A while back, we here at Big and Tall Records got a call from the Mariachi group that records for us, Un Grupo de Mexicali. They remembered we had mentioned that we were in the market for a Tango band, and they knew of a bonafide Tango and Milonga band in Buenos Aires, Argentina. We had quite a long conversation, and they assured us we would not be disappointed if we wanted to check them out. They had heard the group in person once when they were on a tour of South America, and they were blown away. They told us that every player in the group is not only a talented instrumentalist, but a more than competent vocalist!
A recommendation like that from Un Grupo de Mexicali was good enough for us to send an associate that is fluent in Spanish to Buenos Aires to check them out with the added authority to sign them to a contract. He did better than that! He signed them, found a recording studio in the city that could make room in their schedule to record. Our agent brought back an album of 5 Tangoes, all original. El Gato insisted that the groups premiere release eshould be a 5-song album, something we've not done before. New artists generally have a first release as one song, but our agent told us El Gato was very convincing (and adamant) that it be an album. He also brought back a very lengthy, detailed report about the group and details about their leader, the man they call El Gato! and the rest of the players You can find the report here and the Interview With El Gato, Part One here, and part Two of the interview here. For profiles of the band members, go here
Beso de Luna - Moonlit Kiss
Us ojos me miran mi cuerpo te siente
Un paso un suspiro La noche se enciende
Your eyes gaze at me The night itself ignites
First a step, then a sigh The night itself ignites
Beso de luna Piel con piel
Mi fortuna Sabor a miel
Moonlit kiss Skin against skin
My fortune A taste of honey
Tu mano me busca mi cintura se arquea
El ritmo nos junta la pasión no se niega
Your hand seeks me out My waist arches
The rhythm draws us together Passion cannot be denied
Beso de luna Piel con piel
Mi fortuna Sabor a miel
Moonlit kiss Skin against skin
My fortune A taste of honey
No hay tiempo no hay nada Solo este momento
Alma entregada Puro sentimiento
There is no time, there is nothing Only this moment
Soul surrendered Pure emotion
Beso de luna Piel con piel
Mi fortuna Sabor a miel
A kiss by moonlight Skin against skin
My great fortune, taste of honey again
Ya Canto el Tango - I Sing The Tango
Yo canto el tango porque es mi salvación
si me invitan a bailarlo yo pido explicación
Se me enreda la cola con tanta distinción
y hago una reverencia que termina en empujón
(¡Ay, qué desastre!)
Me sale el corazón
I sing the tango because it is my salvation
if they invite me to dance it I ask for an explanation
My tail gets tangled up with so much distinction
and I make a bow that ends in a shove
(Oh, what a disaster!)
My heart jumps out of my chest
Yo giro, tropiezo me pierdo al marcar
tu suela me mira como queriendo juzgar
Si doy un paso serio me sale otro fatal
Dicen que el gato cae de pie pero yo caigo fatal
I spin, I stumble I get lost when keeping the beat
your shoe sole looks at me as if wanting to judge
If I take a serious step the next one is fatal
They say a cat lands on his feet but I fall catastrophically
Yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
(porque bailar, no, no, no)
Yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
(y me sale mejor así)
Un bandoneón me salva cuando empiezo a caer
yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
y me quedo de pie
I sing the tango I sing the tango
(because dancing? No, no, no)
I sing the tango I sing the tango
(and it turns out better for me this way)
A bandoneon saves me when I start to fall
I sing the tango I sing the tango
and I stay on my feet
Anoche en la milonga quedé por aparentar
me puse cara de héroe y me fui de cola al bar
La dama me dijo suave"¿usted sabe caminar?"
le dije "sé una cosa: sé sufrir y sé cantar"
(¡Qué elegancia!)
No miento, soy así
Last night at the milonga I showed up just to keep up appearances
I put on my hero face and fell tail-first into the bar
The lady said to me softly, "Do you know how to walk?"
