Search - Various Artists :: Tango Federico: A Dancemaster's Choice

A great find

John A. Grasso | Monroe, Ct United States | 06/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been purchasing and listening to a lot of Tango dance music for a Milonga I run once a month. I ordered this CD half thinking it would not live up to its title (so many don't),however, not only does it live up to its title it, in my opinion, exceeds it. This man has an obvious love of melody, and harmony. His selections shine in that respect. These songs are wonderful to listen to as well as dance to. If you dance tango you know full well that a lot of songs are wonderful to listen to, but fall terribly short on the dance floor. I received a contempory Tango CD along with this one, and I have played this one almost constantly. The other one hardly at all. Tangos, vals, and milongas I have never heard were instantly likable. I could probobly make issue with one or maybe two of his selections, but that leaves 20+ left. I don't think you can go wrong with this one. You also must make some compensation for the quality of some of the recordings, yet even these display a rich and full presence of content. You wish you could have heard these gems, and these artists in person."

Definitely a keeper. Dancers, you will love this disk!

Mark Hammond | Chambersburg, PA USA | 10/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"¡Fantastico! I am really excited about «Tango Federico.» This is a disk that I listen to at home, in the car, and, being the "tango junkie" that I am, take it with me and ask DJs at dances to play songs from it for me. This is the "edad de oro" kind of tango that we dancers know and love. Some of the names are easily recognizable: Anibal Troilo, Pedro Laurentz, Francisco Canaro, Roberto Firpo, and Alfredo de Angeles to name a few. If you are planning the music for a milonga, there is a nice mix of tango, milonga, and vals. Vocals are delightful - no, Carlos Gardel is not on this disk, but we do have the heavenly singing of Alberto Podesta, Carlos Dante, Jolio Martel, Raúl Berón, Francisco Fiorintino, and more.Other people have done reviews that have been critical of the quality of the recording. I find the only cut where there is a problem is "Fumando Espero," by the Orquesta Típica Victor. The music is good, but it sounds like 1920's vintage scratchy 78 rpm disk played on an antique Victorla record player. However, I am delighted with some of the most beautiful valses (Argentine waltzes) that I have ever danced to. The milongas are great, and I especially like "Cimarron De Ausencia" a milonga by the Anibal Troilo orchestra with vocals by Floreal Ruiz and Alberto Marino. If you are hosting a milonga [social dance where Argentine tango is featured] or are organizing the music for a dance, you will love the music on this disk.I had previously highly recommended the compact disk «¡Bailemos Tango!» as an excellent disk for Argentine tango dancers. If you liked «¡Bailemos Tango!», you will love «Tango Federico.» Good luck, and put your heart and soul into the dancing."