Deeply mysterious sub-aquatic Italian library holy grail from Alessandro Alessandroni, Amedeo Tommasi and Franco Tamponi.
The Italian library ‘Nature Series’ from 1973 has achieved cult status within experimental music and hardcore record collector circles.Allegedly made in an edition of 50 copies only (and never commercially available), it allowed a group of pioneering Italian composers to experiment with new techniques whilst focusing to a specific natural theme.Each were released on ‘fake’ labels with a generic design and are close to impossible to find now.
All the scarcity, collector, gatekeepery stuff aside, the compositions here are undeniably incredible.Ichthyology is the study of fish and the pieces reflect the profound mystery of the deep sea.It’s some of the earliest examples of purely atmospheric music , or ‘ambient’.Alessandroni’s compositions are nervous and locked in suspense (the threat at the bottom of the sea), balancing quivering electronics against suspenseful guitar dervishes, whereas Tommasi drifts romantically with glistening electronics and schmoozing lounge chords.Franco Tamponi’s three contributions evoke a sense of calm with lightly shimmering Rhodes keys and weightless drifting flute.It’s all frighteningly ahead of it’s time and still a vitally important intersection between ambient, avant-garde and classical music which would be better known if it weren’t for it’s original uncommercial approach. Monster!! (NM/VG++ - plays clean, sleeve has some markings, see pic).
Tracklist A1 Amedeo Tommasi– Algue Romantique 2:57 A2 Amedeo Tommasi– Algue Romantique 2 2:57 A3 Alessandro Alessandroni– Menace Au Fond De La Mer 3:11 A4 Alessandro Alessandroni– Menace Au Fond De La Mer 2 3:11 A5 Atmo (2)– Subacquatic 2:01 A6 Atmo (2)– Subacquatic 2 2:01 B1 Atmo (2)– Sub Uno 2:45 B2 Alessandro Alessandroni– Ichtyologie 2:57 B3 Franco Tamponi– Acquamarina 2:28 B4 Franco Tamponi– Sous Marine 2:43 B5 Atmo (2)– Abyssale 2:39 B6 Franco Tamponi– Eau Profonde 2:44
