LAST TANGO

I always love a richer timbre in the progressive rock that comes from violin or wind instruments. Esperanto music is one of this kind. 'Last Tango' is one of their three albums that I like the most. Duo violists Raymond Vincent (also the founding member) and Godfrey Salmon and Timothy Kraemer on cello successfully gave a strong musical concept of the album.

The opening track is an adaptation of The Beatles' 'Eleanor Rigby'. I agree with most of critics that praise this as one of the best adaptation of the song. It has a complex arrangement, glorious intro with nice theme and aggressive mood. The way the song is sung is also really different (in a good way).

'Still Live' is a great ensemble of orchestration and the rest of the band that reminds me a bit to Rick Wakeman's 'Journey to the Center of the Earth'. There are many great moments of conversation between string section with keyboards, with great back up from bass and drum sections. Love this kind of chemistry.

'Painted Lady' is a bit light tune, with great violin solo. The fade-out ending however is rather disturbing for me.

'Obsession' is a slow-pace track, with good vocal exploration. Again, the violin solo in the interlude is great.

'The Rape' is a very dynamic and beautiful composition lasts for 12 minutes. It started with fast-pace melodic violin with killer drums for almost a minute then enter the vocals in a bit slower pace. The mood changes several times but it flows great until the end.

'Last Tango' is somehow a good closing track (but in my opinion ? is not the best track of the album). Good vocals, and very strong Latin American flavor brought by the string section.

This is a great album for a unique band with a great sound so rich in timbres and has well-orchestrated tracks. Best track for me is 'The Rape' and 'Eleanor Rigby'. The later one is kind of track you'd really like to spin at loud and get yourself recharged.