Entries by DyM-Team / Jannek Schweer

The music we want to present to you this week, comes from the Rio de la Plata again.
And in the broadest sense we are dealing with tango here...

Because we are gonna deal with Juan Carlos Cáceres, the Orquesta Fernandez Fierro and the Sexteto Ojos de Tango.


Cáceres: Noche de Carnaval
On his latest album Juan Carlos Caceres recollects the tradition of Rio de la Plata music… and goes beyond it at the same time!
For besides notable tango and milonga elements on this Caceres invigoratesmurga and candombe, the traditional carnival music from Argentina and Uruguay. These styles also explain the title "Noche de Carnaval" But the title also hints to the playful and exuberant athmosphere - as well as to the colorful melange which on principle suspend all (genre) rules and instead focusses on doing things for the fun of it. In this sense the title says it all!
And that is why to tango, milonga, murga, and candombe also charleston, swing, and jazz are added. Still this album is by far not all about fiesta - the more solemn moments even prevail. But the musicians have a lot of fun playing and you can definitely hear that! And meanwhile Cáceres interweaves the carnival rhythms skillfully with the pensive chant of his bassy, sometimes slightly rough, sonorous, and expressive voice!
The Authenticity, which Cáceres, this "tsunami of magma and champagne" conveys with his very unique mixture of styles is certainly (on the one hand) due to the fact that he has taught and done research on the music from his native region. On the other hand he has earned his spurs back then in one of the most frequented jazz clubs in Buenos Aires. And the versatility which he gained in this way has given him the unique ability to make the bandoneón dispensable and still create the right atmosphere… you really won't miss it! (e.g. track 11)


Orquesta Típica Fernandez Fierro: Putos
For Fernandez Fierro in, contrast, the bandoneón is vital - but in a quite different way!
These guys are (that gets pretty clear on this CD) something like the punk rock of tango. And that is not only noticeable by the provocative names of their albums - the last one was entitled "Mucha Mierda", this one is named "Putos".
And it even is substantially wilder than its predecessor! Calmness is limited to a few passages within otherwise highly dramatic songs. These young rebels - who even throw a piano down a pedestrian bridge as a pastime and don't refrain from making political statements in whatever situation - have more energy than three symphony orchestras! And they absolutely do their own thing. They have already rejected a major deal and sicking to their independent style, their by now fifth album consists of two identical CDs. The cardboard sleeves can be cut along the perforated line and in one of them you'll find a note, telling you to keep one and give away the other
This album has got an extreme power and is musically highly sophisticated - even though it might not be the best choice to put on for a milonga


Sexteto Típico Ojos de Tango: Ojos de Tango
This one is by far the most "classic" of the presented CDs
The Sextet of pianist, composer, and arranger Analia Goldberg imprints a very rhythmic, often staccato like style into their tangos, which still is quite different from Biagi or D'Arrienzo. Some Passages are almost ascetic, but only to underline the then following change of dynamic.
These musicians play creatively with reduction, emphasis and breaks so that many tangos on this CD can be experienced totally anew! For example "La Mariposa" (track 1), El Huracan (track 4) or "A Evaristo Carriego" (track 6).
Absolutely noteworthy are the guest singers on this production! Especially awesome is the vals "Caserón de Tejas" (track 3), intoned only with piano and voice. And these harmonize in an unbelievable way!

For the beginning of 2012 we have tango news, made in Germany from Cuarteto Bando and Iwan Harlan. In many aspects they differ from each other: quartet vs. solo artist, analog vs. digital, traditional vs. electro, East vs. West
... but what they do have in common is the passion for tango!

Let's start with Cuateto Bando y Caio Rodriguez.
"Reflexión del Tango"
is the name of the second album of this quartet, founded by the bandoneonist Jürgen Karthe. While on their first album "Tango A Tango" they presented strictly instrumentals, this time they collaborate with the singer Jorge Daniel "Caio" Rodriguez who lends his velvety-soft and clear voice to the emotions which make this CD alive and almost tear it appart.
Among the overall 22 songs there are many traditional tangos, most of them grandiosely reinterpreted. Especially remarkable in this respect is for example the version of "Percal" (Track 17). In Addition to these the album is rounded of – besides two "Piazzollas" – by three self-composed Songs (Tracks 5, 6, and 19)!
Even though the "Bando" in the name of this quartet is a diminutive for bandoneon it becomes clear pretty soon, that there is absolutely nothing to belittle about this skillfully played music! Jürgen Karthe's bandoneon is rather wholehearted, expressive, and obviously very experienced. And the piano often appears mighty and powerful. For example in "Ventanita de Arrabal" (Track 3), one of my favorites on this CD. "Gricel" (Track 4) is another one of the songs I like best and the self-composed "La Primavera Tarde" (Track 19) is big as well... and I could go on like this a little further

