Ya Basta! France Vinyl & CDs

Review: They're back! 5 years after "La Revancha Del Tango", and even more from the very first 10", Gotan Project are coming again with a new album entitled "Lunatico". Here's the first 10" out of it, offering the same & very unique recipe, yet slightly different. "Diferente" is the first single & leaves nothing wanting on the dancefloor. The number's driven by a bass loop that carries a lusty melody piped out by Cristina Vilallonga, while the strings play a dramatic supporting role. The irresistible tension builds into a crescendo with a hint of Bandoneon, a sprinkling of piano notes and other sounds lurking in a dark and murky atmosphere. "Domingo'' refers to Domingo Cura, the Argentine percussionist that Gotan Project was planning to record with, and a major source of inspiration for them. But as life would have it, he passed away a few months before the session. So instead the skilful Facundo Guevara pays homage to him with an intricacy of complex rhythms. On top of this, we hear the raspy voice of Afro-Argentine Jimi Santos pronouncing the numerous African words that pepper the world of tango: "Milonga, Candombe & Quilombo"!

Review: In the song "Mi Confesión", The suburban ghetto beats of modern day Buenos Aires meet traditional old school tango values. Crackly old 78's and Bandoneon styles favoured as backing for the Tango legends of the 40's Golden Agen pave the way for a new sound. Breakbeats, simple in form, booming electro subsonics and lyrical flow courtesy of local emcees; Koxmoz ­ aka Apolo Novax and Chili Parker, lay the next blueprint. Now Gotan Project send a bridge from the surbubs of Buenos Aires to the Favelas of Rio de Janeiro with Edu K (Popozuda Rock'n Roll) and Sandrinho. Wild Baile Tango Funk! Arrabal: Dub skanks and all things rooted fly round-trip from Kingston 10 down to Buenos, up to Barcelona, Paris and then back down South again, all in the space of a few minutes. Haaksman & Haaksman are providing the remix of Arrabal featuring Ras Donovan from Rhythm & Sounds. Buenos Aires, Paris, Kingston, Trinidad, Berlin. That's the global groove.

Review: We have all lost someone or something and been drawn into that melancholic swamp. Solal, with his "I lost Him" release on Ya Basta!, invites us to join him down in the backwaters of Tennessee countryside to wallow in our loss, to enjoy that moment of sweet sorrow and to be lifted back again by haunting vocals of Melonie Cannon. Meanwhile back on the eclectic dancefloors of Europe Ben Horn invites us to put on our cowboy boots and join the hoedown. Such good music makes us forget what we have lost.