Paris based Gotan Project have been applying the fusion blowtorch to tango since the late 90’s, merging tango with elements of electronica, jazz, electronica and dub with a distinctly folkloric Argentine flavour. It’s quite dancey at times, club based music with the exotic flavours more often than not falling between the rigid 4/4 beats. They comprise of the core trio of Swiss electronic producer Christoph Muller, French DJ Phillipe Chen Solal and Argentinean guitarist Eduardo Makaroff, however are regularly joined joined by various live performers on this two disc set. The first is from the Forum in London in 2003 and the bandoneon (Argentine accordion) in particular is remarkable, simultaneously heartbreaking and joyful, whilst the piano and violin also take their place as featured soloists, not merely playing the expected supporting role. They were supporting their debut album La Revancha Del Tango, and the crowd are vocally appreciative. Curiously there’s even a cover of Frank Zappa’s Chunga’s Revenge, with a much more exotic and classier sound than Frank could ever have hoped to muster. The second disc meanwhile is some four years later in Switzerland. The crowd is just as vocal, however the band are definitely more nuanced, the pieces evolving slowly and the electronics not so self consciously conspicuous. This was around the time of Lunatico and much of the material stems from this album. Gotan Project are a curious proposition, they’re simultaneously traveling in two directions. Their use of the bandoneon draws you back to Buenos Aires traditions, whilst the beats scream cafe or club. The electronics are integrated incredibly effectively, however the beats at times feel like a straightjacket, preventing the music from really setting free and floating away up to the lofty heights that this combination of ingredients promises, and even occasionally delivers.
Bob Baker Fish