The Cuarteto, which was founded in 2006 and has firmly established itself in the international tango scene since then, is the third formation of Jürgen Karthe's, following the Sexteto Andorinha and the duo Tango Amoratado.
So for all of you who like this CD, listening to the other productions as well as to the first CD of Cuarteto Bando should be extremely worthwhile.

From these more classical arrangements we move on to modern electronic interpretations of tango:

Iwan Harlan's "Elonga Musik Vol. 1" is electronic, experimental, emotional... and danceable.
Which is certainly due to the fact that Harlan himself is a tango teacher. On top of that he is a sound engineer and musical multi-talent and after several other musical projects he has finally decided to delight us with a (E-)tango album!
The sound he creates is changing between extreme drive and a melancholic, intimate atmosphere, which makes you blind out everything except for your own dance. At other points the album has more lounge and sometimes a bit pop. But across the board we can rely on a good rhythm as for example in the guest apperances of Harlan's own Balkan ensemble "Turlitawa" (Tracks 12 und 13).
besides quite some "nontango" influences on "Elonga Music Vol. 1" you'll find many elements which we've all come to appreciate the stars of the e-tango for. "Conspiration" (Track 6) is a very good example for this. And "Bouffon" (Track 2) could become a 'classic' and accompany us for quite some time on nuevo-milongas!

Our download section keeps growing...
One of the latest gems is a CD of a promising band from Italy: the Orquesta Caminito. The title of their album focuses on the essential: "Tango"

I'm not gonna conceal the fact that this album really amazed me - quite like "7" by Sexteto Milonguero!
Just looking at the selection of songs already tells you about the impressive versatility of this "Orquesta":
From solemn Tangos (La melodia de nuestro Adios, Ensueños, Para Osmar Maderna) to highly dramatic songs (El Recodo, Tanguera, El Huracan, A Evaristo Carriego) to quite merry and cheerful music (La Colegiala, Morena, Mairposa)... and even the deeply melancholic "Oblivión". Moreover the names of these tunes make clear that the five musicians can play everything from "Golden Era" to "Nuevo". Whether Canaro, D'Arienzo, or Piazzolla, die stylistic nuances are masterfully performed!

Probably my two favorite songs on this CD are "Ensueños" (Track 4) and "La Colegiala" (Track 5). The latter has got nothing to do with the well-known Latina hit For quite some time I wondered, what kind of music this is exactly, because it doesn't get along with tango dancing and is missing the typical milonga rythm... now I've learned, that "La Colegiala" is actually a foxtrot. Whatsoever. This song, which starts like a children' song and throughout the rest of the tune is pure joy, fun and energy, is exactly the right thing to put on in order to raise the spirits, previously immersed in plaintive tangos. And I actually like this version even better than the original from Enrique Rodriguez!

Other songs which I like particularly are "El Huracan" (Track 3), "El Recodo" (Track 1) and "Tanguera" (Track 9) as well as "Pacienca" (Track 13). Here is a live performance of the latter, so you can get a first impression:



The man at the microphone is playing the trumpet on other recordings (for example Tanguera or La Melodia de Nuestro Adios). The sound of brass instruments in tango I only knew from "La Tubatango" so far... but it fits perfectly in the program here!
So this man is Alberto Polese, of whom we also included some earlier (previously unreleased!) CDs in our download section, too. For Example this one (attention, it's not tango ).


The repertoire which the gentlemen from Orquesta Caminito list in their blog, comprises more than five times as many songs as the ones which made it to this CD! And this raises expectations, that we won't have to wait too long, before their next album will be released

Tango Classics... is our exklusive Download-Series (in mp3 and FLAC), in which one of the largest European tango archives is refurbished and made available for you. Here we compile rarities and collector's gems alongside well-known classics on download albums.
Altogether 125 of these albums have been released until now... Until Now! 'Cause now we've added a total of 42 new compilations! and these are absolutely worthwhile!

