Libertango.

• Author: Holston, Mark
• Position: Review

Gary Burton Libertango (Concord Jazz CCD-4887-2)

Recorded in Buenos Aires with some of Argentina's most celebrated tango musicians, North American vibraphonist Burton interprets a dozen works by the late composer Astor Piazzolla on this entrancing album. The recording serves both as a timely reminder of Piazzolla's greatness and of the enduring majesty of the tango, particularly Piazzolla's melodically sophisticated creations. "Tango is rare among music with folk origins," Burton writes in the album's liner notes. "Usually, a country's national music remains simple in structure; the average person can sing it, play it, or dance to it. But tango, like jazz, brought together the considerably developed traditions of Western European music and local folk influences and evolved into a sophisticated art form requiring the highest levels of musicianship."

Burton is perhaps the most...