Hi, and welcome to the next Interactive Poll. For this edition I have decided to focus on Mediterranean music. By Mediterranean we understand the countries around the Mediterranean sea, that is, southern Europe, northern Africa and the Levant.

The concept is the same as that of the previous Latin American, African and Asian polls: The music should be either: from the Mediterranean region or inspired by Mediterranean music in one way or another.

Now obviously, as with everywhere else, many different types of music are being made in the Mediterranean region, and for this poll there are no genre restrictions. However, if you choose prog, please don't pick too well known music. Also, please don't pick too long tracks (I'd say up to circa 10 minutes is fine).

You should have your nomination ready on Sunday the 22nd at latest. Until then, you are free to suggest up to three songs or musical pieces, but no more. Once all nominations are in, you can vote for three entries others than your own, so this is business as usual.

I wish you all the best of luck :)

Smooth vibes from Mallorca

It is music from Mediterranean countries, or music with Mediterranean influence in one way or another. Like I said, there are no genre restrictions

I still don't know what a "Mediterranean influence" is. 

ok, thank you, I'll see what I can do. 

Oh Oh, The Anders, you invite me to my land!

From Tunisia:

How mediterraenean are the Balkans actually?

Anyway, here's some Goran Bregovic.

Ederlezi...

...and as an encore the theme of Black Cat White Cat.

Mila: Yeah... Bregovic is Bosnian-Herzegovian as far as I know, and I now found a stretch of Mediterranean coast of that country, so he should qualify if we go for this criterion. Just about, on some maps it looks as if they don't touch the sea, but then Bregovic is on record for declaring himself nostalgic Yugoslavian, and then there's no doubt. Note that the term Balkan Peninsula in itself is contested these days, and "Mediterranean" not perfectly well defined either when referring to people living on land rather than the sea, but anyway, none of this is probably of any importance here as it is always the music that speaks to us.

I LOVE EDERLEZI

Months ago, perhaps a year ago, a nomination of mine was:

(In the end I chose another song)

Hmm, looking at the weather forecast I might take a dive into the Mediterranean one of these coming days...

For my selection I'm staying close to home: France. However, the music might make you travel a bit further.

First a duo that came out of the - here - very popular group Louise Attack: Tarmac - Notre époque:

(original and translated lyrics https://flowlez.com/en/songs/notre-epoque-1538756/" rel="nofollow - here )

Next, maybe more typical "French", maybe not. A group that goes by the name "Debout sur le zinc" (Standing on the Bar): Debout sur le zinc - Les moutons (The Sheep):

(original and translated lyrics https://flowlez.com/en/songs/les-moutons-402592/" rel="nofollow - here )

And then a band that I've been suggesting before: Orange Blossom - Yazaman (A Long Time Ago):

(original and translated lyrics https://flowlez.com/en/songs/yazaman-1192838/" rel="nofollow - here )

@Kees:

The Tarmac video doesn't work for me, this one does. But I'm not sure whether it's the thing you mean because it doesn't mention Louise Attack.

^ Yes, it is the same track, thanks!

Tarmac is the group name of the duo Arnaud Samuel and Gaëtan Roussel who were before in the group Louise Attack (that disbanded), so it is no surprise that Louise Attack is not mentioned...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY_bi_2yikU" rel="nofollow - Dhafer Youssef: 39th Gülay (to Istanbul)  (Album: Birds Requiem, 2013)

Some of you may know this excellent and versatile jazz musician but there is always someone you can surprise. Enjoy!

p.s. Anders, I will add this to my first post on page 1 to make things easier for you.

My first suggestion is Iness Mezel - Amazone.

Iness Mezel is a French-Algerian musician. In this rather hypnotic track she mixes north African instrumentation with rock guitar. It makes for quite an interesting musical experience.

second song i thought of

On the island of Rhodes, Anthony Quinn bought a beach, which he discovered while acting in the film, and today it still exists, named with his name, even if it is no longer managed by family members: I have been there, small but beautiful.

https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.ZI64fP_WhccqFId-KfKyVwHaE7&pid=Api&P=0&w=267&h=178" rel="nofollow - https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.ZI64fP_WhccqFId-KfKyVwHaE7&pid=Api&P=0&w=267&h=178

Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, built during the fascist domination, clearly visible in the film The Guns of Navarone.

p.s. Anders, this too will be added to my first post on page 1.

Ah, the topic gives me the opportunity for the first time to play something from Patrizio Fariselli's (keyboarder of Area) delightful album 100 Ghosts. Should be on PA but isn't. Here is "Iqbal".

My take on the suggestions put up so far...:

Greg (Logan): Nice soothing Greekish track by Stringtronics. The Mediterranian touch is especially brought in through the guitar (and some spare castanets...). This is a kind of "Sunset at the Beach" music. Too short, though.

