Mietta
Daniela E' Felice

Daniela Miglietta, known as Mietta, has been recording albums for 23 years, yet on DeBaser, she doesn't exist. 11 albums, a few million records sold, but she's not there. Surely Daniela did something wrong in her career not to be remembered by the richest review database in the universe. Indeed, it has never been easy to chase after the stylistic flourishes, the changing personas, album after album, in search of that sound that could suit the unmistakable vocal qualities of the artist from Taranto.

From the melodic sounds of the early '90s ("canzoni", "volano le pagine", "lasciamoci respirare") to more direct pop ("cambia pelle") and then continuing with the funky-soul of "Dentro l'anima" and the Synth-pop of "per esempio per amore". A continuous up and down that put the most loyal fans to the test. Let's consider, for instance, this "Oggi Dani è più felice" from 1995. Surely Mietta's most ambitious and noble work. A fairly successful attempt to adapt Mietta's vocal taste to the trends of the moment.

In 1995 the music world was shaken and fascinated by the Bristol scene and also by the Icelandic sprite. Mietta was too, and perhaps even more so, Michele Centonze who wrote and produced a handful of dark and deliberately introspective tracks for her. Despite the single "tu sei te", which is decidedly pop-funky, the album is remembered for its slower episodes like "I believe in love", an almost alternative version of Portishead's "Roads", and the title track that is reminiscent of Björk. There is also a cover of "the 2 of us" by Bill Withers, which, however, pales in comparison to the engaging "parlami dentro" placed at the end.

The most experimental, damnably contingent, album of Mietta still pleases me today. Obviously, no one paid attention to it. Obviously, it is out of catalog. No matter, Mietta is here now. Even on DeBaser.