I told her, "I know one thing: I know how to suffer and I know how to sing"
(What elegance!)
I'm not lying, that's just how I am
Intento un giro noble me gana la balanza
mi sombra va de frente mi cuerpo va con demora
Si hago media vuelta rompo la porcelana
y el maestro de pista ya me persigue con la cara
I attempt a noble turn gravity wins the balance game
my shadow goes forward my body lags behind
If I do a half-turn I break the porcelain
and the floor manager is already chasing me with "the look"
Yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
(porque bailar, no, no, no)
Yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
(y me sale mejor así)
Un bandoneón me salva cuando empiezo a caer
yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
y me quedo de pie
I sing the tango I sing the tango
(because dancing? No, no, no)
I sing the tango I sing the tango
(and it turns out better for me this way)
A bandoneon saves me when I start to fall
I sing the tango I sing the tango
and I stay on my feet
Si tú quieres verme hacerlo de verdad
ponme una silla cerca y un vaso para afinar
Yo hago el drama entero la pose, la intensidad
pero al primer dos-cuatro me pierdo en la mitad
(Señor bandoneón) No me deje rodar
If you want to see me really do it right
put a chair near me and a glass to tune my voice
I'll do the whole drama the pose, the intensity
but at the first two-four time signature
I get lost right in the middle
(Mr. Bandoneon) Don't let me fall
Yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
(porque bailar, no, no, no)
Yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
(y me sale mejor así)
Si el suelo se complica yo lo dejo caer
yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
y me quedo de pie
Yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
(porque bailar, no, no, no)
I sing the tango I sing the tango
(because dancing? No, no, no)
I sing the tango I sing the tango
(and it turns out better for me this way)
If the floor gets complicated I just let it fall
I sing the tango I sing the tango
and I stay on my feet
I sing the tango I sing the tango
(because dancing? No, no, no)
Vuelve el Patio - The Courtyard Memory
Yo guardo la llave de aquel patio azul,
donde tu risa me volvía luz.
La ropa en el alambre, la tarde en flor,
y en la mesa vieja tu voz y mi amor.
Ay, cómo duele volver a mirar,
todo tan cerca tan lejos ya.
I hold the key to that blue courtyard,
where your laughter turned me into light.
Clothes on the line, the afternoon in bloom,
and on the old table, your voice and my love.
Oh, how it hurts to look back again—
everything so near, yet now so far away.
Vuelve el patio, vuelve el ayer
Vuelve en mi pecho tu modo de ser
Vuelve el patio vuelve a nacer
Todo lo que fuimos y ya no es
The courtyard returns, yesterday returns;
within my heart returns the essence of you.
The courtyard returns, it is born anew—
everything we once were, and are no more.
Baila la memoria sobre el mantel,
tengo en las manos polvo de papel.
La radio en silencio, la puerta también,
y yo te nombro como la primera vez.
Ay, cómo tiemblan mis ganas de hablar,
si en cada esquina te vuelvo a encontrar.
Memory dances across the tablecloth;
in my hands, I hold nothing but paper dust.
The radio is silent, the door is silent too;
and I speak your name just like the very first time.
Oh, how my urge to speak begins to tremble,
when at every corner I find you once again.
Vuelve el patio, vuelve el ayer
vuelve en mi pecho tu modo de ser
Vuelve el patio, vuelve a nacer
todo lo que fuimos y ya no es
The courtyard returns, yesterday returns;
within my heart returns the essence of you.
The courtyard returns, it is born anew—
everything we once were, and are no more.
Si cierro los ojos te oigo llegar,
con tus zapatos golpeando el umbral.
Y aunque la vida me quiera llevar,
yo me quedo aquí para recordar.
If I close my eyes, I hear you arriving—
the sound of your shoes tapping against the threshold.
And though life itself may try to pull me away,
I remain right here, simply to remember.
