Spaccanapoli are a group from Naples – historically a crossroads for the cultures of the whole Mediterranean region. The music is rooted in traditions that go back further and deeper than Catholic rituals to the pre- Christian rites of Dionysus. This is the expression of the working people – pulsing drums, impassioned vocals, the wild dances of the Tarantella and Tammurriata – the vibrant energy of the street carnival celebrated in the shade of the smouldering Vesuvius.
The late heavy industrialisation of this area in the 1970s has forced the people to rethink their own culture. The ancient myths and rituals, which were part of their daily life, were at risk of sublimation within modern mass-culture but have evolved afresh to express the anguish of an anonymous post-modern existence. Today it is the car workers and industrial labourers who sing the songs of protest, defiance and anger.
Spaccanapoli grew out of the original ‘Gruppo Operario’ (Workers Group) E Zezi which was formed in 1974 and provided the channel of expression over the years for more than 100 singers, instrumentalists and dancers. Some of the songs on this album are from the repertoire created within E Zezi, the group which encouraged this new, dramatically mutating folk music.
In a final ironic comment Spaccanapoli have chosen their name from an old street of Greek origin in the centre of Naples – which, in spite of being reduced to a stop-off on the tourist trail, still retains the vital, irrepressible spark of authentic folk expression.
In a world where international carels and cyper-networks reduce us to consumer drones Spaccanapoli reminds us of our human roots.
Rhythm (USA)
Filled with fierce elation
The New York Times (USA)
I have to confess that I would never have guessed this band was Italian just from listening to the music. Taking their name from a street in their home town of Naples, the band reflects the cultural crossroads that the city has been over the centuries, with a sound that takes influences from Greece, north Africa and Andalucia, with a Celtic twist for good measure. The result is a musical collage of impassioned tunes and cryptic lyrics from a group of multi-talented musicians whose feet scarcely seem to touch the floor. An act, I suspect, that would raise the roof live and are worth keeping an eye out for.
Wanderlust (UK)
Tenores di Bitti are one of the most fascinating traditional polyphonic quartets of the Mediterranean Sea - straight from the heart of Sardinia. The singers stand one in front of the other, forming a circle; their singing is a symbol of the strength, of the social cohesion, which is felt inside.
LDA v The Lunatics is one of the more glorious moments in the history of clashes between global music styles ... and the best album Los de Abajo made thus far. The Latin ska band collide with global dance act Temple of Sound in a recording studio in Mexico City with explosive results.
