Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
Fabrice Knecht Tango DJ
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These Tangos, Valses, and Milongas were recorded around the same time. Take a look to discover what else this orchestra—or others—may have recorded during the same week or even on the exact same day.
Azabache is a Tango written by Homero Expósito and composed by Enrique Francini.
The lyrics of “Azabache” evoke a vivid narrative set within the historical San Telmo neighborhood of Buenos Aires. This tango song captures the echoes of African candombe rhythms that pervade the streets, symbolizing a blend of nostalgia and cultural memory. The recurrence of the phrase “¡Candombe! ¡Candombe negro!” ties the piece to African influences in Argentinian culture, which include the tragic legacy of slavery but also the resilient spirit of the African community. This song brings alive a Buenos Aires rich in its historic layers, where the past permeates the present.
The word “Azabache,” referring to a type of hard, dark, lustrous coal used in jewelry making, symbolically describes the deep, gleaming black eyes of a “morenita,” a term of endearment for a woman with darker skin. This imagery conjures a potent symbol of beauty and strength amidst adversity. The comparison of her lips to “chocolate” and the repetitive correlation of sound and fury in “Retumba con sangre y tumba” (it rumbles with blood and tomb) deeply connect the song’s narrative to themes of passion, suffering, and the haunting persistence of memory.
The song “Azabache” was released in 1954, a period during which Argentina was marked by significant social and political changes. This post-World War II era was one of introspection and cultural rediscovery for many Argentinians. The lyrics, focusing on the historical and cultural milieu of the San Telmo district, a place known for its colonial buildings and cobbled streets, echo a nostalgic yearning for an authentic past that includes the often-overlooked African influences in Argentine culture. San Telmo itself, notorious for its vibrant antique markets and tango parlours, serves as a backdrop that enhances the song’s evocation of a time when African rhythms contributed significantly to the cultural tapestry of Buenos Aires.
Homero Expósito was a renowned Argentine lyricist and poet, especially famous for his contributions to the tango genre. His works are celebrated for their profound emotional depth and complex imagery.