UP's favourite releases this week!


Tango Siempre feat. Gilad Atzmon & Steve Argüelles / Tangents / Galileo Music

Tangents, Tango Siempre's newest album follows in their fluid, sparkly playing style, only this time (unlike their previous two albums), Tango Siempre perform their own compositions and incorporate special guests: BBC Jazz Award winner saxophonist Gilad Atzmon, and on drums and electronics, Loose Tubes' Steve Argüelles. Atzmon's sax adds to the music in a subtle, non-intrusive way giving the album a jazzier edge. A couple of tracks engage light electronic drumbeats but this does not encroach on the dance-club orientation of tango electronica originators: Bajofondo Tango Club and Gotan Project. "Nazareth" a piece composed by Atzmon displays his versatility on the saxophone – it flows with jazzy Middle Eastern / Turkish melodies, occasionally making his saxophone sound like a zurna. Solos by Tango Siempre are rare in the album – Ros Stephen's striking solo in "Los Pasos Gigantes" is a gem. Other highlights include "No Te Olvido" by Pete Rosser who plays the accordion in the group, "Sweet Dreams" by pianist Jonathan Taylor and "Cumparsita" a G. Matos Rodriguez piece arranged by Taylor.

To visit Tango Siempre's MySpace site, click here.
To view John L. Walter's review on Tangents, click here.


Fennesz and Sakamoto / cendre / Touch Music

Like two figures meeting in the shadows, cendre seems to exemplify that natural encounter: Christian Fennesz with his electronic computer and guitar driven atmospheric sounds and Ryuichi Sakamoto's dreamy Debussy-Satie, Zen-like piano textures. And what better than releasing it on Touch Music, the label home to the digital sound and visual network. The album bears warmth and light in tracks like "haru" and "oto", but it does descend to deeper and darker tones finishing with the track "abyss. Nevertheless it maintains an intense calm and simplicity. As I sit and write, an aeroplane flies overhead – its low drone seems to blend in too well with the swirls and hypnotic chords of "haru" which plays in the background.



Setsubun Bean Unit / Setsubun Bean Unit / Accidental Music

Setsubun Bean Unit comprises a mesh of Japanese folk song, jazz, reggae, funk, Balkan and trip hop, just to name 'a few'! The group was born out of a trip to Tokyo by members of the Farmyard Animals. It also incorporates a couple of Bon dancers and other unsuspecting guests. The name of the band and its release gives tribute to the Setsubun Spring Festival in Japan where soy beans are throw in the air to cast out evil spirits and bring good luck. Most of the melodies are simple and catchy like "Rettsu Kissu". Gideon Juckes' electric tuba gives it a circus act feel. With Setsubun Bean Unit – you'll either find the album very strange, eclectic and silly, or you'll come to love and adore its enchanting melodies ("Tora San"), good humour and unconventionality.

To find out more about Setsubun Bean Unit or to listen to some of their tracks, visit their MySpace page.

– MYO
--
Have you heard any of these albums or seen any of these artists live? Do you know something great that's due for release in the next couple of weeks? We'd love to hear from you. Drop us a comment!