A journey into the heart of Italian musical history, it celebrates Italy’s rich rhythmic
traditions, showcasing a selection of genre-traversing, Italian treasures from the ’60s
to the early ’90s.
Honouring the timeless rhythms of Italian percussion masters,
alongside a brand- new exclusive composition by Gabriele, ‘Ritmo Italiano’ shines a
light on the universal, primal language of the drum.
A connection sparked from an
early age; percussion has always deeply resonated with Gabriele.
It led to years of
studying percussion traditions across Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Brazil, crafting his own
songwriting skills in the process.
An acclaimed producer and compiler, his releases on
Yoruba Records, BBE and Soundway Records have garnered global support.
Yet a
growing need to rediscover the essence of his country’s cultural heritage laid the
foundations for this new compilation.
In Gabriele’s own words, “Italy has always been a crossroads of civilizations, with
infuences from the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe
converging over centuries.
Ports like Naples, Genoa, and Venice played a crucial role
as gateways for musical exchange, a melting pot of sounds and cultures brought by
sailors, merchants and travellers.
These infuences blended with Italy’s own folk and
religious traditions, creating Italy’s unique and emotionally resonant rhythms.”
Across the 12 absorbing tracks, there’s jazz infuences, Italian library music aesthetics
and experimental beats mixing with Afro- Cuban and Mediterranean rhythms.
It’s a
broad selection anchored by the drums.
The synth-heavy, ’80s jazz funk favours of
Gege Munari’s ‘Police Man’, sit side-by-side with the samba-infused ‘Napulitano D’ ‘O
Brasil’ by Don Marino Barreto Jr.
Tribal, earthly energy radiates from Naco’s ‘Volando
Con Milton’, with Tullio De Piscopo serving up cosmic disco brilliance, and blistering
jazz funk mastery coming courtesy of Agostino Marangolo.
Taking the name of the
compilation, a new original track by Gabriele, ‘Ritmo Italiano’, blends traditional
rhythms with contemporary energy, Afro-Latin infuences with Italian jazz essence.
Recorded live in one take, it captures a raw, unfltered vibe.
“Each track tells a story,
connecting the past with the present, and highlighting the deep-rooted traditions that
shape Italy’s rhythms.
The collection also offers a glimpse into the diversity of Italian
music with a variety of styles from the organic, earthy beats to the more experimental
and modern takes on traditional rhythms.
It’s a refection of how these rhythms have
not only shaped Italian culture but also infuenced global music.”
A captivating compilation of percussive-driven, Italian gems from the ’60s to the early
’90s, curated by multi- instrumentalist, percussionist and producer, Gabriele Poso.
Includes an exclusive new track by Gabriele.
