Tanda of the Week

2025-39 Carlos Di Sarli tango tanda

For the 39th week of 2025, I picked another classic: Carlos Di Sarli. This time, he’s joined by both Roberto Florio and Jorge Durán on vocals. Even though only two of the songs in this tanda are actually duets, I still listed both singers in the title. Why? A little tango trivia—just a few years after these tracks, Florio and Durán teamed up to start their own orchestra. With Orlando Trípodi at the helm, they went on to record 16 pieces together. If you remember hits like “Porteño y bailarín,” “Tus labios me dirán,” or “Sueño de juventud,” you’ve already heard some of Di Sarli and Durán’s best moments. Durán’s vocals really shine in those early classics.

2025-38 Roberto Firpo tango tanda

For the 38th week of 2025, I’ve picked a name you don’t hear much at milongas, but he’s a big deal in tango history: Roberto Firpo. This week, I’m spotlighting his orchestra’s instrumental tangos from 1935 to 1937. Now, when I say “orchestra,” I mean it. Firpo also recorded with his quartet around this time, but in my humble opinion those tracks don’t really fit the vibe for milongas. Still, if you just want to listen and soak in Firpo’s style, they’re a treat. Here’s a fun fact: Firpo recorded between 1,800 and 3,000 songs during his career. That’s a staggering number. He’s seen as one of the most traditional tango musicians, but also one of the most creative and productive.

2025-37 Rodolfo Biagi vals tanda

I’ve been spinning this week’s tanda at my live milonga sets for ages. Honestly, it never fails. People always fill the floor. This set features Rodolfo Biagi’s orchestra, with Alberto Amor on vocals. Out of the 30 tracks they recorded together, here’s the breakdown: - 2 milongas - 24 tangos - 4 valses Let’s talk about those valses. Here they are in the order they were recorded: - Prisionero (1943) - Paloma (1945) - Aroma de amor (1946) - Mañana por la mañana (1946)

2025-36 Conjunto Berretín contemporary tango tanda

As the days grow cooler here in the Northern Hemisphere, I’ve put together a tanda that reflects the changing mood. It’s emotional but gentle—like a warm scarf on a crisp evening. Nothing too heavy, just the right mix of warmth and introspection. This week’s pick comes from Conjunto Berretín’s most recent album, La mariposa. About the band: https://www.conjuntoberretin.com [https://www.conjuntoberretin.com/] They've released four albums since 2003 and have performed at major tango festivals across the US. Over the years, they’ve collaborated with tango legends like Alberto Podestá, Ariel Ardit, and María Volonté.

2025-35 Orquesta Típica Victor tango tanda

Welcome to week 35’s tanda for 2025. This time, I’ve picked Orquesta Típica Victor—probably the most famous of all the house orchestras. On vocals, we have Roberto Díaz. Here’s a fun fact: the first track is a duet with Juan Carlos Delson and Díaz. They only recorded two tangos together. Still, you’ll see Roberto Díaz’s name in the spotlight. That’s because he sang more than 80 tracks with different orchestras—a pretty big deal back then. Díaz was a go-to singer for big orchestras until 1935. One of my personal favorites is "Cásate conmigo." He recorded it with the Fresedo orchestra in 1935. If you haven’t heard it, give it a listen sometime.