Julian Curwin (composer/leader of The Tango Saloon and The Mango Balloon) is about to launch a new album and project – named ‘Midnight Lullaby’, it is essentially a collection of dark lullabies, blending jazz, classical, film music and latin sounds. The album features an all-star ensemble of pianist Stu Hunter (The Migration, Tina Harrod, Moniker), bassist Lloyd Swanton (The Necks, Ambon, The catholics) and percussionist Jess Ciampa (Spaghetti Western Orchestra, The Tango Saloon, Brandenburg Orchestra).

Sadly, due to social distancing there will be no album launch. However, the Midnight Lullaby band will perform live, streamed by Johnston Street Jazz on May 7 at 8pm! Check it out at the Johnston Street facebook (can be viewed even without an account).

‘Midnight Lullaby’ is available for preorder now through Bandcamp.

As part of Romero Records moving their catalogue over to Bandcamp, two of our releases have this week been made available: ‘The Mango Balloon: Volume 2’, featuring Brian Campeau, and ‘In Black And White’ featuring Elana Stone.

While you’re over there please feel free to also check out some related artists that have recently made their way to Bandcamp – The Fantastic Terrific Munkle and Gauche.

Julian Curwin ‘The Mango Balloon Volume 4′

review by John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald (4.5 stars)

Julian Curwin loves opening trapdoors between set-in-stone idioms and in that sudden transfer of light and ideas, emancipating music from all slavishness to genre. Why he is not the most in-demand film composer in Australia – the world! – I don’t know, as he has the imaginative range and skills to shade any image with a perfect counterpoint. As time has passed he has reined in his instinct for affectionate parody, just as he has pared back his arrangements for his endlessly nuanced band. The music is instantly engaging and variously gentle, witty, sad or dramatic (without becoming histrionic). Each of the 14 pieces creates its own aural world, and yet each bears the unmistakable stamp of Curwin’s unique sonic dreams. This time his own guitars, Marcello Maio’s accordion and piano, Sam Golding’s trumpet and tuba, Mark Harris’ bass, Danny Heifetz’s drums and Jess Ciampa’s percussion are joined by the electric piano of guest Matt McMahon. Together they realise the little compositions with an impeccable blend of flair and restraint, whether leading us through desert soundscapes or tossing pebbles into Blue Lagoon.

To celebrate 5 years running as a label, Romero Records has just made their first 3 releases available for download on Bandcamp – that includes The Tango Saloon’s ‘Shadows & Fog’ and ‘Transylvania’, as well as the sci-fi/lounge/metal weirdness of Darth Vegas. Definitely worth revisiting, have a listen…

For the start of 2017, a slight change of pace… Cannibal Spiders is a new surf/punk ‘super group’ featuring Salooners Julian Curwin and Danny Heifetz, alongside regular Tango Saloon/Mango Balloon guest Brian Campeau and all-round nice guy Abel Cross. Check out the new album here, and see them launch it February 17 at Lazybones Lounge in Marrickville.

In other news, The Mango Balloon Volume 4 is moments away from completion. The special guest this time around is Matt McMahon, one of the finest keyboard players in the land. It’s sounding mighty fine, if we do say so ourselves, looking forward to sharing it with you very soon!

The Tango Saloon bandleader Julian Curwin, and regular Tango Saloon/Mango Balloon guest Shenzo Gregorio, join forces to create Pigeon Laundry, an odd little project that will make you laugh, cry, think, maybe do some stupid little dance… Preview the album here and keep updated on the release at the band’s facebook page.

From the vaults… stumbled across this ‘Suspicion’ outtake the other day, a little half-baked (and perhaps a tiny bit too cheesy, even for us) but figured it was worth sharing… working title Dos Almas (Two Souls) – naturally the souls are represented here by a couple of wonky recorders (the instrument’s Tango Saloon debut!)