CANZONIERE GRECANICO SALENTINO

Created in the midst of a pandemic, Meridiana, the new album by Italians Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, was co-produced by guitarist Justin Adams, long-time collaborator of Robert Plant, and producer of some of Tinariwen and Rachid Taha’s cult records. As well as co-producing, Justin Adams plays electric guitar on two tracks (Lu Sittaturu and Tic e Tac). The album also features special guests Enzo Avitabile (on Tic e Tac) and Red Baraat (a New York-based band featured on the track Pizzica Bhangra).

Recognised by the public and critics worldwide, the group of seven musicians led by Mauro Durante was founded in 1975 by writer and journalist Rina Durante to revive and celebrate the traditional music and dance of Salento in the Puglia region of southern Italy.

Internationally acclaimed for its distinctive vision of the traditional culture and sound of Pizzica Taranta, Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino is best known for its powerful rhythms, its performances with a groove that leads to trance, trademark vocal harmonies and a unique blend of ancient and contemporary soundscapes.

Meridiana (Italian for “sundial”) contains twelve tracks like the twelve hours of the sundial and tells the story of each band member’s relationship with time. The production and instrumentation of Meridiana, combining synth, electric bass and loops with traditional folk instruments, gives a new, modern and powerful reading of this ancient music.

Mauro Durante (violin, frame drums, vocals), Alessia Tondo (vocals), Giulio Bianco (Italian bagpipes, harmonica), Massimiliano Morabito (accordion), Emanuele Licci (vocals, guitar, bouzouki), Giancarlo Paglialunga (vocals, tamburello), Silvia Perrone (dance).