Achilles Liarmakopoulos

Tango Distinto

(Naxos)

When you think about it, Astor Piazzolla went from being peripheral to a cult figure in quite a short time, since when the thudding rhythm and erotic throb of the tango, especially in Piazzolla’s earthy and darkly-coloured vision of the dance, has gripped the musical world and attracted musicians of every hue, from Joanna MacGregor to Mr McFall’s Chamber. To be honest, I’ve always dipped in and out of tango albums: a little of it goes a long way, and I haven’t sat right through a CD of tangos until this one. Greek trombonist Achilles Liarmakopoulos, who plays with Canadian Brass, is an astonishing player, a musician of extraordinary subtlety and understatement. With the sweetest, most seductive tone imaginable, he glides through the Piazzolla classics, including the full Histoire du Tango, all three movements of the beautiful Serie del Angel, Michelangelo, Oblivion and a heart-wrenching, soulful rendition of Soledad. His group, including the great bandoneon player Hector del Curto, is superlative. An outstanding disc.

Michael Tumelty

Achilles Liarmakopoulos: Tango Distinto (Naxos)