Yasmin Levy – Tango (2014)

Yasmin Levy has always specialised in drama and passion, at times annoyingly so, but now the Israeli singer has found the style that perfectly fits her powerful, theatrical performances and regal stage persona. Best known for her work in reviving the Ladino music and language of the Jews who were expelled from Spain and dispersed across the Mediterranean in the late 15th century, she went on to explore influences from Spain to Turkey. On this set, recorded live in Tel Aviv, she is backed by a full orchestra to rework classic tangos that almost all deal with love and pain. Her impressively powerful, emotional voice dominates the orchestra on the anguished Y Todavía Te Quiero, and she moves on to songs by the Argentinian heroes Carlos Gardel and Astor Piazzolla, whose thoughtful Vuelvo Al Sur is backed by flamenco guitar and bandoneon concertina.