Si sos Brujo (A Story of Tango)

Accurately pitched in the accompanying PR as the “Buena Vista Social Club of tango,” Caroline Neal's Si sos Brujo records the efforts of young Argentinean musicians to recover and preserve the styles of the great 1940s and ‘50s tango orchestras before the techniques are lost forever. The players searched out old scores and recordings with the aim of reconstructing arrangements, but later decided to form a new group, encouraging legendary musicians (now in their 80s) to teach them their particular styles, while also looking for someone to serve as conductor. Si sos Brujo eventually becomes a heartwarming portrait of the man who ultimately takes up the baton—the reedy, semi-retired Emilio Balcarce, who is effectively restored to full vigor by returning to the music he loves. Under Balcarce's direction, the orchestra ultimately develops a new generation of tango musicians, winning applause from appreciative audiences, and approval from admirers such as Wynton Marsalis. One needn't be a tango fanatic to enjoy this charming and affecting music documentary, which is full of infectious musical interludes. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)