Tango Republic Plays Finnish and Argentinian Music in New York City

Tango Republic, a quintet based in New York is a merged version of traditional tango from Argentina and Finland, and the modern Tango Nuevo. The instrumentation – violin, clarinet, piano, bass and drums – makes it eloquently adaptable in both worlds. For all true Finns, the first song on Tango Republic's self-titled album, "Satumaa" ("Wonderland") makes the heart tremble with a particular home-longing. It continues with "Liljankukka" ("Lily Flower"), a classic by the Finnish legendary tango composer, Toivo Kärki. The last three songs are by Ástor Piazzolla: Oblivion, Verano Porteño and Invierno Porteño.

These are well-performed pieces by this New York based group with a distinctive sound. The group demonstrates a particular kind of socioartistic elegance, which is worth all attention. I just wish the album weren't that short. Therefore, couple it with A Lark in the Snowstorm by Toivo Kärki and you'll have an ample portion of quality Finnish melancholia in your music collection.

Needless to say, if you are from Finland and live abroad, or you are interested in Finnish culture, this album will be one of the important cultural references, along with the Salmiaki, the Moomins and the Fazer Chocolate.