Samuel (Meltdowner): Didn't know Joan Bibiloni. Another soothing track, but more jazzy. Here I imagine myself in a hammock between two palm trees on a Catalan beach, sipping a cocktail (although I'm not fan of cocktails...). This is a nice synth dominated atmospheric track.

Lorenzo (jamesbaldwin): Officina Zoè, Baba Sissoko, Mamani Keita and Sourakhata Dioubate bring us with Santu Paulu a more African tinged track. Starting off with a gentle percussion this becomes more and more energetic and when the violin and bandoneon set in we're definitely on Mediterranean shores. It creates a kind of African guinguette festive atmosphere (someone said "fusion"?). Yes we dance! With Napoli Centrale we are in proggy territories, mixing jazz rock, rock, and some folk elements. Didn't know them (I think), but I like what I hear. You've been presenting us Dissòi Logòi before and I already liked it then. This one is piano dominated, with some Fripp-like guitar playing. Very jazzy at the beginning, before a more contemporary music style takes over, then mixing both into something really wonderful. Very original; this definitely is my preferred one.

Mila: Monsieur Doumani proposes us an interesting instrumentation with the electric saz and the trombone. To my ears this is a very contemporary kind of psych-folk-rock with a distinct Eastern Mediterranean flavor. Very nice. Dhafer Youssef is indeed more well known, but always good to hear, mixing traditional instruments (oud, qanun, clarinette...) in contemporary jazz rock. Great track! Never heard of Derby Motoreta’s Burrito Kachimba, but this immediately captivates me: a wonderful voice and singing style mixed here with some trance inducing (hard) rock/metal. A very good surprise, this one!

Christian (Lewian): Oh, you copy-cat... Ederlezi has been suggested not that long ago. I love it (and the film). And I generally like the music of Goran Bregovic, thus also Black Cat White Cat (and the film!). His Balkan rock is very captivating. I Didn't know of Patrizio Fariselli's solo outing, a jazzy, folky, Eastern mix with a very contemporary (rock) feel to it. Wonderful vocalizations. I really like this one!

suitkees: You do know that France is not the center of the world, do you?

Pekka (Hiram): Ah, ah, a Black Sabbath classic reworked by Zu and Eugene Chadbourne, adding a bit more madness to it. But it remains a classic! Interesting!

Anders: Oh yes, I like this. I remember having heard a track by Iness Mezel on the radio, but I should have paid more attention. I really dig this mix of rock and african rhythms and love her singing style. Great one!

Cristi: New Trolls with a real adagio, but in a symphonic prog sauce. Nice, but to my liking maybe a bit too timid in mixing rock and classical, this one. With Enrico Simonetti we are in soundtrack territory - a very beautiful track this one, mixing classic with rock and a touch of jazz. I prefer this one over the Trolls.

Greg (The Dark Elf): Thank you for this historical take on this indeed very famous track, Miserlou, here by Dick Dale & The Del Tones. Great all time classic! Easy to imagine this originated, for him, on an oud, maybe less obvious that it became a classic rock&roll tune...

Thank you Kees for the comment :)

Here's a second suggestion from me, and it will probably be between the two. Nadah el Shazly is an Egyptian musician which I discovered a couple of years ago. The song is called "Mahmiya".

This version or another one as already pointed out by Lorenzo? It seems I'm getting old.

The guy who made the video for the Black Cat White Cat theme made an error. The composer of that soundtrack is not Bregovich as many wrongly assume. It is offically composed by the Black Cat White Cat Orchestra. But in fact it is a pseudonym for the No Smoking Orchestra that was then searching for a new name since the separation with the old members was still fresh. The original No Smoking band was founded in Sarajevo in the early 1980s. They did garage/punk rock, sometimes with reference to Bosnian folk music. That's why this soundtrack is more rocking than those by Bregovich, even though he too is originally a rock musician. Kusturica has toured a lot with the No Smoking Orchestra. He always started their concerts with the famous Bogart quote from Casablanca: "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship". 

What a sad day! The legendary Greek composer Vangelis has passed away today due to covid. RIP grand master.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRF2N4J-pa5TbY4qKNRrsr_NXoG-rz1Cg" rel="nofollow - PLAYLIST

These are the suggested songs so far. 20 songs - 10 participants. In case you want to listen to the songs now or later and maybe even comment on them. The songs of the individual participants follow one after the other in groups.- Btw. I picked a different song from my Cypriot band.

Oh yeah, wonderful work!

