Taberna Mylænsis L'Anima Du Munnu CD# LDL 11124 Label:  Compagnia Nuove Indye (CNI) 1999 http://www.cnimusic.it/

Track list  1.  Terra Bruciata  2.  L'Anima Du Munnu  3. (a) Unu Avanti E Centu Arreti     (b) U Suli  4.  Lampabbò...Lampà  5.  Scurri Adagiu  6.  Binidittu Sia (Cu Fici U Munnu)  7.  Cantu L'Amuri  8.  Tirrimotu  9.  Allah Muntagna 10.  Cu Jé

Luciano Maio: guitar, mandola, mandoline,voice Tonino Lazzaro:accordion, voice Nando la Rosa: nacchere, marranzano,voice Giuseppe Greco: classical guitar, bass, mandola, voice Massimo Laguardia: tamborine, djembè, darbuka, udu, percussion voice Giancarlo Parisi: zampogna a paro, clarinet, flute, friscaletti, ottavino

Music: Luciano Maio and Tonino Lazzaro  Text: Luciano Maio  Arrangements: Luciano Maio and Tonino Lazzaro "I'm searching for the soul of the world,  I'm searching inside a bottomless pit.  I'm searching in water of fountains,  on a peaceful island far away."  --translated from the song L'Anima Du Munnu (or Soul of the World) Sicilian music can either be very beautiful and refined as in the case of the Armos Project's c.d. Canti E Danze/Traditional Music of Sicily (incidentally one of my all time favorite c.d's) or it can be emotional and rough as the singing of the great Rosa Balastreri. L'Anima du Munnu by the group Taberna Mylænsis lies somewhere in between. Not only is the group made up of very excellent vocalists; but they are also highly skilled musicians. The group originated in the 1970's in their hometown of Milazzo during a resurgence of interest in the traditional music of Sicily after the political movements of the late 1960's. They became one of the most popular interpreters of this music. They sing in their own dialect and play mostly traditional instruments. Then again, Sicily is an island almost in the middle of the Mediterranean; so they of course, have been highly influenced by other nearby areas. One can hear strains of Balkan rhythms, middle eastern tunings, north and west African percussion, a taste of flamenco, etc.; but they are first and foremost very Sicilian. L'Anima du Munnu is a collection of mystical songs that flow one into the other to create a mood somewhere between introspection and joyous wonder.  Luciano Maio is the group's lead singer and his captivating voice draws you into his reflection on the mysterious ways of the world. From the first strains of Terra Bruciata's guitar and accordion and Luciano's voice, we know that we are on a journey that will enrich our sense of the world's magic, the world's tragedies and great joys. Even if we don't speak the language, the beauty and power of the music comes through. We are held enthrall all the way to the very last song on the c.d.--Cu Jé (Who is it?). (I first heard Cu Jé on a sampler c.d. from the record label Compagnia Nuove Indye and knew that I had to hear more from this group). Who is it,  Who lets it rain from heaven,  and wets the earth  and makes flowers blossom.  Who is it? With this c.d., I see us with ribbons and flowers in our hair, streamers and tamborines in our hands, as we thread our way through the village, hands clasped in a joyful dance leaving our sorrows and hope filled wishes at the feet of the saints. Some other of my favorite Italian/Sicilian c.d's are: Taberna Mylænsis-Allah Muntagna (Pan Records--available through Arhoolie  Records http://www.arhoolie.com) Canti E Danze/Traditional Music of Sicily-The Armós Project (Associazione  Culturale Armos: http://www.armos.it )  Tretarante-Arakne Mediterranea (CNI)  Anything by La Ciapa Rusa: (Felmay Records: http://www.felmay.it )  Mazapegul-Piccolo Canto Nomade (CNI)