Gotan Project

Gotan Project is the unique band formed in 1999 in Paris. The very name of the group has it’s own story: Gotan is a slightly changed word Tango, which is quite logical, because the musicians experiment with tango, using some new elements, such as samples and beats. The full name of the band is an allusion to the famous album Tango Project. Such musicians as Carlos Gardel and Alfredo Le Pera took parts in creation of that record and it was released in 1982. Apart from the original material musicians of Gotan Project are very good at cover-versions and Frank Zappa’s Chunga's Revenge is the bright example. That composition was included to the band’s debut album La Revancha del Tango, released in 2001.

Gotan Project’s music is unique, and not so many bands create the music of the same style. But it only emphasizes the originality of Gotan Project on the world music stage. As a matter of fact, tango is quite called-for nowadays: the composition Santa Maria (del Buen Ayre) from the debut album was used in the movie Shall We Dance with with Jennifer Lopez and Richard Gere. Another song from La Revancha del Tango was included into the soundtrack of Ocean's Twelve. Tango creates an atmosphere, especially if performed by Gotan Project.

In 2004 Philippe Cohen Solal released his DJ set Inspiración Espiración - A Gotan Project DJ Set Selected & Mixed by Philippe Cohen Solal, which included some rare records, previously unreleased remixes and 4 original Gotan Project’s tracks. In 2006 the band issued their third studio work titled Lunatico, which is considered to be one of the best albums of the trio. While creating that album the musicians collaborated with singer Cristina Vilallonga, pianist Gustavo Beytelmann and bandoneónist Nini Flores. The musical fantasy of the members of Gotan Project allows them to create incredibly ambient music, and Lunatico was the strong proof of that.

Gotan Project’s album Tango 3.0 was released in 2010. That record let the music lovers enjoy tango in different shapes: there is the classical Spanish guitar, very gentle arrangements and even the elements of trip-hop. The trio is faithful to their style, however they are not afraid to experiment with the sound. And that is why Gotan Project managed to find so many fans of their music all over the world.