Decca and Surco Records are proud to announce the new release of "Mar Dulce" (Sweet Sea) from Bajofondo, the Argentine-Uruguayan collective led by the two-time Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning composer of Brokeback Mountain and Babel, Gustavo Santaolalla. (The US version of Mar Dulce includes 'Boldozas Majados' featuring NELLY FURTADO and JULIETA VENEGAS adding her vocals to a new version of the international hit single 'Pa' bailar' entitled 'Siempre Quiero Mas') Bajofondo's previous self-titled release sold over 300,00 copies and was awarded the Latin Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental in 2003. As on their earlier recordings, "Mar Dulce" sees Bajofondo's seven virtuosic musicians lead listeners through a sensual soundscape of tango, trip-hop, drum & bass and pop elements that redefine the essence of tango for the 21st century. This newest installment in the Bajofondo oeuvre features guest performances by Elvis Costello, Nelly Furtado, Julieta Venegas, Gustavo Cerati, Ryota Komatsu, La Mala Rodriguez, Santullo, Juan Subira and the final recorded performance by legendary Uruguayan tango diva Lagrima Rios. The irrepressible energy of "Mar Dulce" also translates live. The Financial Times describes a Bajofondo performance at London's Barbican Center like this: "DJ Juan Campodonico triggered drum loops and samples that cross-fertilised with the more traditional tango ensemble of violin, bandoneón...and double bass, all of which were brilliantly played by masters of their instruments. The crowd went wild for it, invading the stage at the end and cheering for more with a standing ovation..." Bajofondo is comprised of Gustavo Santaolalla on guitar, percussion, and vocals; Juan Campodónico on programming, beats, samples and guitar; Luciano Supervielle on piano, keyboards and scratch; Javier Casalla on violin; Martín Ferrés on bandoneon; Gabriel Casacuberta on upright bass and electric bass; Adrián Sosa on drums; and Verónica Loza as VJ and on vocals. The new album, Mar Dulce, was recorded in real time. All the members played together in the studio as if they were a rock or a jazz group, which was a radically different approach from the first album. Mar Dulce was recorded in Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo and Madrid. The multiplicity of locations reflects the cosmopolitan attraction of Bajofondo, as well as the eclectic list of guest artists including the extraordinary British singer and composer Elvis Costello, Spanish rapper Mala Rodríguez, virtuoso Japanese bandoneon player Ryota Komatsu and several Rio de la Plata artists whose origins cover the entire gamut from traditional to vanguard. Uruguayan artists participating range from the great Lágrima Ríos (this would be her last recording) and guitarist Toto Méndez (musical director of Alfredo Zitarrosa's quartet) to electronica duo OMAR and vocalist Fernando Santullo, ex-Peyote Asesino, a band that also included Juan Campodónico. Argentine artists include Gustavo Cerati, the frontman for Soda Stereo, the most popular rock group in Latin America in the 1980s, and Juan Subirá, keyboardist and composer of Bersuit, one of the most popular bands in Argentine rock, who makes a surprising appearance on Mar Dulce as a singer, revealing another facet of his talents.
Although the Argentinean Gustavo Santaolalla has become famous in recent years for his film work, he is also one of the most important Latin music producers of the last two decades and has produced albums for Café Tacva, Juanes, Molotov, Dividido, and Julieta Venegas, among others. Now the musician makes a comeback as the brain behind Mar Dulce, the commendable second album from Bajofondo Tango Club. (Santaolalla is also a member of the group). As on its first album, this group mixes electronic music with tango, but this album is far from being a mere copy of its predecessor. For Mar Dulce's 17 songs, Santaolalla invited some of the most creative singers of the moment to contribute performances such as "El mareo" (Gustavo Cerati), "Fairly Right" (Elvis Costello), "Slippery Sidewalks" (Nelly Furtado), and "Pa' Bailar, siempre quiero más" (Julieta Venegas). --Ernesto Sánchez (People en Español)
Aunque el argentino Gustavo Santaolalla se ha hecho famoso en los últimos años por su trabajo en el cine, además es uno de los productores de música latina más importantes de las últimas dos décadas, ha producido discos para Café Tacva, Juanes, Molotov, Dividido y Julieta Venegas, entre otros. Ahora el músico regresa como el cerebro detrás del segundo disco de Bajofondo Tango Club (grupo del cual además forma parte), Mar Dulce el cual es francamente muy recomendable. Tal como la primera producción del grupo este disco mezcla la música electrónica con el tango, pero para nuestra suerte este álbum está muy lejos de ser una copia del anterior. Mar Dulce contiene 17 canciones que no le permiten distraerse o aburrirse un segundo. Además Santaolalla invitó a algunos de los cantantes más creativos del momento para colaborar en temas como "El mareo" con Gustavo Cerati, "Fairly Right" con Elvis Costello, "Slippery Sidewalks" con Nelly Fustado o "Pa' Bailar, siempre quiero más" con Julieta Venegas, entre otros. --Ernesto Sánchez (People en Español)
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
Just a travesty of Tango..........What? Mar Amargo:
Bajofondo Tango Club is electronic music based on a variety of influences, this is not Argentine Tango; do not allow to be fooled by the uneducated in the essence of Argentine Tango. The two remaining greats of argentine tango Mariano Mores and Horacio Salgan still alive today both semi-retired are the last two great exponents of what tango represents, as an art form. After the passing of the great Astor Piazzolla it has been no indication that a new generation of Argentinean tango composers will carry on... more info
As if the tango rhythm wasn't pleaseant enough, mixing it with eletronic made this song so delicious to listen and to dance to!!!!!...Veronica (Cesar's wife)...:)
disappointing:
Very disappointed. Album got great reviews but unfortunately this isn't one of them. Too disco for my tastes. Would have preferred that they follow the lead of groups like the Gotan Project.
Tango Plugged In to XXI Century Buenos Aires (4.5 stars):
For those who are not familiar with traditional Tango nor heard any of the current representatives of its electro-forms, it worth knowing that Gustavo Santaolalla's production and leadership as well as Daniel Melingo's voice in a couple of tracks, makes this album something you ought to explore immediately. Just like it happened with Astor Piazzolla--I'm comparing reactions to new versions of a traditional musical form, not suggesting that these guys are as revolutionary nor seminal as the great... more info
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