album inspired by Buenos Aires.
Mulo Francel (saxophone, clarinet, guitar), D.D. Lowka (contrabass, percussion), Andreas Hinterseher (bandoneon, accordion, vibrandoneon), Evelyn Huber (grand concert harp, salterio),
and Chris Gall (Piano) play songs ranging from classical tangos, such as La Cumparsita, Por una
Cabeza, Volver and El Día Que Me Quieras to new songs written by Mulo Francel, D.D. Lowka, Andreas Hinterseher and Chris Gall. There are fifteen tango and milonga interpretations
with lthe playfulness of vibrant Taquito Militar by Mariano Mores and the sensitive melancholia
of the beautiful El Titiritero by pianist Chris Gall.
On the first take, it is strange to hear the sound of a jazzy saxophone as a lead instrument
playing a tango tune. But then, it turns out to be one of the trademarks of the ensemble adding
a unique color which makes the difference. For those who like lovingly designed albums, the
booklet has some great photographs of the ensemble playing in Buenos Aires, atmospheric
views and curious situations, and informative explanations to their songs. Not surprisingly, the
album received the German Jazz Award by the German Phono Society.
Overall Scoring (1-5 stars): ****
Dancer´s pleasure = Listener´s pleasure
Duration: 73 min.
Artist´s website: http://www.quadronuevo.de/
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