Modern Tango World N° 10 (Athens, Greece) | Page 40

New Tango Music
Arndt Büssing
Graciano 4 Cuarteto: Alquimia
The quartet consists of Julián Graciano
(7-string guitar), Amijai Shalev (Ban-
doneón), Manuel Masetti (Classical Gui-
tar) and Pablo Andrés Giordano (Dou-
ble bass). They play instrumental tangos
composed by Julián Graciano. Two gui-
tars is unusual casting for a tango en-
sembles. Thus, listeners should expect a
different sort of sound. Some of the ten
songs by the quartet have a sensibilty
aimed at more of a jazz scene.
I prefer the more atmospheric songs
such as Infancia or Un tal Bach which
has the full resonance of the 7-string
guitar. Punk Tango and Buenos Aires Neg-
ra are too stressful for me. The slow
Medianoche la Ciudad has its beauty.
The harmonic progressions are rather
timid and groping, quite untypical of a
busy city at night. This song is followed
by Amanece la ciudad, expressive of
hectic city awakening.
The musicians are, by no means, virtuous. The songs have strong roots in the vamping jazz tradition. But
they do not ignore their familiar affairs with the tango tradition. If you like excellent guitar music with
some bandoneón flavor, you will be perfect here.
Overall Scoring: ***
Dancer´s pleasure < Listener´s pleasure
Duration: 40 min.
Artist´s website: http://www.graciano4cuarteto.com/
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