Vuelve el patio vuelve el ayer
vuelve en mi pecho tu modo de ser
Vuelve el patio, vuelve a nacer
todo lo que fuimos y ya no es
The courtyard returns, yesterday returns;
within my heart returns the essence of you.
The courtyard returns, it is born anew—
everything we once were, and are no more.
Baila Conmigo - Dance With Me
Te vi entrar con tu vestido al viento
y el salón se quedó sin aliento
Tu risa me llamó desde la mesa del fondo
y yo dejé mi pena apoyada en un hombro
I saw you enter with your dress flowing in the breeze,
and the whole room was left breathless.
Your laughter called out to me from the table in the back,
and I left my sorrow resting upon a shoulder.
Dame la mano vení más cerca
que esta noche larga pide tu vuelta
Si me mirás así se me desarma todo
y en un paso tuyo me pierdo yo solo
Give me your hand,come a little closer,
for this long night begs for your return.
If you look at me like that, I completely fall apart;
and with just a single step of yours, I lose myself entirely.
Baila conmigo toda la noche
Baila conmigo que nadie nos roce
Baila conmigo pegada a mi pecho
Baila conmigo y olvido el resto
Dance with me all through the night.
Dance with me— let no one brush against us.
Dance with me, pressed tight against my chest.
Dance with me, and I forget the rest.
Suda el salón late la madera
tu pollera dibuja una frontera
Yo te sigo el pulso sin hacer preguntas
porque en tu cintura se me ordena la ruta
The room grows warm with sweat,the wooden floorboards pulse;
your skirt traces out a boundary between us.
I follow your rhythm without asking questions,
for in the curve of your waist, my path becomes clear.
Tu perfume queda sobre mi camisa
y en cada giro tuyo la pena se me va de prisa
Your perfume lingers upon my shirt,
and with every turn you take, my sorrow quickly fades away.
Dame la mano vení conmigo
que el mundo afuera ya quedó dormido
Si me buscás la boca yo te la contesto
con un beso corto y un abrazo abierto
Give me your hand, come along with me,
for the world outside has already fallen asleep.
If you seek my lips,I will answer you
with a brief kiss and an open embrace.
Baila conmigo toda la noche
Baila conmigo que nadie nos roce
Baila conmigo pegada a mi pecho
Baila conmigo y olvido el resto
Dance with me all through the night.
Dance with me— let no one brush against us.
Dance with me,pressed tight against my chest.
Dance with me, and I forget the rest.
Cuando amanezca que nos encuentre juntos
con los zapatos gastados y el corazón al punto
Si todo se apaga quedate en mi centro
yo te guardo esta vuelta como un fuego lento
When dawn breaks let it find us still together—
our shoes worn thin, our hearts beating in perfect time.
If all the lights go out, stay right here at my center;
I will cherish this moment with you like a slow, smoldering fire.
Baila conmigo toda la noche
Baila conmigo que nadie nos roce
Baila conmigo pegada a mi pecho
Baila conmigo para siempre, mi tiempo
Dance with me all through the night.
Dance with me—let no one brush against us.
Dance with me,pressed tight against my chest.
Dance with me—forever, my love.
Camaleón Fernet - Fernet Chameleon
Yo canto el tango ya lo saben bien
Muevo la lengua como un tren.
Pero esta noche en el bodegón
Me encontré con un negro camaleón.
Fernet con coca un vaso dos
Y la garganta... ¡perdió la voz
I sing the tango you all know it well
I move my tongue like a train.
But tonight in the tavern
I crossed paths with a black chameleon.
Fernet and Coke one glass, two
And my throat has lost its voice!
Ya lo s-siento en el paladar
¡Che, bandoneón dejá de girar!
La letra era triste de puro dolor
Pero m'está f-fallando el motor.
¿Era "mi barrio"o era "mi barro"?
¡S'me pegan los dientes parezco un cacharro!
I can already f-feel it on my palate. Hey, bandoneon stop spinning!
The lyrics were sad, pure heartbreak. But my engine is f-failing me.
