Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Two to tango

If Astor Piazzolla used elements of jazz to modernize tango music, Argentine musician Dino Saluzzi has gone the next step and created what I'd call, for lack of a better label, tango jazz. His last two CDs for ECM, including this year's "Senderos," offer contrasting looks at what he does.

"Responsorium" has Saluzzi on bandoneon, Swede Palle Danielsson on bass and guitarist Jose Maria Saluzzi, Dino's son, playing what's essentially adventurous trio jazz tango style.

"Senderos" has Dino Saluzzi playing only with percussionist Jon Christensen. It's heavily improvised, kind of free tango jazz. I first listened to this on a cloudy, drizzling Sunday afternoon and it was a perfect fit. Not toe-tappin' bop by any means, but I think both disks will remain interesting through repeated listenings because the music is quite intricate.

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