Search - Gotan Project :: Revancha Del Tango (Bonus CD)

Tango, o no?

Lung Yam | New York, New York | 08/03/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"(This review was originally posted for the first release.)



In Argentina (and else where), there is always a debate on whether a new composition should be considered tango. Many of the songs from "the Golden Age of Tango" created their own shares of controversy when they first came out in the first half of the 20th century. Of course, then there was Astor Piazzolla, whose music to this day still manages to upset certain self-proclaimed purists.



The Gotan Project attempts to amalgamate tango with other contemporary musical elements. There were negative reviews, both on and off lines, that claimed that it was sacrilegious and ultimately not tango. I would like these people to listen again carefully, because I could point to segments where the reference to classic tango is very obvious.



For example, on track 5 ("Santa Maria"), if you pay close attention and use a little imagination, the opening sounds just like "La Yumba" by Osvaldo Pugliese (more similar to the 1952 version; the 1946 version sounds too weak in most recordings.) And on track 6 (Una Musica Brutal), part of the rubato from the middle section came almost directly from "Quejas de bandoneon" by Anibal Troilo.



And the last track "vuelvo al sur" was truly interesting. Most of us in the tango world are probably familiar with the version sung by Roberto Goyeneche (from the 1987? film "Sur"). His scratchy voice in conjunction with Piazzolla's bandoneon made this song one of the darkest, heaviest, and the most haunting tangos I know of. The Gotan Project version is not as dense, but the contemporary rhythms seem to add an urban destitute and desolateness that are ironically appropriate, considering the current situation in Buenos Aires.



Some of the other original compositions are very interesting too. Overall, most of the tracks carry the quintessential "tango feeling" that connects this album to the century-old lineage of tango music. I applaud them for their courage to bring in new elements to tango. I think there is a fundamental question for tango music aficionados today: there are many excellent tango music groups that imitate the styles of the classic "orquestas tipicas". The most popular subjects of imitation are Osvaldo Pugliese, Juan D'arienzo, and Carlos Di Sarli. These three orchestras produced more than 1,000 recordings, many of which are considered "Gold Standards" for the particular songs. Do we still want some "new" recordings that may sound like an cheap imitation to the Gold Standards? When we buy a new tango CD next time, do we still want yet another rendition of "La cumparsita" or "El choclo"?



I am writing here as someone who had fallen in love with tango from the Golden Age and had spent quite a bit of time reading about it and listening to endless hours of Pugliese and Troilo. Here in New York, we are fortunate enough to have two regular tango groups that perform in milongas and I adore both of them dearly. I love the tango from the 1940s and 50s but from I learn from its history, it is vital for tango to renovate itself every generation to sustain its existence 50 years after its Golden Age. Whether you like the music or not, I believe that the Gotan Project had at least made that courageous attempt."

Sexy, addictive, cool music!

I. T. Gavrilovic | New York, NY United States | 04/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"By now you probably know that the Gotan Project is a fusion of electronica and tango ("gotan" is "tango" rearranged). I have no exposure to tango music, nor was I specifically looking for such. Instead, I was in search of downtempo, lounge-type music and accidentally stumbled across La Revancha del Tango. What a CD! I love all 10 tracks. There's a fair amount of bass beats, but the tempo is mostly slow (I assume this is tango). Not many vocals are found (but are in Spanish) and there's some vocal samples which I can't identify...but it doesn't matter; it's the sound and the mood which are entirely sexy and addictive. I listen to this CD all the time now.One surprise is the cover of Frank Zappa's "Chunga's Revenge." Yes, it's Zappa and somehow it works!The bonus disc has some remixes that are a bit too fast for my current interest in downtempo music and not as good as the originals on disc 1, IMO. However, the video for "Santa Maria" on the bonus disc is really great. It's very sexy and stylish, just like GP's music. Shot in B&W w/ an obvious lean towards cubism and patterns, it puts a smile on your face."

An Argentinan Review from an Argentinian Boy

Pablo | Argentina | 05/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Im not used to listen Tango, even that Im from Argentina. You may think that Im an Alien, having one of the most beatiful music in my own country I dont listen to it. Well there is a one good reason for it; listen to much Tango makes me bored. But with this Album I Kinda like it the sound of the Tango. From the beginning till the end its an lovely mix with tango an electric music, even if you are not used to it, you will love it. I say YOU MUST HAVE THIS CD!
Now I want to listen more Tango, the real one, this album kinda make u feel that you are a modern tango, so. LISTEN TO IT!!any big mistake with the orthography, make your pardon! :) forgive.. Im only a human."