The creative process leading to a particular product often first reveals itself afterward, i.e. when it has occurred. From the outcome, it all of a sudden becomes clearer in which way causalities led to the result. I had in no way planned that the Tangofied releases should end up as a trilogy. It just happened that way; the first CD brought about the other two.
Tangofied (2012), was recorded in Buenos Aires with Argentine musicians in collaboration with pianist and arranger Diego Schissi. It is heavily inspired by the sounds of Astor Piazzolla’s last releases, and it’s dramatic chamber musical expressiveness featuring the archetypical Argentine instrument the bandoneón. Tangofied II was more inspired by Argentinean folk music and was partly recorded in Buenos Aires in collaboration with Ernesto Snajer and Mariano ‘Tiki’ Cantero, partly in Denmark with my usual band. Both releases were nominated for Danish Music Award — Jazz in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
The current release, Tangofied III, has finally returned at home in every way. It is recorded only using my Danish band The Tangofied Ensemble plus added collaborations with different musical friends: Peter Rosendal (piano), Anders Singh Vester Dahl (accordion), Andrea Pellegrini (vocals) and Benedikte Artved (viola).
Overall, one could ask, from where the music in the Tangofied trilogy springs. It is not easy to give a brief, let alone meaningful answer to this question. Therefore, let it just be noted that I sense a kinship between the melancholia in Nordic jazz and the elegiac nostalgia of Argentinian tango music. There is something in that crossfield which reaches out to me – and I just followed this hunch without too much-organized reflection or ulterior motive. The focal point was: can I create a meaningful hybrid halfway between the two genres?
If the project succeeds, I will leave up to you to decide. For myself, the Tangofeid trilogy — using a Japanese reviewer words about Tangofied II, — is “not a mere research project into the nature of Argentine tango. Rather, it is Torben’s search for himself, through ten Compositional jewels that invite the listener into a new world “(The Walker’s, Japan, 2014).
1. Clever Little Me
2. Leo
3. Ab Ovo
4. Bach
5. Aristoteles
6. Kogle
7. Hugo
8. Sjællands Odde
