Releases

Album and single releases

Julian Curwin ‘Midnight Lullaby’

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.

ML cover1400

Stuff Is Happening…

Things have been a little quiet on the Tango Saloon front of late, however there is a very special release/launch coming up from Saloon wrangler Julian Curwin and Saloon crooner Jane Sheldon. Their new duo collaboration ‘Crossing’ falls somewhere between early music and folk song, with a dash of film score and world music thrown in for good measure.  Official launch is June 1st at The Newsagency (74-76 Pyrmont Bridge Rd Annandale), with Showa 44 and Bonniesongs.

Meanwhile, new ideas are slowly bubbling for The Mango Balloon, and the band has two shows coming up at Gasoline Pony, a great little bar in Marrickville – June 22 in duo mode, and July 11 full band.

crossing cover

This one time, at 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.

tmb2   ibaw   munk   siesta

‘The Mango Balloon Volume 4’ review

MangoBalloon4

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.

The Mango Balloon launch / Romero birthday

Next month, Romero Records will put on a very special event to celebrate 5 years in operation. It will centre around an album launch for The Mango Balloon: Volume 4 (featuring keyboardist extraordinaire Matt McMahon) and will also include surf rockers La Tarantella, and Micky Stu’s Magical Polymba Experience (aka Mick Stuart).

April 20th at Lazybones Lounge in Marrickville, join the party!

banner

Cannibal Spiders, and new Mango Balloon!

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!

cannibal-spiders-cover

The Mango Balloon feat. Matt McMahon

The Mango Balloon is currently recording its fourth album (imaginatively titled ‘Volume 4’), which will feature Matt McMahon. One of Australia’s finest pianists, Matt is known for playing a wide range of music with the likes of Vince Jones, Phil Slater and Joseph Tawadros, as well as his own ensembles.

The debut performance of this collaboration, and your first chance to hear these new pieces, will be July 31st at Django Bar.

matt