Zingaros

The idea of three Argentinian academics coming together to pit their musical knowledge and skills as Zingaros (Gypsy musicians) does not set one’s pulse racing but this is a solid and entertaining album. Understandably for a trio based at the University of Cordoba, they have decided to marry their love of East European Gypsy music with a dash of Argentinian tango.

As fusions go it’s not a difficult one to see working, the drama and flash of tango not being a million miles from those qualities as found in Russian Gypsy music (which is also often as theatrical as tango). Tunes like ‘Kako Si So Sam’ and ‘Ojos Negros Zingaros’ effectively blend the Balkan with the Argentinian to create music that suggests two very different musical communities coming together. Alejandro Montero’s gift for all things stringed – he plays guitar, bouzouki, violin, tamboura, saz and mandolin – keeps the sound mix rich. David Macchione on violin and Basque accordionist Alexander Garate are also effective musicians. The vocals – shared by Montero and Garate – are in Russian and Romani and they are capable rather than exciting singers. The slow, atmospheric instrumental ‘La Espera’ is perhaps the most tango of all tracks – just as ‘Tutti Frutti’ (a well-known Balkan party song) is the most Gypsy – and is very pleasant. Repeated plays suggest this is a stronger album than it seemed on first hearing, the recording emphasising the warmth of the instrumental interplay. A very pleasant debut.