VA - Criminale, Vol. 4 - Violenza! (2015)

The decade from 1968 to 1978 had a pivotal importance in Italy's 20th-century history. It was a period of deep social and cultural transformation on the wings of the Berkeley youth protests and the May 1968 protests in France, which then developed in different directions due to the moral contradictions of one of the most conspiratorial countries of the western world. Years of high-tension events -- beginning with the tragic massacre of Piazza Fontana and ending with the infamous kidnapping and murder of Aldo Moro -- were reflected in every aspect of society and culture. A palpable tension could be felt both sonically and visually. The soundtrack of this whole world was written in real time by a bunch of enterprising composers, right in the middle of a session for some magical Italian soundtrack or even an appearance alongside the RAI Orchestra (owned by Italy's national broadcasting company), who made little money while recording some instant albums for the most sought-after publishers of libraries. Sonic pictures of the heyday of Italian society, truly distinct from the music made by French, English, or German composers in their respective countries. The sound coming from the Italian television was as sharp as a razor blade and tasted just like lead and tear gas, with howling fuzz guitar and heavy drums to set the tumultuous scene of a society on the verge of implosion. Daniela Casa, Remigio Ducros, Alessandro Alessandroni, Stelvio Cipriani, Enzo Scoppa, Amedeo Tommasi, Franco Tamponi, and the other composers acted as drastic audio reporters as well as incredible musicians. They were able to describe in just few minutes the climax that surrounded them, using their classical heritage and training with hints of the avant-garde, along with the boost of psych-rock, jazz, funk, and whatever other popular musical innovation came their way. Urged to be minimalistic and not so original -- the quintessence of the library dictum -- the Italian composers answered instead with an experimental vocation pushed by that same need for renewal, stimulating the entire nation in those crazy and marvelous years. Released alongside Criminale Vol. 3 - Colpo Gobbo (PNY 4510LP). Includes tracks by Daniela Casa, Remigio Ducros, Piero Montanari, Paolo Ferrara, Massimo di Cicco, Stelvio Cipriani, Franco Tamponi, Stefano Torossi, Sandro Brugnolini, Massimo Catalano, Gerardo Iacoucci, Stelio Subell, Joel V.D.B., Nino Rapicavoli, Enzo Scoppa, and Alessandro Alessandroni.