Rating: NNN
“Tangotronica” is a hideous word, but it perfectly summarizes the work of Miguel Di Genova. Mixing the influence of his early 20th-century milonga albums with programmed beats and samples, the Argentine is on a one-man mission to update the classic tango music associated with Carlos Gardel, José Razzano and Juan D’Arienzo for the modern era.
Listening to his group’s second CD, Dos, it’s hard to picture a tuxedo-clad guy, pressed cheek-to-cheek with partner, dancing in linear lines to Di Genova’s updated take on the tradition. Especially when the beats get a little choppy on La Yumba or the sample vocal clips jump in and out jarringly. But the heart of Dos is still unmistakably tango, helped in no small part by Omar Massa’s soulful bandoneon work.
Otros Aires play Dovercourt House Saturday (April 26) and Lula Lounge Sunday (April 27).