Reverb Central .:. Review .:.

Django Twango are the descendent of Seattle's Deep End. This first official CD expands on the demos from last year with impressive power and suave arranging. Joe Jabon continues to use surf instrumentals as a foundation, but is far beyond that, with a sound somewhere between the Aqua velvets and the Mermen. recorded in the basement, yet much better than the vast majority of home recordings. Excellent CD!

Picks: 007 / Goldfinger, Arubaderci, Night In Tunisia, The Sheik Of Hips, Smoking Panatelas on the Blue Mediterranean Sea, Pink Panther, Hawaii Five-0, Sunset, Apache, Surf Rider, Anna Vienna / Miserlou, Into The West - Horus

Surf (Instrumental)

Rich in reverb and Fender twang, Django Twango pace themselves with the confidence of excellent musicians. No need for rushing when the playing falls in place so well. "007/Goldfinger" ebbs and lows with grace and liquid charm. The swirly modulation to play the bridge adds variety.

Surf (Instrumental)

Brought forward from Joe Jabon's days fronting the Deep End, "Arubaderci" is a totally KILLER version of one beautiful song! This grand song floats on a sea of thick whammy and romance, taking you drifting with it to a peaceful desert isle. Incredible!

Surf (Instrumental)

Dizzy Gillespi' groovy "Night In Tunisia" first came to light as a surf-instro for rock bands at the hands of Laika and the Cosmonauts. While this arrangement surely was born there, it also has its own charm.

Surf (Instrumental)

Arabian mysteries unfold through the smoothly haunting sound and infectious melody. This track belongs on a soundtrack somewhere! The circular melody is compelling, mysterious, and fluid. Over time, this song grows more and more on you.

Surf (Instrumental)

Miles Corbin's inspired lounge epic "Smoking Panatelas on the Blue Mediterranean" gets a different kind of liquefaction than the Aqua Velvets originated it with. The sultry intend is there, the summer evening on the verandah, and the after dinner deathtube. Very nice.

Surf (Instrumental)

Some very tasteful guitar work carries Henry Mancini's sultry goof-ball theme into a slithery world of coy seduction. Very nice track.

Surf (Instrumental)

Slowed some from the usual cover, but not as slow and silky as the Mermen, this version of Mort Shuman's TV theme floats on gently rolling swells of echoed guitar and subdued keys. This is quite pretty. That is of course before the second half kicks in with reverb and refined gusto.

Surf (Instrumental)

Born of the sort of circular guitar line that Miles Corbin so powerfully writes, "Sunset" shows off Joe Jabon's well developed creative sense. It's a beautiful song with a floating sense and lush whammy paradise vision.

Surf (Instrumental)

Too often played with little or no imagination, Jerry Lordan's compelling "Apache" is very nicely rearranged. The opening is created by the addition of a couple of verses from "Hiawatha" (the theme from an early sixties Hamm's beer commercial - "From The Land Of Sky Blue Water"). This sets the stage for a whole new direction, more tribal, almost Davie Allan like in drama, but more subtle. Once "Apache" arrives, the tribal drama keeps it in the serious arena. The underlying arrangement is the Shadows and not Jorgen Ingmann, but there ends the comparison. Very cool!

Surf (Instrumental)

Significantly silkenned, yet edgy and powerful, Nokie Edwards' song brought to the fore by the Lively Ones is face-lifted and thickened up. Full and commanding, with a swirly midsection.

Surf (Instrumental)

Impala's powerful "Anna Vienna" is a power-driven surf grind, with glissandoes and thick whammy, delivering a middle eastern fury. The break comes on with a howling feedback before powering double picking, and slides back via feedback. This compelling performance slides into "Miserlou," which is slowed and sultry, with a powerful drama and eerie ambiance. Unlike other covers, except perhaps the slither of the backtrack to Drew Weaver and the Alvarados' version.

Surf (Instrumental)

Jim Thomas's epic "Into The West" is haunting and thick with power. The Galaxy Trio's "Horus" is exotic and heavy. The two songs together are an excellent combination.