For One Touch

Jure Tori is one of Slovenia's most celebrated accordionists, known for hopping with enviable ease between jazz, classical, Gypsy and folk music styles. As the title of this latest release suggests, he's now testing his well-honed talents on tango. Songs like ‘Habanera del Puerto’ and ‘Rambling Man’ show a mastery of the basic rhythm and timbre of the genre, to which Tori brings his own signature – richly layered melodies, a pleasantly graceful swing and a fair amount of folksy fiddle accompaniment. The sweeter, upbeat sound of the Argentinian milonga turns up time and again here; Tori is not an exponent of the more arch and astringent qualities of tango. Guitarist Ariel Cubria, who shares the writing credits, provides gently plucked accompaniment, shunning the more percussive role of traditional tango guitar. Some songs move far away from the main theme, such as ‘Jutranji Svit’, which is more a jazzer's take on Italo-Slovenian music. But For One Touch is an enjoyably eclectic homage and is yet more proof, if it were ever needed, that tango – born in a city of migrants and deracinated dreamers – continues to travel very well indeed.