« Arrispigghiativi » is the new album by Giacomo Sferlazzo, a lampedusan songwriter that brings back with might the sicilian musical tradition too often proposed elsewhere as shallow folklore losing its conflictual value.
The sound of the constant wind of Lampedusa gives birth to this album, full of the tensions of the contemporary situation. Lampedusa searching for its mother between Africa and Europe, founding her in Sicily, synthesis and workshop of culture, military outpost of the different empires dominating the scene, mithical and magical island since ever. Sicily today is the emblem of the dis-humanized war of the XXI century, full of military bases and Muos radar.
The sound of traditional instruments as mandolino, marranzano, sciaramedda, friscalettu is mixed with electronic beats and basslines to create an hybrid between popular and electronic music.
As for the last two albums the artistic production was lead by Jacopo Andreini, running the recording sessions in houses, kitchens, music hall, theatres and cultural centers between Lampedusa, Firenze's area and Partinico. The arrangements and the use of several instruments played by him created the framework for the instrumentalist who contributed with their skills to the sessions : Antonio Putzu who continues his father's passion for the sicilian friscalettu along with modern reed instruments, Silvio Natoli expert of ancient string instruments as arciliuto, viella and 'ud. Samuele Venturin on accordion, leader of several lineups and guitarist for the late Caterina Bueno. Piero Spitilli, a bass player whose interests range from punk to jazz, italian songwriting and electro. Antonio Bordo, explosive neapolitan mondolin virtuoso. Achref Chargui from Tunis, actually one of the best 'ud soloist. Nicoletta Mecca, classically trained trumpet player now devoted to the sousaphone.
The mastering was made with the original stems at Hombrelobo studio in Rome by V Fisik, guitar player of Inferno Sci-Fi grind'n'roll and expert producer of extreme metal (but not only!)
The cover artwork was created by sicilian artist Alice Valenti, the only woman painting « carretti siciliani », after a long apprenticeship at master Domenico di Mauro's workshop in Aci Sant'Antonio. She developed her approach getting to a personal and ironical interpretation of traditional sicilian themes. She's working also with home furnishings, fashion and design: among her last projects are the Averna Magnum label and Art fridges by Smeg – D&G.
The lyrics are in line with Sferlazzo's path, even more influenced by Ignazio Buttitta's poetry and by storytellers like Ciccio Busacca. The use of the lampedusan dialect allows to hear the sound of the sea, the lament of the poor and the joy of a peaceful day after a storm.

All the lyrics by Giacomo Sferlazzo texcept: U violu by Vito Gallo and A siminzina; Tri tri tri; La me zita; Abballati  which are sicilain traditionals.
All the music by Giacomo Sferlazzo and Jacopo Andreini except: U violu by Giacomo Sferlazzo and Pasquale De Rubeis, La me zita (traditional), U Santuariu da Madonna di Portu Salvu d'Ampidusa  and Mi scurdaiu a me figghiu a scola by Giacomo Sferlazzo.
 
Recorded and mixed by Jacopo Andreini with his Afoforo Mobile Studio at: Associazione Il Melograno (FI), Maison Makutsu (Pomino), Scuola "Capitano Polizzi" di Partinico (PA) (thanks to Laura Giammona), Casa del Popolo di Settignano, and in the houses of Daniele Marchetti  (Vicopisano), Ruben Caliandro (Pontassieve), Nicoletta Mecca (Osteria Nuova), Piero Spitilli (FI), Roberta Pirini (FI), Eleonora Uccella (Cellai), Samuele Venturin  (Ristonchi),  Giacomo Sferlazzo  (Lampedusa).
Vocal tracks in RITMO RIVOLUZIONARIO recorded by DJ SEBY at ArteSuoniStudio
mastering by V Fisik @ Hombrelobo studio (Roma)
cover by Alice Valenti
drawings by Francesco Piobbichi
Retro painting by Giacomo Sferlazzo

Artist and social operator Francesco Piobbichi made a drawing for each song. Piobbichi works in Lampedusa and at the Mediterranean border with Mediterranean Hope ; he's also curating « Disegni dalla frontiera »'s blog. His drawings are available for solidarity actions against racism and wars between the poor. It's possible to buy prints of the drawings he made for Arrispigghiativi to support the Lampedusa Social Fund, managed by Lampedusa Solidarity Forum for the needs of those who lives and transit through the island, especially for medical cures as there's no hospital on the island and residents must leave at their own expenses. If you are interested get in touch with him at fpiobbichi@hotmail.com