BBC - Radio 3 - Awards for World Music 2005

BAJOFONDO TANGO CLUB
(ARGENTINA & URUGUAY)

Full track details

On their state-of-the-art website, this collective of artists from both sides of the Rio de la Plata call their fusion of tango and contemporary dance beats 'drama you can dance to'. And like the Paris-based Gotan Project which they are often compared to, Bajofondo Tangoclub have successfully taken their music well beyond a world music audience, to a youthful club-going international fan base.

"We're trying to do something that expresses the folk music of today" explains Argentinian producer, writer, and guitarist Gustavo Santaolalla, who came up with the basic idea for Bajofondo Tangoclub with his Uruguayan colleague Juan Campodonico. Recruiting the cream of producers, DJs, musicians and singers from Buenos Aires and Montevideo to work with them, they created cutting edge 21st century urban roots music with a strong sense of place.

Their eponymous 2003 debut won them a Latin Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album, though it's not without its vocals. Samples of tango legends such as Roberto Goyeneche and Susana Rinaldi rub shoulders with their modern counterparts like rising star Cristobal Repetto and the impossibly sultry Adriana Varela. The digital rhythms of house, drum 'n' bass and trip-hop mesh seamlessly with the sounds of conventional acoustic tango instruments; swirling bandoneon, elegant flourishes of piano and the skronking 'chichara' of tortured violins, which the great tango iconoclast Astor Piazzolla made his trademark.

By producing something new which is at the same time respectful of tradition, Bajofondo Tangoclub have earned the admiration of a wide and growing audience, both at home and abroad. And their multi-media live shows are fast underlining the fact that they are much more than a studio creation.

The second instalment in what promises to be a string of releases under the Bajofondo Tangoclub umbrella focuses on the talents of Luciano Supervielle. It showcases a more loungey, sophisticated sound, with excursions into hip-hop and milonga, and contributions by the mercurial neuvo tango star Daniel Melingo.

Jon Lusk (courtesy of fRoots)

Bajofondo Tango Club album review
Bajofondo Tango Club official website

Your Comments

sérgio - Lisbon,Portugal
I've seen them tonight and it was beautiful and i just can't wait to see them again.they are an amazing collective of inspired musicians!The people went to the stage and danced while they were playing.

Paola, tijuana mexico
i love bajofondo tangoclub since i heard it i couldn't stop lising to it.. it's very unique and i highly recommend it!

Derek(South Wales)
I am a tango 'traditionalist' loving the music of Gardel,Donato,Carabelli etc but this group has opened new doors, I think they are unique and fantastic

alexfol
They are great. A fresh breath in tango stuff.

yselcespedes off buenos aires argentina
the best world music band "2004 tango"

Annabel - London - UK
I loved their first CD and play it constantly - a wonderful mix of contemporary tango and folk sounds. I hope they win

Fito London UK
Bought the CD in Buenos Aires last year and saw them ealrier this year at the Saddler's Wells. They are a joy to listen to and watch! I hope they win! Highly recommended!

Jean Pierre Lajous (Paris)
Just in case: "If you like Gotan Project...You would LOVE Bajofondo Tangoclub"... BELIEVE ME...BAJOFONDO IS THE BEST.

Jason (Los Angeles-California)
I hope Bajofondo win the BBC Award,they are so "unique"...

Alejandra (London-UK)
I love Bajofondo Tangoclub! I'm an argentinian based in London and married with an english man and last July I insisted him to attend with me at Bajofondo's Saddlers Well's Theater alive performance.It was a hard work to carry him but fortunately he really enjoyed the show and suddenly he decided to buy the Bajofondo CD and he doesn't stop to play it all day long.
JAN - Berlin /Germany
Few months ago a friend recommended me the Bajofondo Tangoclub CD.Believe it or not I cannot stop to listen it. They are amazing...

Linda (NY/USA)
I saw Bajofondo last August at SOBS (NYC) and they are GREAT!! I hope they come back soon to NY