Tangos

Ruben Blades is famous for his acting, his activism, and of course his salsa music. But the singer/composer goes in a different direction on *Tangos*, partnering with talented Argentine pianist/arranger Carlos Franzetti to reinterpret some of the singer’s greatest songs into tangos. The two have a history going back before Blades became known as the one of the greatest salsa musicians of his generation, so this pairing is a natural one. Franzetti brings panoramic orchestral arrangements that keep the melodies intact, but they step, turn, and dip as adeptly as any tango song could hope for on classics like “Paula C” and “Pablo Puebla.” Franzetti also draws upon the Afro-Cuban feel of the original arrangements at times—check out the charanga infused into “Pedro Navaja” and the insistent “Adan Garcia.” For his part, Blades’ voice is in fine shape, displaying a soaring range on “Ella” and offering a smoldering but delicate performance on “Tiempos.” A singular phrasing highlights “Vida.” Yet another side to the multifaceted Ruben Blades, this will be a fun, fresh experience for his many fans.

Grammy Best Pop Latin Album (2015) Grammy Latino Mejor Álbum de Tango (2014) Blades chose to rework 11 of his classic salsa compositions into the tango idiom, surrounding himself with a superb cast of collaborators. First and foremost is Argentine arranger and music director Carlos Franzetti, with the Leopoldo Federico Orchestra and the City of Prague Symphony Orchestra.