There is immediate chemistry when a travelling British guitar-hero, wingman to Robert Plant and producer of Tinariwen and Rachid Taha, meets the Italian tradition of the “taranta” from Puglia, in the south-eastern tip of Italy. Ancestral vibrations, traditional songs, electricity and circular rhythms, and the roots and rock sound infused with Justin Adams’ sub-Saharan blues, combined with the rhythms and harmonies of Mauro Durante’s violin and tamburello (tambourine) carve out a magnificent space of adventurous freedom, in a carnal and hypnotic trance.
BIOGRAPHY
> JUSTIN ADAMS (United Kingdom)
A true travelling guitarist, Justin Adams grew up in the United States (Chicago), Jordan and Egypt, before returning to England to join the new-wave and punk movement. In 1990, he joined Jah Wobble’s Invaders of the Heart and then the Sensational Space Shifters with the iconic Robert Plant. As a composer and producer (Tinariwen, Rachid Taha, Lo’Jo, Ebo Taylor), connoisseur of African and Middle Eastern music, he has also collaborated with Gambian maestro Juldeh Camara, and is constantly mixing rock vibes with West African griot traditions.
> MAURO DURANTE (Italy)
Violinist, percussionist and singer Mauro Durante is the son of Daniele Durante, a collector, folklorist and founder of the ensemble Canzioniere Grecanico Salentino. Perpetuating the tradition of the “taranta” from Puglia, the musician has accompanied Ludovico Einaudi and played with Stewart Copeland, Trilok Gurtu, Richard Galliano, Zohar Fresco, Goran Bregovic, Ibrahim Maalouf, Piers Faccini, Sud Sound System, Giancarlo Parisi, the Ensemble of Terra d’Otranto and others. Today he leads the family septet dedicated to the “pizzica salentina”.
DISTRIBUTION
Justin Adams (guitare, chant), Mauro Durante (violon, tamburello, daf, chant).