Contrastes

Contrastes is the third album released by Electrocutango, led by acclaimed Norwegian tanguista pianist Sverre Indris Joner — composer of all 14 tracks – whose credentials also include playing in the Academia Nacional del Tango in Buenos Aires. Fusing new tango inspired from across Latin America, underpinned by electronic instrumentation, Electrocutango also comprises Odd Hannisdal on violin, Steinar Haugerud on double bass, Kaspar Uljas on bandoneón and Andreas Bye on drums.

This is gloriously uplifting music, with not a single weak track on the album. The interplay of strings, keyboard, bandoneón and drums bursts with energy and changing moods. Sometimes starting with a dreamy introduction, the tango's magnetic melody draws the other instruments in, building up to a passionate climax, followed by an inevitable, but controlled collapse. From the soulful ‘Penumbra’ to the driving energy of ‘El Gancho’, this is tango revitalised but remaining faithful to its roots. It's an album that sounds better at each playing, but essentially, of course, tango is music to get up and dance to, preferably cheek to cheek. In spite of which, for an appropriately contrasting mood, ‘Resplandor’ (Radiance) stands out above all, for its beautifully reflective simplicity; as warmly radiant as its meaning in Spanish.