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Otros Aires – Otros Aires

About this release

Ⅰ have just learned about Otros Aires, a new project from somewhere between Barcelona and Buenos Aires, mixing creative influences of old ages with modern beats and instruments. Although they call themselves “an electronic-archaelogical project” nothing within their songs sounds like it does not belong here (but they so quote and sample Carlos Gardel quite much) neither do they show the massive imbalance towards the electronic like so many newcomers in the tango nuevo/electronic tango genre. Very refreshing, very much for the ears of tango dancers as well as general lovers of tango.

The CD is available from Amazon DE or Amazon US. For my German readers: Otros Aires will be in Germany between May 28th (Wiesbaden) and June 17th (München) — playing at many milongas. A complete Listing is available at Just Records Babelsberg.

The details

Otros Aires really know the roots of tango and they do play with them. Listening to these songs really does create a memory of old friends, tangos Ⅰ have heard so often, so much, tangos Ⅰ have loved so much — and yet they are new, fresh, exciting again. A fresh wind into these old crusty songs, sampling of old melodies, fused with modern beats, old voices converse with modern club coolness; some old moods and melodies resonate with the new barcelonian beats. Like in “Amor que se baila” where the old, rhythmic happiness and weirdness of “Aquel Milonga Triste” is fused with a steady beat that brings coolness to this milonga. A distant voice accompanies the neverending flickering bandoneon melody. “Sin Rumbo” merges D’Arienzo’s staccato with exact beats, a bass piano and grains of samples, melancholy and a driving energy towards the end of the song. Followed by “Percanta” that is born from “Mi Noche Triste” in such a subtle way that the ear does remember but is still open for the new arrangement. But do not get the impression that all Otros Aires does is sample. There are 3 original tracks on the album: slower songs they are — very suitable for dancing. While many of the sampled songs really build on old memories, these songs are unique: “De Puro Curda” is multilingual with a touch of vodka. “Barrio de Tango” is full of melancholy with a very soft flow, “Rotos en el raval” mixes a slow sad bandoneon with ornery milonga memories.

Resumé

This CD is very much obligatory for anyone who loves tango and also has an open mind. (Keep cool, your mind does not need to be as open as for Bajofondo, Tanghetto or the like.) Ⅰ expect it to become an essential part in many tango nuevo tandas as well as at tango fusion club events. Not speaking of cruising the streets in summer in your mini convertible with these sounds banging out onto the street…