The incredibly rich music of Brazil and Colombia has been extensively surveyed and made available worldwide — but much less so the sound of Argentina. Apart from Soundway’s recent ‘Sintesis Moderna’ compilation, which collected Argentinian electronic dance and post-punk, it’s proven difficult to discover the South American country’s musical output. Step forward BBE, with the astonishing ‘Danza Secreta’. Over a generous 22 tracks, Buenos Aires DJs and compilers Ric Piccolo and Ariel Harari showcase the musical underground there during a time when Argentina was controlled by the dictatorship of General Jorge Rafael Videla, and ‘subversive’ music was monitored by the authorities. The tracks were produced and self-released on small record labels, but brim with energy and passion. While there’s no unifying genre as such, powerful grooves are threaded throughout. Genius’s ‘Bermilyia Avenue’ uses a sample of a news report about Cambodia over squirming synths, deep bass, wah-wah guitar and a steady beat, while Palanca al Piso’s ‘Guanaba’ is heavy Latin funk replete with searing horns and tight drums. Ric Piccolo’s rework of Orquesta Disco Latino’s ‘Disco Tango’, meanwhile, manages the feat of adding Argentinian accordion to a relentless 4/4 mirrorball anthem. There’s a rawness and irresistible funk throughout the whole thing, making ‘Danza Secreta’ a real treat.
