Sicily

Finally some cool trip-hop down-tempo musick. Nothing like waiting until Europe was almost traversed to lay out some chill. Must be the Mediterranean. Ethnic Sicilian trip-hop nonetheless. Really more like ethnostep with a very strong African flavor. Must be getting close to Europe’s southern neighbor. I’m not too good at labels, but this is sweeeeeet!

Agricantus is a Sicilian musical group formed in Palermo, Sicily, in 1979. Palermo is the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily & the Province of Palermo. The city is over 2,700 years old. They have a long history of involvement in music & the arts.

The group was started by Tonj Acquaviva. He studied guitar in the 70s & then became interested in the ethnic music of Sicily & the Andean Cordillera. In conjunction with his new-found musical tastes, he became proficient in many folk intruments from stringed & wind to percussion: quena; tarka; sikus; guitar; mandolin; charango; bombo; frame drums; qraqeb; darbouka; cajon; & tam tam to name but a sample of the listing.

Agricantus traveled Europe for a number of years as street musicians, absorbing many styles of local music. In the mid 90s they traveled & performed in Europe, South America, the Middle East, & Asia. By the late 90s they were back in Sicily, working closely with musicians in the Taorima area. Taorima is a commune & small town in the Messina Province of eastern Sicily. In 1999 Tonj received theTaorima Arts & Sciences music award.

Agricanthus has had many members during its varied history. The main members are: Tonj Acquiaviva – lead male vocals, keyboards, drum machines, ethnic percussion, programming, & sampling; Rosie Wiederkehr – lead vocals; Lutte Berg – guitar; Mario Rivera – bass; Mario Crispi – wind instruments.  

Agricantus – Calura, Sconfini 7, 2002.

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Tracklist –

Jamila

Jusu E Susu (L' Esperienza Chill Out remix Dj Mario Rivera)

Pinseri (Bluecheese mix)

Amatevi (Buddha-Bar version)

Prèsence (Ethnosphere version)

Orbi Terrarum (DJ Rocca deep mix)

Ciavula (radio version)

Viaggi (Dj Tonj Acquaviva remix)

Spiranza

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Inchiuvatu was formed on Holy Friday 1995, in the ‘Garden of Sin’ in Sciacca, Agrigento, Sicily by Michele ‘Agghiastru’ Venezi.

According to Agghiastru: “The Garden of the Sin is the place where the human tragedy is exalted to give vent to an ephemeral art which wants to relieve human pain. The human being lives the conflict between life & the misery of life , but he can never defeat it. The Garden of the Sin is surrounded with images of spirits & demons that have nothing to do with the Christian vision of Hell, purgatory & heaven. It is the place of desolation, of doubts & vices, of anxiety & of ephemeral pleasures; but above all The Garden of the Sin is the place of the human being’s loss.”

There Agghiastru, who can be compared to Virgilio, Dante’s guide, leads the visitor by the hand through the Garden which is dominated by the enigmatic face with three legs, the so called Trinacria (an ancient symbol of Sicily), through the dark paths of the Inchiuvatu reign, searching for the tragic truth which is contained in him work.

Inchiuvatu was one of the earliest bands that sought to forge a specifically Mediterranean Black Metal. Inchiuvatu created some good quality 90s symphonic black metal with Sicilian folk influences. The lyrics are in Sicilian & the band often utilizes a friscalettu, a traditional sicilian flute, in many songs.

Agghiastru plays all instruments on his studio releases. Live, he is joined by Kaos – guitar, Nadur or Frenda – bass, Thanathos – keyboards, & Duke Daimon – on drums. On Addisiu, they are joined by Antonella, Lisetta, Lory, & Rossella for the female vocal parts.

Inchiuvatu ‎– Addisiu, Elegy Records ‎– HAWK 002, 1997. 

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Tracklist –

Veni

Inchiuvatu

Cu Sancu a l’Occhi

Ave Matri

Addisiu

Castiu di Diu

Lu Jocu di li Spiddi

Nenia

Unia

Cristu Crastu

Quiete Morente

Lu Jaddinu di lu Piaciri

Luciferu Re

Enjoy,

NØ