When I purchased this CD I had some doubts, I wasn't that familiar with the artist, but now I can't get enough, the music is just wonderful, the whole recording just gets better as it proceeds--if you love JAZZ or CLASSICAL, you will love this. I had a dinner party and put this CD on--everybody stopped what they were doing, and just listened for a half hour--its terrific, and I highly recommend it. Its "JUST MESMORIZING"

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Since the death of Astor Piazzolla seven years ago various musicians around the world in both classical and jazz fields have been absorbing and mulling over his important contribution to the tango and to music in general. The completely fresh approach he developed encourages performers to find a fresh approach to arranging and presenting both his music and music in his general style. Pablo Ziegler has a leg up on his effort since he was the spectacular pianist in Piazzolla's last quintet. Piazzolla encouraged him to improvise in his own manner, and that meant with a greater influence of both his classical and jazz training than heard in most works of Piazzolla. Ziegler brought in saxophonist Joe Lovano, for one thing. Aside from Gerry Mulligan's famous album with Piazzolla, there has been little use of saxophone in the new tango. The dance form the milonga, closely associated with the tango, is reworked in a jazz guise by Ziegler in some of the tracks. One is described by him as a "milonga a la Chick Corea." The quintet has only a single bandoneon rather than a row of them as in the Piazzolla's band, and the guitar has a strong role in the ensemble. I find this the most successful blend of modern jazz and tango I've yet heard.

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Deeply moving, neatly recorded, passionate interpretations by a master of the new argentine tango. A historical recording. Ziegler's scores and music are addictive!

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Now I believe Ziegler,a jazz master,is the best interpreter of Piazzola's tango. Only he can get the spirit of Piazzola.

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Pablo Ziegler worked for and collaborated with Astor Piazzolla for a long time and with the release of "Asfalto" proves himself to have been an apt pupil. This album is entirely up to the standards of the late master with every piece being eminently listenable.I was afraid that Ziegler, great pianist that he is, would spend the remainder of his career solely as an interpreter of Piazzolla's work. That in itself would be a tall order for any musician.But on "Asfalto", Ziegler's musical personality has begun to emerge and he shows himself a bandleader in his own right.Sure, Ziegler performs many Piazzolla compositions here, and with panache, but he also builds upon themes introduced by Piazzolla. In addition, we are introduced to some Ziegler compositions, the construction of which shows that he has learned the art of New Tango well. I can't pick a favorite here. I like the entire recording.

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If you are a dancer, you are probably doing basically salon tango. The more advanced dancers and instructors may be involved in the "fantasy tango" style of dancing. This has a little of both, plus, for non-dancers, some nice jazzy tango listening. I felt that the title "Asfalto: Street Tango," was a bit misleading. I was almost expecting some variation of canyenge style tango. I like the music. I have seen some really brialliant choreography to the title song at demonstrations in both Montreal and Washington. The music inspires the imagination to what is possible in a dance interpretation of the work.

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Piazolla elavated tango to a new artistic level, from simple utilitarian music to be danced, to suddenly music that stands proudly on its own artistic merit. Ziegler continues this tradition. The most startling difference is the addition of drum set to the tango ensemble. This adds a whole new dimension of drive and excitment, although possibly a step away from the intimacy of Piazolla's ensemble style. I will always admire the classic romantic sound that Piazolla preserves throughout his compositions, but I find the Ziegler finds his way into my stereo even more often! I highly recommend this album for those who love the Piazolla sound but also enjoy more a more frantic, rhythmic sound. This is music to be appreciated on all levels, intellectual, emotional, and certainly in your groove thang!

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Pablo Ziegler's Asfalto is living proof of how tango can benefit with evolution. Ziegler was Piazzola's piano player and he has incorporated many of the techniques and learnings from his mentor and, as Piazzola did, delivered modern and incredible interpretation of tango music. The Tango and related styles are a very complex and emotional music that like other emotional styles such as Blues and Flamenco owes a great deal to the interpreter. In this case, Ziegler and his band do justice to the music with a passional but well though performance. This record show the future of tango as a very relevant and valid musical style.

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