Featuring Horacio Romo (bandoneon), Pablo Agri on (violin) and Emiliano Messiez (piano), the members of the Romo-Agri-Messiez Tango Trio present a splendid mix of original compositions (two apiece), as well as fresh, innovative arrangements of three well-known favorites, “El Choclo,” “Por Una Cabeza” and “Fuimos.” Released by the Dutch label Aliud Records, Ahora means “Now,” and Agri’s composition has a distinctly classical leaning featuring violin, while a track like Romo’s “Abuguita” is a showpiece for bandoneon. Messiez’s “Cesar’s Tango” has all the characteristics of elegant, sensuous, rhythmic and passionate tango music.  Another track like Romo’s “A mis Pibes” has plenty of instrumental pyrotechnics as each musician grabs the spotlight in a complex arrangement.   

Ahora is a tasty treat of effervescent music in this style. The bandoneon, violin and piano work surprisingly well together, perhaps because the three instruments in the hands of these masterful musicians can so beautifully create deep melancholy feelings with sentimental tinges. The inventive approach gives the Romo-Agri-Messiez Tango Trio a fairly unique sound as compared to the more standardized tango group of two violins and two bandoneons. And this album is quite special because the trio’s originality is luminous. I hear unexpected chording and a sense of openness and audacious dissonance. One thing that might have been interesting would have been to hear a singer with a deep, velvety voice like Haydee Alba present the lyrics for one or two of the songs.  

The trio’s album closes with the three covers. Written by José Dames and Homero Manzi, “Fuimos” is given a relaxed presentation by Messiez, and “Por Una Cabeza” (by Gardel and Le Pera) allows Agri’s masterful violin techniques to really shine including some witty scratching sounds. The closing number has always been one of my tango favorites. “El Choclo” (The Owl) is a famous composition by Ángel Villoldo, and the trio’s arrangement by Julián Plaza has plenty of charm. On Ahora, this trio of consummate musicians gives us some very charismatic, expressive music full of emotion. (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)