Luigi Porto
Scimmie

Released by Snowdonia - an Italian independent music label with artists of the caliber of Legendary Pink Dots and Le Forbici di Manitù in their catalog - a very interesting record by the Italian musician and composer Luigi Porto (aka Appleyard College) entitled “Scimmie” is presented. It is the soundtrack of Romano Scavolini's film “L’apocalisse delle scimmie”.

The music contained is very varied and experimental, showcasing various influences: contemporary music, psychedelia, folk singing, and rap are mixed, creating an original and fresh sound. Luigi Porto has collaborated with distinguished guests, including the soprano Carmen D’Onofrio, here engaged in a heartfelt interpretation of the Ave Maria in Russian (in the past, she has lent her voice to "dark" bands like Argine and Camerata Mediolanense), and the protest singer and ethnomusicologist Rudi Assuntino, who reinterprets a Turin folk song.

It is difficult to define this album, which nonetheless does not leave listeners indifferent. It evokes “historical” avant-garde music experiences like Il Gruppo di Improvvisazione Nuova Consonanza or contemporary music composers such as Gyorgy Ligeti and Luciano Berio. But the cinematic quality of the music in “Scimmie” is evident and constitutes the stylistic hallmark of the work: in this sense, the references to composers like Ennio Morricone and Egisto Macchi are clear.

“Scimmie” may seem a bit schizophrenic and not very cohesive at times, but in any case, while listening, one is surprised by the eclectic and innovative solutions and the originality of the ideas and insights of Luigi Porto. An album I would recommend to those intolerant of labels, to lovers of experimental music, and to listeners more open to new experiences.