Tango Legends

Uruguayan tango singer Vayo Raimondo, performing simply as Vayo, dedicates his third album to the memory of the bandoneón master Toto Damario, one of the three musicians, along with guitarist Mario Nuñez and double bassist Miguel Pose, who accompanies him on the disc. The bandoneón, an accordion-like instrument, provides the basic sound of tango, especially the Montevideo-bred version followed by Vayo. Although there are originals here, including the singer's own "Yo Soy un Tango" (I Am a Tango), this is a traditional collection, and Vayo's insistence on emphasizing the music and the playing of Damario over himself leads him, in an odd gesture, to absent himself from seven of the 19 tracks, leaving them to be played instrumentally by the trio of musicians. When he does step in, Vayo displays a powerful, clear baritone voice and a good sense of rhythm, an important element in tango. Although it perhaps should be co-credited to Damario, Tango Legends is an excellent expression of tango music.