What is the difference between tango and non-tango music? I don’t know. Even with a good musical definition of tango, it’s probably very different, which means defining its opposite will also be difficult. Perhaps non-tango music is music that doesn’t sound like tango, doesn’t use typical tango instruments, and has a completely different rhythm. I’ve seen entire tango communities argue about the music and playing of non-tango music at milongas, so I try to approach this topic very carefully. Nevertheless, I’d like to write about a truly beautiful gem of non-tango music that is sometimes played at milongas.

Soha is a French singer of Algerian descent. Some call her music Rhythm & Blues. Her debut album, ‘D Ici et d Ailleurs,’ was released in 2007. The song we want to talk about is called ‘Mil Pasos.’

‘Mil Pasos’ has a beautiful habanera rhythm and truly lovely Spanish lyrics. It’s actually a bit slow for a milonga and a bit fast for a tango, so I find it difficult to categorize. Perhaps it could be described as a slow milonga. It’s played at milongas and has also been adapted as show music.

Let’s look at some different show adaptations that will give us an idea of ​​how to dance this truly beautiful non-tango piece. Let’s start with the masters Homer and Cristina in 2010. They are performing at a Tango Nuevo festival. The dance style is fluid, alternating between a wide-open embrace for the energetic movements and a close embrace with very small movements.

This song is obviously well-suited for neotango, so let’s look at another couple. Bruno Tombari and Mariangeles Caamano are dancing the same song at the Alchemie Festival in Prague. They both seem to be having a lot of fun, and there are some random salsa(?) steps thrown in.

Another show here by Laure & Yannick Lhermitte from 2013. Although it doesn’t reach the technical perfection of Homer & Cristina, I actually like it very much because it is calmer and more elegant.

The next performance is by Ted Row and Heather Morrow from 2012. Here too, the approach is “Tango Liquid” and alternates between a close embrace and open neotango.

Another example, danced by Flavinha and John Freddy in 2012. I didn’t choose it because of the more artistic approach, but because of the solution to the problem of the fast beat.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRYtZ0fWLVI

The latter was danced by Barbara Carpino and Claudio Forte in 2010. A truly strong and creative couple.

So enjoy all these fantastic shows accompanied by very nice non-tango music. I just wonder why I still call it non-tango music?

Abrazos,

-Richard