Off we go with 21 tracks from Alberto Gomez on 2 albums, followed by altogether 10 samplers with tracks from Mercedes Simone, one of the comparatively few female Singers and Composers in the male-dominated world of tango.

Anibal Troilo too, is represented with a whole bunge of new downloads! So these add to a total of 13 compilations of his songs in our series... all of them a must-have
This holds as well for the 6 new albums of Alfredo Gobbi!

The largest part of our new releases constitutes the music of Julio De Caro: a whopping 135 songs! Now if that isn't an invitation for browsing...

The last two samplers (for now) come from Agustín Magaldi, the "Voz Sentimental de Buenos Aires".


Enjoy listening!


A detailed review of the last bunge of "Tango Classics" can be found >>here.

For the whole overview with further treasures to discover check out our "Tango Classics"-Series!

Keeping the best for last: for ten and more tracks you'll get a 10% discount and for fifty tracks and above even 20%!!!

Tango Sonorte and Harri Kaitila: "Un finlandés en Buenos Aires"
For some time now, the experienced opera singer Harri Kaitila and the band Tango Sonorte both have promoted Finnish Tango separately and contributed to its fame far beyond the Scandinavian peninsula. But now they've topped it all off by joining forces to create this superb album!

The musical references of the members of Tango Sonorte testify unbelievable creativity, expressivity and imrpovisation skills! The guitarist Antero Jakoila is one of the most prestigious artists in his field and his talent can be appreciated in various movies of the great Finnish film maker Kaurismäki. And this is just to name the probably best known musician of this ensemble!
Harri Kaitila barely needs closer introduction. Initially a popular and well-experienced tenor, he turned to Finnish Tango some time ago. A perfect symbiosis it seems, 'cause Kaitila really knows how to express its melancholy - even in German!

On their first joint production, "Un finlandés en Buenos Aires" these virtuosos present us an uncompromisingly nostalgic program full of passion for the Argentinian and Finnish recordings from the 40s. Besides this reminiscence to the "Golden Age" we can also listen to two of Piazzolla's melodies and even to new arrangements of two Finnish songs from about 1900.

This CD is definitely worth it, not only for fans of Finnish Tango!


But if you are a fan of this genre, then you should definitely check out the other CDs of Harri Kaitila's (mp3/FLAC), as well as the talented trio Saimaa (mp3/FLAC) and the brand new debut album of Vaaraliset Huulet: "Kirschblütentango"


And there is even more Tango which we have brand new available for download!
The two CDs of Cuarteto Rotterdam, "Deleitante" and "Yunta De Oro", which we've been offering as physical records for quite some time, are finally available for Downlaod (mp3/FLAC)!

Check it out!

Let's go to Cuba! - at least with the ears
'Cause thanks to Manolito, Tirso Duarte and Michel Maza this is an absolutely great place to be!


Manolito y su Trabuco: "Beat Cubano"
On this album Manolitoy su Trabuco provide proof of their whole skillfulness! Now, that they are some of the best musicians concerning Salsa, they have already proven many times. Some of you may have been witnesses of their virtuosity recently, when they were touring in late summer and automn.
But on this album the Band shows that they know even more, that they all are versatile and extremely good musicians who won't limit themselves to only one genre. And as one of THE quality features of a musician is him being able really "jazz", it is not surprising that the album "Beat Cubano" of Manolito y su Trabuco is dedicated to Latin Jazz. What other challenges could there remain for this band? And even this challenge (if we suppose it is one) is mastered perfectly by the Trabuco! Most importantly it is mastered without banning the timbales and bongos to the background! So there is a good portion of groove while montunos transform into jazz solos and back again. Still the overall athmosphere of the album is quite laid back. Especially when, after having listened to it, the last song (a cover of "Bésame mucho") keeps on lingering in your head.
Another reason for exitement is the excellent performance of the many jazz-experienced guest musicians, as for example the flautist Germán Velasco!

