Mario Fasciano
E-Thnik

See Naples and then... Attach the mandolin to a Marshall! Playing with this popular saying, one could summarize the whole album in this way.

This is a very unique journey, starting from the Gulf of Naples and reaching the British coasts; by sea, of course... That Mediterranean Sea first and then the Atlantic Ocean gradually coloring with a deep purple. Leading this raft journey is Mario Fasciano, a Neapolitan artist familiar with excellent collaborations, such as with Rick Wakeman, for example. Awaitings him on the British coasts, intent on watching the horizon, are Ian Paice, Steve Morse, and Don Airey of Deep Purple.

Indeed, the result consists of a Mediterranean sound with a Deep Purple twist. At first glance, it might seem like a useless "Americanization," like putting ketchup on pizza, for instance, but that's not the case because Fasciano, as a true Neapolitan, expertly blends these seemingly distant ingredients. Fasciano prepares the sail, feels the wind, and sets off with the relaxed "'O Nainanà," a sweet ballad that becomes suddenly and compellingly seductive towards the end, thanks to a tango tempo and an alluring bandoneon worthy of the best Piazzolla. A delicate night arrives on the still calm sea, and Fasciano relaxes with his "Notte Delle Stelle," written together with Francesco di Giacomo of Banco del Mutuo Soccorso. The dawn has arrived with its colors, and "Tarantella A Dispetto" begins, the epitome of this unusual yet interesting artistic encounter: a song that contains within it the classical canons of the Neapolitan tarantella, not only from a theoretical standpoint but also musically, as evidenced by the presence of the mandolin; Paice's historic and unmistakable drumming makes it all very intriguing, and the solos by Airey on the Hammond leave the definitive purple trail on the sea.

The color palette is enriched with a deep blue, like the color enveloping the poignant "L'Amore Quando C'è," also written in duo with di Giacomo: melancholic, like the soft and moving sound of Morse's guitar during his solo. A dream arrives thanks to "Che Sogno," a delicate composition that seems written by Pino Daniele after a New Age experience... Here, when the warmth of the Mediterranean meets the freshness of the Atlantic, creating an unstoppable current. This dream leads to "'A Notte," a dreamy piece at the beginning but then vibrantly unfolds with all its strength in an energetic and very engaging way; in which Airey and Morse ride the wave on the Hammond and guitar, respectively. "Sulo" seems to frame a maritime and very solitary scenario, as if an old abandoned lighthouse watched the raft passing in front of it, intent on continuing its journey... At least that's the feeling I get when I hear it. "Tu Sì Accussì" leaves a very ethnic and ancient trail in the sound, but at the same time very modern: a bridge between the past and present, also proving to be very seductive thanks to the sax. Fasciano begins to see the British coasts, "L'Ala Della Musica" foreshadows a very introspective landing; but here comes "'O Mare 'E l'Anema," and like a storm experienced over countless crossings, it unleashes all its energetic and varied Rock. Fasciano has arrived, he brought a bottle of limoncello to celebrate... While Airey takes off his Naples Calcio hat to greet him.

In the booklet, there's really a photo of the old Don with a Naples Calcio cap. :D