Pure Tango
Zoho, 2020
8/10
An album that culls songs that Julio Botti and pianist Matias Lanfranco’s performace in Argentina in 2018, Pure Tango brings in tunes from that set, which happened to be the last time that Botti’s mother saw him play as she passed away shortly after the concert.
“Taquito Militar” starts the listen with dancing keys and flowing brass from Botti with births a lively yet elegant opening, and “Cualquiera De Estas Noches” continues the sophistication with spirited vocals alongside warm instrumentation and a romantic setting
Further along, “El Último Café” brings a bouncy atmosphere that’s complemented by soaring singing from María José Rojas, while “Oro Y Plata” recruits strong percussion and skilled saxophone prowess on one of the album’s best. “Nostalgias”, another strong track, then moves with a soft and dreamy quality, where beautiful interplay between the musicians illuminates the Pablo Ziegler arrangement.
Deeper into the affair, “Recordando”, a song that reminds Botti of his mother’s house, resides close to ballad territory, and glides with a more bare approach that’s no less powerful, and “Nunca Tuvo Novio” exits the listen awash in timeless tango sensibilities as the pair illustrate sublime chemistry.
A very personal listen that ultimately unfolds like a tribute to Botti’s mother, Lanfranco mixes his traditional tango background with Botti’s modern jazz prowess with stunning results on this glowing collaboration.
Travels well with: Pablo Ziegler Chamber Quartet- Radiotango; Julio Botti- Jazz Tango Fusion