Lorenzo

Officina Zoè, Baba Sissoko, Mamani Keita, Sourakhata Dioubate: Being familiar with both, the Apulian/Salentine Pizzica Taranta and the music of Africa, here specifically the music of Malian griots, I was very excited about this collaboration. Voices and percussions play an essential role in both music cultures. So at second glance it is actually not surprising that two geographically so distant cultures are closer at heart than one would expect.

Napoli Centrale: An interesting blend of 1970s jazz-rock and Neapolitan popular music including lyrics sung in Neapolitan dialect.

Dissòi Lògoi: This piece is difficult to assign to a specific genre. It is a blend of jazz, prog, experimental and minimalist classical music. Despite the title "Delfini", I can't necessarily recognise elements of Mediterranean music culture, but imo that plays a subordinate role here because the album title "Different Traditions" definitely lives up to its promise. The mixing of different musical traditions reveals in fact Dissoi Logoi's stylistic signature. Moreover, Paolo Fresu is also on board for this project. I am particularly pleased to get to know his joy in experimenting.

All three are interesting and original suggestions. They are different musical cocktails, so it is hard to say which one I like better. But I lean towards contemporary music. So, for me it's the third.

Kees

Tarmac: I’m familiar with the folk-rock band Louise Attaque but not with this duo. It is remarkable what is musically possible with such a reduced acoustic instrumentation. This comes together with beautiful vocals and poetic and socially committed lyrics.

Debout sur le zink: Here too some folk-rock but with varied musical influences such as French traditional music, gypsy jazz, klezmer and maybe more combined with critical texts. It is a band with many members and a rich acoustic instrumentation.

Orange Blossom: Here we have a world music group that skillfully combines Arabic sounds with western electronic beats. I attended one of their concerts some years ago.

Basically, I tend to listen to more contemporary music which speaks in favour of Orange Blossom. But I also like the simplicity of Tarmac which has its very own charm, including certain characteristics of the timeless French chanson.

Thank you too for your kind feedback! I'm not quite sure what I'm going to nominate. In any case I'm interested in contributing to musical diversity. I'll wait and see what the others choose. It would be great if we could nominate two songs each because there are only ten of us. Then again some people have only made one suggestion so far.

Anders

Iness Mezel: There are numerous French and Belgian musicians with roots in the Maghreb region and the Middle East who bring together the musical styles of both cultures. But Iness Mazel clearly stands out here. In this recording you can hear besides the sounds of Algerian Berber music influences of western blues and rock which is rare and rather unusual for a female artist. - I learned from an article that this album was produced by Justin Adams who added to the African blues and rock influences with his guitar and other string instruments. Adams has collaborated with various big names such as Robert Plant and Brian Eno among others and has worked as a producer for the desert blues group Tinariwen and other musicians from African and Arabic traditions.

Nadah El Shazly: I would classify the work of this Egyptian artist as electronic avant-garde. Here too, we have a fusion with traditional oriental sounds and traditional acoustic instruments, but it is a very contemporary, rather experimental approach. I personally am very interested in contemporary and experimental music. However, this one requires repeated listening.

Iness Mezel’s music is more accessible but no less interesting. Her music is emotional and a pleasure to listen to while Nadah El Shazly is more on the intellectual, experimental side. Even though I’m familiar with Iness' work I would suggest in the context of this poll to go with her.

Christian

Patrizio Fariselli: Here we have folk music of various origins i.a. oriental, and electronica with jazz and rock influences. A very complex and interesting composition. Obviously Fariselli is a big name and is esp. appreciated by prog music connoisseurs.

Although I do recognise the artistic abilities of Fariselli, I must say that for me there are a little too many different musical styles involved in this composition. Somehow, it doesn't really convince me.

Kusturica’s work is widely known among independent cinema lovers but mainly in Europe, I guess. So I think that it would be a shame to withhold this amazing film music from those who do not know it. I would possibly give priority to the music from Black Cat, White Cat, because it is a bit more rocky and does not come from better known Bregovich but from the less known No Smoking Orchestra, which emerged from the 1980s Yugoslav/Bosnian garage/punk/folk band of the same name. That would bring some colour into the line-up, me thinks.

I nominate Enrico Simonetti - Oceano. 

I had a listen to the playlist but didn't have the time to really concentrate on all of it, so I don't have much to say. Under these circumstances Dhafer Youssef and Tarmac made most of an impression, meaning that I like these, but it doesn't mean I don't like the others.

I'll nominate Patrizio Fariselli - Iqbal, as I'm somewhat embarrassed by not having had on the radar that Ederlezi had already been nominated, and I have difficulties nailing down who exactly did Black Cat White Cat (OK that wouldn't be a problem with nominating it but anyway, a decision must be made).

Thanks to those commenting! It doesn't make the choice for nomination easier...