Tirso Duarte: "Timbero Timbero" and Michel Maza: "El menor de la Salsa"
From Latin Jazz we go on to Timba!
And this time it's timba from two of the heroes of the genre, who know each other from childhood, played in some of the most important timba bands as for example Charanga Forever and now both pursue their own solo projects: Tirso Duarte and Michel Maza.
Tirso Duarte's "Timbero Timbero" is almost something like a Best Of! Included are "Estás perdiendo el brillo" (what a song!!!), "Para Que Nada te pueda pasar" (refreshingly pleasant reggaeton) and "Charanguero Mayor", as well as many other hits.
Michel Maza's new album, which he has called "El menor de la Salsa" according to his nickname, is a quite simlar project. Here we got some hits from the time with Charanga as well, like "Dicen que amor" and "Se cree que las sabe todas". But there are also many other productions from projects with other musicians or as a soloist.
If you love timba or if you just wanna get to know what it is, you should definitely listen to these CDs!


Alright! This should have been enough good music to cast out the winter's cold.

If not, you should check out our New Salsa Releases

On we go with more nonprescription drugs to cure the winter's cold!

This time we got three extremely big Compilations:

Grandes Maestros de la Salsa Live 3 (2 CDs)
What reminds us more of summer than Salsa? - Right: Salsa Live!
Inevitably the flair of park, beach and Festival unfolds. And memories of the big tours of the last summer awake. One which many of you have probably seen live recently is also represented on this sampler: Oscar D'León! But the others definitely don't have to hide behind him: Tito Puente, Rubén Blades, Ray Barretto, Lalo Rodriguez, Adalberto Santiago, Willie Rosario...
What makes these live recordings special, is that they convey even more liveliness than the studio recordings and that a very unique groove is developed between the musicians which often leads to gorgeous solos and improvisations. One (of many) examples is, for instance, "La Hipocresía, La Falsedad" by Adalberto Santiago and Ray Barretto (Track 7 on CD 2).
But you'd better listen yourself!

Salsa Classics 6 (2 CDs)
"Mira que ironica
es la vida..."
You can't read these words without instantly having in mind the voice of Frankie Ruiz and the melody of his mega hit! Really an absolute classic!
But by far not the only one 'cause after all this CD is named "Salsa Classics".
...Eddie Santiago, Victor Manuelle, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Marc Anthony, Lalo Rodriguez, Johnny and Jerry Rivera, José Alberto... an there seems to be no end to this top class lineup!
But apart from the fact that all these artists are truly classics, something more catches the eye (or the ear ): this compilation would have deserved a subtitle. It should have been named "Salsa Classics 6 - Salsa Romántica". For almost all songs belong to this genre - maybe with the exception of Oscar D'León's " Mi Mujer es una Bomba".
So: If you like Salsa Romántica you should definitely not miss this compilation!!!

Salsamanía 2 - Platinum Hits (3 CDs)
From Classics to "Platinum".
Here the sound is less romantic but considerably more vigorous - or "dura"!
Well, there remains a little bit of romance, represented by songs of Paquito Guzmán, Eddie Santiago and Victor Manuelle.
But the rest of the time is dedicated to higher pace and dynamic grooves.
The really big songs in my opinion are: "Te veo Nena" from Gran Combo and "Llegó la Orquesta" from the Spanish Harlem Orchestra (Tracks 2 and 3 on CD1), "Campana Mayoral" by Luisito Carrion & Bongolandia (Track 6, CD1), "Hot Salsa" from La Excelencia (Track 3, CD3), as well as "La boda" from Edwin Clemente and "Campanero" from Papo Pepín (Tracks 11 and 12 on CD 3).
Overall with this CD-Box you get a whopping 205 minutes of pure power!
A must for all Salsamaniacs


Even more big time Salsa you'll get next week and of course in our New Salsa Releases

It's getting cold. It's getting dark. Most of the fruits which some months ago still were juicy and tasteful, are either hard to find or too insipid, too floury or too hard because they were harvested unripe, shipped over tremendous distances and stored for eternities.
Only mandarines taste better now, than in summer but their flavor instantaneously reminds one of Christmas.

Isn't there any chance to take just a little bit of summer with us into the tristesse of the European winter?

The only possibility which comes to my mind is to trust in a more persistent and reliable export hit form the warmer realms on this earth: la música!