Was it "my neighborhood"or was it "my mud"?
My teeth are sticking together... Like covered in crud!
¡Ferné' de coca m'hace f-fataaaal!
El tango se f-fue ¡un desastre total!
Quise cantar como Gardel
Y m'estoy cayendo de la pared.
Fernet and Coke is f-fatal for me!
The tango is g-gone a total disaster!
I wanted to sing like Carlos Gardel...
And I'm falling down right off the wall.
¡Hic! ¡Salud! ¡Watch out!
Yo m'quedo de pie… ¡Ssss-tá l-listo!
Hiccup! Cheers! Watch out!
Us ojos me miran mi cuerpo te siente
Un paso un suspiro La noche se enciende
Your eyes gaze at me The night itself ignites
First a step, then a sigh The night itself ignites
Beso de luna Piel con piel
Mi fortuna Sabor a miel
Moonlit kiss Skin against skin
My fortune A taste of honey
Tu mano me busca mi cintura se arquea
El ritmo nos junta la pasión no se niega
Your hand seeks me out My waist arches
The rhythm draws us together Passion cannot be denied
Beso de luna Piel con piel
Mi fortuna Sabor a miel
Moonlit kiss Skin against skin
My fortune A taste of honey
No hay tiempo no hay nada Solo este momento
Alma entregada Puro sentimiento
There is no time, there is nothing Only this moment
Soul surrendered Pure emotion
Beso de luna Piel con piel
Mi fortuna Sabor a miel
A kiss by moonlight Skin against skin
My great fortune, taste of honey again
Ya Canto el Tango - I Sing The Tango
Yo canto el tango porque es mi salvación
si me invitan a bailarlo yo pido explicación
Se me enreda la cola con tanta distinción
y hago una reverencia que termina en empujón
(¡Ay, qué desastre!)
Me sale el corazón
I sing the tango because it is my salvation
if they invite me to dance it I ask for an explanation
My tail gets tangled up with so much distinction
and I make a bow that ends in a shove
(Oh, what a disaster!)
My heart jumps out of my chest
Yo giro, tropiezo me pierdo al marcar
tu suela me mira como queriendo juzgar
Si doy un paso serio me sale otro fatal
Dicen que el gato cae de pie pero yo caigo fatal
I spin, I stumble I get lost when keeping the beat
your shoe sole looks at me as if wanting to judge
If I take a serious step the next one is fatal
They say a cat lands on his feet but I fall catastrophically
Yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
(porque bailar, no, no, no)
Yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
(y me sale mejor así)
Un bandoneón me salva cuando empiezo a caer
yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
y me quedo de pie
I sing the tango I sing the tango
(because dancing? No, no, no)
I sing the tango I sing the tango
(and it turns out better for me this way)
A bandoneon saves me when I start to fall
I sing the tango I sing the tango
and I stay on my feet
Anoche en la milonga quedé por aparentar
me puse cara de héroe y me fui de cola al bar
La dama me dijo suave"¿usted sabe caminar?"
le dije "sé una cosa: sé sufrir y sé cantar"
(¡Qué elegancia!)
No miento, soy así
Last night at the milonga I showed up just to keep up appearances
I put on my hero face and fell tail-first into the bar
The lady said to me softly, "Do you know how to walk?"
I told her, "I know one thing: I know how to suffer and I know how to sing"
(What elegance!)
