Because of its distinctive sound and style, few new albums are likely to so easily divide music fans as Nhoah’s new Electronica / Punk / Tango album Tangowerk.

In the eighties Nhoah collaborated with Brian Pugsley (Sugarcubes), Larry Steinbachek (Bronsky Beat) and Gareth Jones (Depeche Mode), he continued through the nineties as an arranger and producer, working with the likes of the Pouges and gaining reputation and awards. He continued to expand into the art world, finally culminating in this, his first solo CD. Being primary a composer and arranger the actual tracks are vocalised by guest artists.

The fusion of the three styles shouldn’t work, but oddly it does, though that is not to say that its technical accomplishments always translate into excellent tracks. The CD is boxed together with a DVD and a booklet.

The album opens with 'One More Kiss' (5 min, 48 sec), featuring Louise Austen, a fusion of Kraftwerk synths, orchestration and a tango beat, setting out Tangowerk’s agenda. It works well and is one of the better more coherent tracks on the CD. The synths give the song a dated feeling, but this seems appropriate given the Tango’s place in musical history. Austen sings the song with great gusto, bringing real emotion to the song.

The rest of the CD is a real mixed bag of songs which work well and some whose retro elements actually spoil the overall experience of the song. Probably the worst example of this is 'Dancing on the Volcano' (4 min, 10 sec) featuring Headvoice, which sounds like a pastiche of a Sigue Sigue Sputnik song.

The weakness in the album is probably explained by the fact that it is only one part of a wider work which also involves a live stage version, in many ways it is the visual element which is missing. Hence, the inclusion of the DVD which showcases the tracks with videos, including a live rendition of 'Dancing on a Volcano', which works even better as a live number and explains the injection of a theatrical feel in some of the tracks.

Its disparate elements make for an interesting experience, whether you like the end result will very much come down to personal choice.

Nhoah brings together Berlin electronic music and Buenos Aires tango

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Charles Packer