And recently we've filled our stock with a couple of CDs brimful with it, which I'am going to present to you in the next blog entries - all of them stuffed with Caribbean rhythms and "con sabor!" guaranteed

Let's start with three Compilations from Guataca Records:

Hot Salsa
This CD seems to have been made for driving out the cold, whether by obliging you to dance or simply by warming your heart
Under such circumstances Pedro Brull feels like shouting: "¡Agua, que me quemo!" (Track 9).
But things are hotting up from the very beginning, as El Gran Combo make clear with "El Problema está en el Coco", one of the hits of their latest album.
However this vigorous start apparently doesn't intimidate the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Roberto Roena, Edwin Clemente, Willie Sotelo, El Sindicato de la Salsa and all the others who spread heatwaves throughout the rest of this compilation.
Altogether a whole lot of really good salsa from the last years!

Latin Fever
Onwards to feverish temperatures we go with Latin Fever!
This compliation is opened again by El Gran Combo - this time with "Esa Mujer".
The selection of songs totally fulfills the claim of the title! For besides classy salsa (represented by Oscar D'León, Jose Alberto "El Canario" and others) there's also merengue (by Rubby Pérez, Peña Suazo and Karis), Mambo, Bogaloo ("Micaela" by Son ora Broadway - a brilliant song!) and even Bachata and Cha Cha Cha!

Cuba Cafe
To prevent complete hyperthermia, subsequently you should go to the "Cuba cafe" and indulge in the "Essential Cuban Son" which is played here. So groovy and laid back at the same time, the son is just perfect to relax 'a lo Cubano'... and now it should have become clear that you don' always have to shake a leg to feel summerly good
"Buena Vista Social Club" took the son to world fame but they are not the only ones who know how to handle Claves, Maracas, Bongos, Guitar and contrabass! Orlando Canto, Sandoval, Max González, Germán Obregon and the others represented on this sampler know how to do it right, too!!!


And if that's still not enough for you, you should have a look at our New Salsa Releases

Another Sampler with Songs from Gardel... do we really need that? Aren't there enough of these compilatioms already?

Well... this one is different!!!

And this is not only due to its incredible size! 100 (!) Songs from Carlos Gardel, probably the most important and best-known figure of Tango Argentino, and 6 interviews with with companions and connoissuers of Gardel (as Hugo del Carril, Eduardo Bonessi and Rafael Rossi) - on all in all 7 CDs!

It is above all due to the selection and compilation of these songs (which were remastered for this purpose): The CDs are not just randomly filled with Hits but each CD is dedicated to a certain topic. Off we go on the first CD with the "Classics", from 'El día que me quieras' over 'La última copa', and 'Volver' to 'Yira yira' and 'La Cumparsita'. The second CD is dedicated to "Lunfardo" the slang from the streets of Buenos Aires, which Gardel knew to set to music like no other. CD 3 shows the dramatic side of Gardel (or his music), on the fourth he is presented as a real "Arrabalero", whereas CD 5 resembles the most romantic moments of his musical oeuvre. And the sixth CD, finally, is dedicated to the "Criollos".
(On the seventh CD you'll find the mentioned interviews)

Besides well-known Hits of Gardel's, you can also find some previously lost recordings. So even for real connoisseurs of Gardel this box is worth a closer look..

But the box is not only a pleasure for your ears...

The eyes get their equal share, too, indulging in the stylish design! The cover has the look of a very classical leather binding while the inner part of the box is presented in sepia and comes up with pictures of contemporary history and handwritten verses in the background. In front of that you see beautifully framed photographs of Gardel.
Oh, and the booklet! It's got biographical notes and annotations to every of the 100 songs (in Spanish and English).


The complete track list as well as audio samples of every track you can find right here in our shop.



And one more tip: If you are interested in mp3s of Gardel for download, here you can find a selection of the Maestro's songs from our "Tango Classics" Series

Until sunday DyM-Club members can purchase all CDs, DVDs, and videos we have in stock at half-price!!!
This unique discount campaign enables you to complete your music collection for a few bucks or to make the most wonderful musical christmas presents!

If you are not yet a member of the DyM-Club, you'll even get an instock CD for free when singing up 'til sunday!

Here you'll find more detailed info on the DyM-Club