I'm not lying, that's just how I am
Intento un giro noble me gana la balanza
mi sombra va de frente mi cuerpo va con demora
Si hago media vuelta rompo la porcelana
y el maestro de pista ya me persigue con la cara
I attempt a noble turn gravity wins the balance game
my shadow goes forward my body lags behind
If I do a half-turn I break the porcelain
and the floor manager is already chasing me with "the look"
Yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
(porque bailar, no, no, no)
Yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
(y me sale mejor así)
Un bandoneón me salva cuando empiezo a caer
yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
y me quedo de pie
I sing the tango I sing the tango
(because dancing? No, no, no)
I sing the tango I sing the tango
(and it turns out better for me this way)
A bandoneon saves me when I start to fall
I sing the tango I sing the tango
and I stay on my feet
Si tú quieres verme hacerlo de verdad
ponme una silla cerca y un vaso para afinar
Yo hago el drama entero la pose, la intensidad
pero al primer dos-cuatro me pierdo en la mitad
(Señor bandoneón) No me deje rodar
If you want to see me really do it right
put a chair near me and a glass to tune my voice
I'll do the whole drama the pose, the intensity
but at the first two-four time signature
I get lost right in the middle
(Mr. Bandoneon) Don't let me fall
Yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
(porque bailar, no, no, no)
Yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
(y me sale mejor así)
Si el suelo se complica yo lo dejo caer
yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
y me quedo de pie
Yo canto el tango yo canto el tango
(porque bailar, no, no, no)
I sing the tango I sing the tango
(because dancing? No, no, no)
I sing the tango I sing the tango
(and it turns out better for me this way)
If the floor gets complicated I just let it fall
I sing the tango I sing the tango
and I stay on my feet
I sing the tango I sing the tango
(because dancing? No, no, no)
Vuelve el Patio - The Courtyard Memory
Yo guardo la llave de aquel patio azul,
donde tu risa me volvía luz.
La ropa en el alambre, la tarde en flor,
y en la mesa vieja tu voz y mi amor.
Ay, cómo duele volver a mirar,
todo tan cerca tan lejos ya.
I hold the key to that blue courtyard,
where your laughter turned me into light.
Clothes on the line, the afternoon in bloom,
and on the old table, your voice and my love.
Oh, how it hurts to look back again—
everything so near, yet now so far away.
Vuelve el patio, vuelve el ayer
Vuelve en mi pecho tu modo de ser
Vuelve el patio vuelve a nacer
Todo lo que fuimos y ya no es
The courtyard returns, yesterday returns;
within my heart returns the essence of you.
The courtyard returns, it is born anew—
everything we once were, and are no more.
Baila la memoria sobre el mantel,
tengo en las manos polvo de papel.
La radio en silencio, la puerta también,
y yo te nombro como la primera vez.
Ay, cómo tiemblan mis ganas de hablar,
si en cada esquina te vuelvo a encontrar.
Memory dances across the tablecloth;
in my hands, I hold nothing but paper dust.
The radio is silent, the door is silent too;
and I speak your name just like the very first time.
Oh, how my urge to speak begins to tremble,
when at every corner I find you once again.
Vuelve el patio, vuelve el ayer
vuelve en mi pecho tu modo de ser
Vuelve el patio, vuelve a nacer
todo lo que fuimos y ya no es
The courtyard returns, yesterday returns;
within my heart returns the essence of you.
The courtyard returns, it is born anew—
everything we once were, and are no more.
Si cierro los ojos te oigo llegar,
con tus zapatos golpeando el umbral.
Y aunque la vida me quiera llevar,
yo me quedo aquí para recordar.
If I close my eyes, I hear you arriving—
the sound of your shoes tapping against the threshold.
And though life itself may try to pull me away,
I remain right here, simply to remember.
Vuelve el patio vuelve el ayer
vuelve en mi pecho tu modo de ser
Vuelve el patio, vuelve a nacer
todo lo que fuimos y ya no es
The courtyard returns, yesterday returns;
within my heart returns the essence of you.
The courtyard returns, it is born anew—
everything we once were, and are no more.
Baila Conmigo - Dance With Me
Te vi entrar con tu vestido al viento
y el salón se quedó sin aliento
Tu risa me llamó desde la mesa del fondo
y yo dejé mi pena apoyada en un hombro
I saw you enter with your dress flowing in the breeze,
and the whole room was left breathless.
Your laughter called out to me from the table in the back,
and I left my sorrow resting upon a shoulder.
