From experimental and avant-garde music to radical electronic music, new wave, library music and avant-jazz, this showcase highlights the rich underground music culture of Italy, one of Europe's leading powers of experimental music.

The Rough Guide To Italian Avant-Garde Underground

Andrea Belfi - Lead

Continente Nero

Ultimo Stregone

Walter Maioli - The Sirens - Pedra Mendalza Soundtrack (2007)

- taken from "Superimpositions" (BKEDIT010)

B3. PointillisticT

Gigi Masin ‎– Tears Of Clown

Chinese Restaurant

C.Rock

Cantare la voce

Flautofonie ed altro

Sfogatevi bestie

Entreneuse

Roberto Musci - Claudia, Wilhem R. And Me (02:57)

Agua Re - Holy Dance (Large Sound mix) (1992)

Music Is Painting In the Air (1974 - 1977)

Dark Side of Religion

Wild Songs

Wonder

The year 2007 saw one of the most remarkable findings in the long treasure-hunting history of Die Schachtel: the complete set of recordings of the early manifestation (1967-1969) of one of the most legendary improv group of all times, the Gruppo di Improvvisazione Nuova Consonanza. Rescued by the private archives of Mr. Walter Branchi, one of the original founding members – alongside with Franco Evangelisti, Ennio Morricone, Ivan Vandor, Roland Kayn, Egisto Macchi, Mario Bertoncini and John Heineman – the tapes were then restored in their entirety, but only a part of them were published in an epic 500 copies -CD-only boxset titled "Azioni 1967-1969", which also featured a DVD with the original film "Nuova Consonanza" shot by Theo Gallher during the rehearsal and the concert that the group held on March 19th and 20th, 1967, at the Galleria d'arte Moderna in Rome. Spanning from free-jazz to total abstract noise to wild electronic sounds (thanks mainly to the wizardry of Roland Kayn and Walter Branchi), their music was – and remains – one of the most dynamic, original and uncompromising expression of a period defined by intense experimentation and musical bravery, that anticipated a lot of the experiments to come in later years. Or, to put it simple, "They were utterly unique", as per the words that John Zorn – a long time admirer of the Gruppo – expressely wrote for this edition.

To mark the 10-years anniversary of its original release, and to finally make it available for the vinyl aficionados throughout the world, Die Schachtel is proud to present AZIONI/REAZIONI 1967-1969, the complete cycle of improvisations (which in fact means thirteen additional inedit pieces, spanning over 2 and a half LPs and two CDs ), taken from the original tapes, lovingly remastered by Mr. Giuseppe Ielasi and masterly cut to five black vinyls, with a new design and an even more complete information apparatus, that includes a 64 page LP-size book in English and Italian, complete with essays, memories from the members of the Group, a new article by Valentina Bertolani exploring in detail the techniques of the group (based on the enclosed DVD), a chronology and a collection of original reviews by Maurizio Farina, and – to add an additional cherry on the almost rather juicy cake - a set of stunning (and inedit) black and white photos of the group playing in the glorious Venice "Teatro della Fenice" in 1968, taken from the archives of the Venice Biennale.

Gruppo di Improvvisazione Nuova Consonanza "Kate"

Fear On The Corner

Show Me

To Alter and Affect

This Eternal Vanishing

Prati Bagnati Del Monte Analogo

Hula Om

Waves

Waves (Mark Barrott Sketches From And Island Healing Hands)

"it's a whole world of it's own, and it's out of this world!" 
Richard Norris (Time & The Space Machine / Beyond's the wizard Sleeve)

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The Confusional Quartet are Enrico Serotti, Gianni Cuoghi, Lucio Ardito and Marco Bertoni, a four piece experimental band with new wave, avant-garde and post rock influences who have been recording since the late 70s. Having first released their debut album more than three decades ago, they now return with a new, eponymously entitled full length on Hell Yeah recordings, due for release in October 2012 and accompanied by fabolous artwork by Andrea Amaducci.

One of the most recognized Italian bands in the so-called new wave era, the energetic group were never afraid of pioneering new sounds and performing energetic shows, and this new album (one of two they are working on, as well as a new live show) suggests they have lost none of their edge having reformed just last year. 

Across the course of the 11 tracks, the band explores the fusion between synthetic sounds and real drums; fizzing guitar lines and plenty of feedback. It’s funky, raw and looks to many different eras and genres all at the same time. The opener ‘FuturFunk’ (co-written and co-produced with Sir Bob Rifo of The Bloody Beetroots) is just that, dazzling and arresting as it goes. 

Elsewhere, high energy, dense and gauzy songs like ‘Kursaal’ rage and writhe as drums cut in and out and guitars get worked to the max.  Pilling layer upon layer of sound, each track is stuffed with contrasting surfaces before being stripped to just a jazzy drenched bassline or funked up lead. 

‘Verme’ marks one of few comparatively sober moments in an otherwise spine tingling, nerve jangling journey through intergalactic sonics and grubby rock ethics.  ‘Sensosan’ is also more stripped back, focusing on quick licked rhythms and computerised melodies, whilst the rest of the album is a mad parade of frantic, zany, futuristic instrumental workouts.  Three decades after starting out, Confusional Quartet are still the most expressive postmodern experimentalists out there not afraid to push the boundaries. 

The Rough Guide To Italian Avant-Garde Underground

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