Argentine Tango is not mainstream music to be blasted on radio stations, in restaurants, or bars.

For sure, you’d probably heard some tango somewhere. And perhaps your grandparents or parents have danced it in various forms.

Or maybe you already took ballroom dance classes. Or you might already know Por Una Cabeza from the movie Scent of a Woman.

No matter if you’ve heard Argentine Tango music before or not, I can assure you that once you get a taste of it, you’d be hooked.

Argentine Tango is addictive. It takes you in its grip, goes deep into your heart, and never lets you go. It wants you to dance. Nonstop.

I’ve been in love with Argentine Tango for almost five years now – you can find my tango story after the list of albums. I went from tanguera (female tango dancer) to Tango DJ and now to being an instructor, too.

I love to share my love for Argentine Tango with everyone. And I think the easiest way to get acquainted with it is by listening to the music it is danced to.

From the classic to the nuevo and fusion, here are some albums that can make your days much brighter. Oh , and by the way, you can listen to samples from all the songs.

Romantica Milonguera: Romantica Milonguera
Romantica Milonguera is probably the best and hottest Tango Orchestra in the world right now. They play classic songs that you’ll recognize very easily. And especially in this album, you’ll listen to songs such as Poema, Todo es Amor or Bomboncito. If you are already a tango dancer, you’ll be delighted to listen to them. Non-dancers will be able to discover classic tango without the screeching of old vinyl.

Tango Music from Argentina: Best Argentine Tango Songs for Dancing
You will recognize most songs from this album. However, they are not from the orchestras we are used to from our milongas, unless of course, the TDJs want to experiment a bit. They are a great introduction to tango for non-dancers, though.

Argentine Tangos
An album by Jo Basile, which features classic songs, including the infamous “Adios, Muchachos”.
Jo Basile was a French accordionist and composer, who was active from the 1950s to the 1970s.
Non-dancers will probably find this album a bit harder to “digest”.

The best of Argentine Tango Vol. 1 / 78 rpm recordings 1925 – 1955
These are the songs dancers already recognize. They make our hearts leap and our feet head straight to the dance floor. The melodic songs are excellent as an introduction to the Argentine tango world for those who don’t dance yet.
From the same series, you can also purchase:

• The best of Argentine Tango Vol. 2 / 78 rpm recordings 1927 – 1957
• The best of Argentine Tango Vol. 3 / 78 rpm recordings 1927 – 1957
• The best of Argentine Tango Vol. 4 / 78 rpm recordings 1928-1958

Tangos Orilleros by Juan D’Arienzo y su Orquestra Tipoca (CD, 2004)
For beginners, D’Arienzo provides the rhythm they can easily feel. For more advanced dancers, he can be quite challenging at times. In every milonga (tango party), you’ll certainly hear a tanda (a set of 4 songs) by his orchestra. And his songs are always part of classes and practicas.
This album, in particular, has some songs that you probably know already from classes, practicas, and milongas.

Bailando Me Diste un Beso – Francisco Canaro, Su Orquesta & Cantantes
This album includes classics such as “Poema”, “Se Dice de Mi”, and “Milonga Brava”. For many dancers, Canaro is probably the first love. And surely, it is an orchestra that’s not missing from any milonga. For non-dancers, it’s music to be discovered.

Desde el alma – Osvaldo Pugliese
For the more “hardcore” of us, there’s always Pugliese. While I love to dance to this orchestra, I know a lot of dancers who disappear from the ronda if there’s a Pugliese tanda. To each its own. Non-dancers, oh well, if you listen, it’s on you.

Osvaldo Pugliese Con la Voz de Roberto Chanel
I did warn you that I like Pugliese. I can guarantee that, if you don’t run from the ronda when Pugliese is played, you will recognize many of the songs in this album.

Tú… El Cielo y Tú – Carlos di Sarli
Without a doubt, these are songs that you will recognize if you are a dancer. For non-dancers, di Sarli sounds very melodic and can be a great introduction in the world of Argentine tango.

El Señor del Tango. Carlos Di Sarli y Su Orquesta Típica
My personal favorite collection, also from di Sarli. It includes “Cascabelito”, a song that I’ve come to love. The classical songs will appeal to dancers and non-dancers.

La Colección Definitiva – Maria Dolores Pradera
About half a year into my tango journey, I discovered Maria Dolores on my instructor’s laptop. I got hooked. It’s a fusion / nuevo sound that will certainly appeal to non-dancers!

And a bonus: A book

When the Embrace Whispers – Dimitris Bronowski
When the Embrace Whispers is a novel about Sarah, a woman yearning for more beyond the ordinary. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers tango, leading her into a world brimming with passion and self-discovery.

This story beautifully intertwines Sarah’s journey through love, loss, friendship, and the courage to pursue her heart’s desires. It’s a poignant tale that celebrates life’s unexpected turns, the rediscovery of passion, and the liberating power of dance.

This novel, exploring themes of freedom and transformation, is a testament to finding joy and meaning in unforeseen places. It’s a powerful reminder to embrace life’s rhythms and the beauty of second chances.

My Tango Story

Back in August 2017, after returning from a concert we decided we’d skip, we ended up on a pedestrian street where we have our base in Romania. I heard some nice music and people were dancing so elegantly. I knew that there was an event called “Tango Steps in Arad” (In pasi de tango prin Arad, Ro., part of the Days of the City program).

What I didn’t know is that it didn’t take much to fall in love. On the spot. Several days later we went to another spot to see them dancing again. And I took my first Argentine Tango Steps. And again, on the third event, both I and my husband took some steps with the instructors from TangoVivo Arad.

When they started a new beginner’s course, we were there. That was in September 2017.

Fast forward to December 2019 and I’m DJing my first milonga (tango party). And in June 2021, together with my husband, we’ve taken over the beginner’s course to teach ourselves.

Life happened once again, and as of January 2023 we’re teaching Argentine Tango as part of our own project: Cris & Alex Tango.

Among the chaos that 2020 has been for everyone, the tango community suffered badly. Studios got closed, events paused, and we were forced to take our dancing indoors. Those who don’t have a partner at home ended up dancing with inanimate objects on online milongas (yes, that’s a thing, and no, I’m not kidding).

One of my favorite past times during those months was to create new Argentine Tango playlists to listen to and share with friends. Hence, this article.

>>If you happen to be in Arad, Romania, and want to learn how to dance Argentine Tango, want to take private class, attend a practica, or dance in a milonga we organize, drop me a line and we’d be delighted to guide your steps on the ronda!

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