THE TITLE OF SONiA and Disappear Fear's new CD, "Tango," suggests a South American excursion, something romantic and passionate. It's not entirely misleading, but the fine print crediting Arabic, Hebrew and Spanish translators points to the album's world-beat charms and spiritual thrust.
Although the songs on "Tango" were composed by Sonia Rutstein, they're inspired by a global array of ethnic music. Rutstein's sensuous voice has a prominent place in the mix, beginning with "Telepatia Sexual." Yet the songs that stand out are equipped with more substantial lyrics, whether the tone is political, as on "Porque Estamos Aqui," or poetic, as on "Shorashim," which features a lead vocal by Rabbi Elizabeth Bolton.
As for the album's title track, its lyrics sum up a recurring Disappear Fear theme: "A world that is not scared of itself and who it loves, a world that is ending hunger in its many forms." (Downloads from the album benefit the U.N. World Food Programme.) Rutstein, on guitar and piano, and Disappear Fear mate Laura Cerulli, on percussion and vocal harmonies, are nothing if not resourceful. With the help of guitarist-producer John Grant and a small circle of friends, they create lean yet surprisingly colorful folk-pop arrangements.
-- Mike Joyce
Appearing Monday at St. Mark Presbyterian Church, 10701 Old Georgetown Rd., Rockville (301-754-3611,http://www.imtfolk.org). Show starts at 7:30.