Francis Andreu: Francis (import)

It's hard to argue that Uruguayan Francis Andreu is the best modern tango vocalist since the advent of Argentina's Adriana Varela and Cristóbal Repetto. Unlike the early 20th century, high-pitched, nasal tone of Repetto, Andreu belongs to the Roberto Goyeneche school Varela mastered: that street, smoky, raspy, and disarming voice of a woman ready to either love you or kick you in the nuts, depending on the occasion. Like Repetto, though, Andreu chooses the minimalist guitar-only approach, courtesy here of producer Guzmán Mendaro, guitarist for Uruguayan rock band Hereford. The best track is also the shortest: "Encarala" (with Andreu coaching us in how to approach a woman in a decisive, confident way), with music by Mendaro and lyrics by Raúl "Brave Ink" Castro, one of the premier lunfardo poets in the Río de la Plata (lunfardo being the area's late 19th century street slang, widely utilized in tango poetry). At 1:43, it's an absolute gem you can watch on YouTube (look it up) and a reminder of what I see as the ideal Andreu: sure, she can sing the crowd-pleasing classics in concert; but, on record, I want her originals. And if they're written by Castro, even better. It took her 10 years to release her debut. Let us hope the second one comes sooner.

★★★ 1/2 (out of 5 stars)