There have been many tributes to “Nuevo Tango” pioneer Astor Piazzolla, in terms of songs, albums and groups. This quintet of James Anderson/vio, Jonathan Geer/p, Pat Harris/b, Mike Maddux/acc-band and Tony Rogers/cel is one of the best, as it mixes the warm harmonies with the instrumentation, but with the band small enough, they keep things flexible and bohemian.
Anderson’s violin sounds bohemian on Geer’s gently swinging “Belleville” while the strings lilt on the agonizing “Saudade.” Maddux keeps the chords concise and swaying on “Soledad” and “Retrato De Milton” and the rhythms, while complex at times, never lose their visceral attraction. The team can shift gears like a Porsche on “Kicho” and Anderson’s “Clockwork” fits right into the Argentine mood. Well delivered and flavored.