Gotan Project - Lunatico Album Review

Gotan Project
Lunatico
Album Review

From the opening rasps on the snare drum to the closing notes on the piano, I feel unequivocally soothed. My mind and body have been massaged by three Parisians, an Argentinean Tango Organist and a Spanish based Singer. No, I'm not in Boogie Nights 2, it's the return of Team Tango.

From lounge room to hazy French cafés, Argentine dance halls to dark underground rap gigs, this album again stirs up influences from all over the world and is blended to a fine consistency. It oozes with unmistakable Latin qualities and is peppered with French "jua-de-vive".

I was fortunate enough to review the first single "Diferente" a few weeks ago, and was chomping at the bit to get a copy of the album. And without plagiarising my own material, the same talented musicians have been called upon again with a few notable additions including Calexico and Carlos Gardel (whose horses name was used for the title of the album).

Three rappers from Buenos Aires called Koxmoz, feature on one of the stand out tracks "Mi Confesion". My Spanish Argentinean is a little rusty, and for all I know the lyrics could be about how the Sardines they had bought at the market that morning for their lunch were a little too salty, but it sounds brilliant. I want to purposely drive around with my windows open so people can hear my new musical diversity of Spanish influenced Argentine/French Tango rap, it's a sure fire winner in my books!

The production on this collection is perfect. There is little clouding or over complication with percussion, which frees your ears to hear the beauty of the musicianship. Cristina Vilallonga is as soultry as ever, Flores is his unmistakable self and Solal, Mueller and Makaroff are becoming masters of their craft.

April 10th is a date to pencil in your diaries for anyone who needs some musical therapy in their life, and lets be honest, who doesn't?

4/5

Elliott Bambrough