[Video] Ganelin, Chekasin, Tarasov – Semplice (II)

I really owe all of my passion for Eastern European/Soviet Improvisational and Experimental music to one man: Leo Feigin of Leo Records. It was through his introduction, via his catalog and a few letters back and forth, that I was introduced to such artists as Vyacheslav Ganelin (the Ganelin Trio’s leader, now based in Israel), Sergei Belichenko and Roman Stolyar, a friend to this day.

Here is the Ganelin Trio near the peak of their improvisational powers. Vladimir Tarasov and Vladimir Chekasin join in.

[Video] Le Ninfe della Tammorra – L’aria de lu mare

Naples is a city utterly steeped in music. I had the chance to visit briefly a few times, and each visit brought me to a deeper appreciation of the culture (if not all of its residents). Classical music, jazz, ethno, horribly embarrassing pop music – you can find it all there.

Leave it to my dear friend, Rosario Maffucci, who along with Ian Smith, do wonders in discovering new talent. It seems that Le Ninfe della Tammorra are from Naples, and bring tarantella into the modern age with a blend of appropriate instruments and what sounds like great engineering in this punchy tune.

I’m looking forward to seeing more talent pop up in Naples during my next visit!