Origin Records artist: Ben Thomas Tango Project - The Hat with the Grin and the Chuckle - New Release Review
I just had the opportunity to review the most recent (August 22, 2025) release, The Hat with the Grin and the Chuckle , by Ben Thomas Tango Project and it's adventurous. Opening with The Promise of Morning , Ben Thomas on bandoneon leads the melody, accompanied by Eric Likkel on clarinet, Laura Schermer on bass, Laura Coronel on violin, Elizabeth Phelps on violin and Gabe Hall-Rodrigues on piano. A classically leaning tango in the style of Astor Piazzolla , this is a cool overture. Title track, The Man With The Grin and the Chuckle celebrates the memory of Seattle's French Chef, Thierry Rautureau , who's bistro served as the incubator for much of Thomas' music over several years of performing there. A serious composition featuring a solid interweave between Hall-Rodrigues and Thomas, with over harmony by Likkel. An Unapologetic Shift of Perspective is my favorite track on the release with a more percussive feel and Thomas giving more range to Hall-Rodrigues on...