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A Project You’ll Beg Your Boss For
The Gotan Project blends styles to impress audiences
Photo: Rainer Ojaste
For the last ten years these guys have been there, when Richard Gere, tangoed with Jenifer Lopez in Shall We Dance they were there; when gymnast Alicia Sacramone was doing her floor routine in the 2008 Summer Olympics, they were there; when Chuck danced the tango in season two of the television show by the same name, you know the season were he got the upgrade, they were there! So, before you say you don’t know them, remember, THEY WHERE THERE!!
The Gotan Project consists mainly of Philippe Cohen Solal from France, Eduardo Makaroff from Argentina and Christoph H. Muller from Switzerland, although they add many different instruments, musicians and vocals into the mix. Even “futbol” commentator Victor Hugo Morales who changed “Gooooooaaaaaalll” into “Gooooooootttaann” in “La Gloria”, track 5 on their new album Tango 3.0.
They formed in Paris France in 1999 and released their first work in 2000. Since then they have evolved into an amazing and successful Nuevo tango/hip-hop group. Their music has been in anything from British TV commercials to Hollywood feature films. The Gotan Project utilizes instruments not commonly used in their style of music like the bandoneón, and music not often played in association with tango like hip-hop and jazz.
After listening to their new album Tango 3.0, you will understand how their music can be interoperated many different ways depending on context. Though there is a clear tango theme in every track, there is also a slight club vibe with jazz and reggae undertones in selected songs like “Mil Millones” or blues, like in “Tango Square”. My favorites, however, are the ones that hold the stronger hip-hop influences like “Tu Misterio”, of which I thought I might just be seduced by the sultry singing voice of Cristina Vilallonga. The basic idea of what The Gotan Project try to do in all their music is involve as eclectic a mix as they can so it will be enjoyable for all listeners. This is a feat many musicians attempt, but none pull it off as well as this group.
Tango 3.0, the band’s latest album, was released on April 19. For more information on The Gotan Project you can go to www.gotanproject.com.