Linyera

Buenos Aires is fortunate to have both a popular musical form - tango - that has survived the demise of the dancehall and an artist like Daniel Melingo with the jazz and rock credentials to take it forward. Since 1998’s short but sparkling Tangos Bajos, his work has always verged on kitsch self-parody, especially at live gigs where he overacts the part of a bohemian tango junkie. But his gravelly voice, gift for sweet melody and indisputable lyrical gifts provide counterbalancing substance. Linyera (a slang word for a tramp) takes cues from Atahualpa Yupanqui, Lorca, Evaristo Carriego and long-time Melingo collaborator Luis Alposta.

Across 12 gloom-laden songs we’re told a vagrant tale of love, childhood, the night and the city. As a vocalist, Melingo has a narrow range and provides little more than a voiceover on most songs; solid musicianship from his latest backing band and a rich mix of folk, rockabilly, bossa nova and classical treatments goes some way to making up for this lack. All in all, it’s a worthy album, but features few standout tracks, less wit and wisecracking and ultimately less tango than earlier records.