ThisisUll Live - Friday 28th March 2008 – Adelphi – Black and White Tango
"I've had a bee in my bonnet about Black and White Tango for months now and have shared said bee with anyone who'd listen. Since then the relatively new band have played a string of gigs including some timely support slots and headlining at the ever popular Sesh night.
They caught my ear with the contrasting sounds of jazz rhythms, plaintive piano and sweeping vocal refrains. First to the keyboard - a place where I imagine many of Black and White Tango's songs originate.
There hasn't been a raft of keyboard players in this town playing on the circuit. There was the duo synth trickery from Last People, Simon from Ernest's grandiose expressions and of course the bubbling madcap fun of TopGun - still very much evident. Now we have Jamie; quiet, retiring Jamie who stands in half light amidst technology and creates drama and tension within the young bands songs.
It's real Stop what you're doing and listen kind of stuff. Then easily swinging the guitar back from around his shoulders, he rejoins the bands theatrical rock sound.
Black and White Tango's songs fearlessly blend the classical and contemporary incorporating jazz Beethoven and the emotive notions of indie rock bands such as Muse and Radiohead. Majesty, malevolence and effect laden keys create an atmosphere of uneasy beauty - a reluctant paramour, perhaps.
There is so much room for growth and development and in time I'm sure they will do both..."