Dame la mano vení más cerca
que esta noche larga pide tu vuelta
Si me mirás así se me desarma todo
y en un paso tuyo me pierdo yo solo
Give me your hand,come a little closer,
for this long night begs for your return.
If you look at me like that, I completely fall apart;
and with just a single step of yours, I lose myself entirely.
Baila conmigo toda la noche
Baila conmigo que nadie nos roce
Baila conmigo pegada a mi pecho
Baila conmigo y olvido el resto
Dance with me all through the night.
Dance with me— let no one brush against us.
Dance with me, pressed tight against my chest.
Dance with me, and I forget the rest.
Suda el salón late la madera
tu pollera dibuja una frontera
Yo te sigo el pulso sin hacer preguntas
porque en tu cintura se me ordena la ruta
The room grows warm with sweat,the wooden floorboards pulse;
your skirt traces out a boundary between us.
I follow your rhythm without asking questions,
for in the curve of your waist, my path becomes clear.
Tu perfume queda sobre mi camisa
y en cada giro tuyo la pena se me va de prisa
Your perfume lingers upon my shirt,
and with every turn you take, my sorrow quickly fades away.
Dame la mano vení conmigo
que el mundo afuera ya quedó dormido
Si me buscás la boca yo te la contesto
con un beso corto y un abrazo abierto
Give me your hand, come along with me,
for the world outside has already fallen asleep.
If you seek my lips,I will answer you
with a brief kiss and an open embrace.
Baila conmigo toda la noche
Baila conmigo que nadie nos roce
Baila conmigo pegada a mi pecho
Baila conmigo y olvido el resto
Dance with me all through the night.
Dance with me— let no one brush against us.
Dance with me,pressed tight against my chest.
Dance with me, and I forget the rest.
Cuando amanezca que nos encuentre juntos
con los zapatos gastados y el corazón al punto
Si todo se apaga quedate en mi centro
yo te guardo esta vuelta como un fuego lento
When dawn breaks let it find us still together—
our shoes worn thin, our hearts beating in perfect time.
If all the lights go out, stay right here at my center;
I will cherish this moment with you like a slow, smoldering fire.
Baila conmigo toda la noche
Baila conmigo que nadie nos roce
Baila conmigo pegada a mi pecho
Baila conmigo para siempre, mi tiempo
Dance with me all through the night.
Dance with me—let no one brush against us.
Dance with me,pressed tight against my chest.
Dance with me—forever, my love.
Camaleón Fernet - Fernet Chameleon
Yo canto el tango ya lo saben bien
Muevo la lengua como un tren.
Pero esta noche en el bodegón
Me encontré con un negro camaleón.
Fernet con coca un vaso dos
Y la garganta... ¡perdió la voz
I sing the tango you all know it well
I move my tongue like a train.
But tonight in the tavern
I crossed paths with a black chameleon.
Fernet and Coke one glass, two
And my throat has lost its voice!
Ya lo s-siento en el paladar
¡Che, bandoneón dejá de girar!
La letra era triste de puro dolor
Pero m'está f-fallando el motor.
¿Era "mi barrio"o era "mi barro"?
¡S'me pegan los dientes parezco un cacharro!
I can already f-feel it on my palate. Hey, bandoneon stop spinning!
The lyrics were sad, pure heartbreak. But my engine is f-failing me.
Was it "my neighborhood"or was it "my mud"?
My teeth are sticking together... Like covered in crud!
¡Ferné' de coca m'hace f-fataaaal!
El tango se f-fue ¡un desastre total!
Quise cantar como Gardel
Y m'estoy cayendo de la pared.
Fernet and Coke is f-fatal for me!
The tango is g-gone a total disaster!
I wanted to sing like Carlos Gardel...
And I'm falling down right off the wall.
¡Hic! ¡Salud! ¡Watch out!
Yo m'quedo de pie… ¡Ssss-tá l-listo!
Hiccup! Cheers! Watch out!
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