I've already nominated Orange Blossom before and I might reserve Debout sur le zinc for another time, because initially I thought to nominate Tarmac. And, for now, Tarmac suits Kees.

I know I cannot count on Lorenzo's vote so, especially for him, here's https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCxOnd71VQs&list=OLAK5uy_kDD7TlV2X-d0RPMfcscRhHN5dPqhQzUVI&index=1" rel="nofollow - the whole Tarmac album !

So, Tarmac is my nomination.

Stringtronics - Mediterranee. It has a relaxed, kind of jazzy feel to it. I love the interplay between the bass and the electric piano. Some quite melancholic strings are added, as well as a discreet guitar in the left channel. I only wish it could have gone on for a few more minutes, but very enjoyable track.

Joan Biblioni - Sa Fosca. This one is filled with synths, but there is also an understated guitar, as well as a repeated acoustic guitar figure in 5. There is kind of an "underwater" feel to it. Around halfway, some very 80's sounding drums enter the soundscape. There is even some gated percussion. Quite jazzy overall.

Officina Zoe & Tarranta Nera - Santu Paulu. Combining an African music culture with a European folk music tradition is rather tongue-in-cheek (how often do I see a violin and an accordion on the same stage as African drums), but it works very well nevertheless. Also interesting to watch the drum solo at the beginning. He is obviously adjusting the pitch of the drum with his elbow. Harmonically, the song features the Lydian mode which I don't hear very often. I love the rhythmic "lightness", f.e. the fact that it doesn't emphasize the downbeat. Only thing is, after the vocals have set in, I miss a break or two at some point (f.e. with percussion only). Apart from that, very enjoyable track.

Monsieur Doumani - Alavrostishiotis. I wonder if they were inspired by the film Pink Floyd Live at Pompeii. I knew the band, but I hadn't heard this song before. It's quite minimalist, building a tension very slowly. I also love the wonderfully restrained vocals. Strong contender.

Dhafer Youssee - 39th Gülay (To Istanbul). This one mixes instruments like the oud and the cimbaom with jazz, featuring a complex rhythmic structure.

Derby Motoreta's Burrita Kachimba - Nana Del Caballo Grande. We're moving towards the area of metal here. It blends well with the Arbic melody and singing. Taste-wise I personally prefer the Monsieur Doumani track.

I know Goran Bregovic, but I am not overly familiar with him. Ederlezi has a slow oompah rhytm with mostly brass instruments. It gradually grows in tension with the addition of vocal harmonies and at last a choir. The singing adds a lot of edge to the track. Black Cat White Cat turns into a sort of dance track, but still with with lots of Balkan brass and, dare I say, a certain tango feel to it (the violin).

Tarmac - Notre epoque. Very laid back track with acoustic guitar and electric piano as the most prominent instruments, as well as some real life sounds. Enjoyable track. Debout sur le Zinc - Les Moutons. Like the Black Cat White Cat this one has a Romani feel to it, but there is a quirkiness to the music which (call me crazy if you want) reminds me of Blur! I like this one better that the Tarmac one. Orange Blossom - Yazaman is more to the oriental side with a Middle Eastern singing style and the use of an Arabic scale. It turns into a sort of folktronica thing.

Jamesbaldwin (part 2)

Napoli centrale - Campagna: Classic jazz/rock fusion from the 1970's with the prominence of Fender Rhodes (or is it a Wurlitzer?) and drums. Enjoyable track with some not too predictably chord changes along the way. My favourite part is probably the more dissonant section from around 6:00.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfeFYHxY7D0" rel="nofollow - Chano Dominguez Trio: Afro Flamenco (Album: Chabem, 2022)

My nomination is:

Have fun! 

1) Patrizio Fariselli - Iqbal (Lewian) 

2) Zu & Eugene Chadbourne - Iron Man (Hiram)

3) Enrico Simonetti - Oceano (Cristi) wonderful music for film, elegant, with winds and strings

------

Honorable mentions:

(Well, in this poll Kees, The Anders and Mila have nominated a song different from my favourite of them...)

4) Dick Dale & the Del Tones - Misirlou (The Dark Elf) VIVA PULP FICTION!

5) Joan Biblioni - Sa Fosca (Meltdowner)

6) Iness Mezel - Amazone (Anders)

I'm happy (but not really surprised ) that you like it. Area are highly regarded on PA of course, but I only heard of Fariselli's solo work more or less accidentally on Italian TV. Apparently there's quite a bit of stuff (solo or collaborations with others), some of it very good (still much that I don't yet know, so I can't tell how much is actually good, but I love what I know), and I've never seen this mentioned on PA.

By the way, is there any Italian TV music show you'd recommend?

Great listen overall, thanks to all!

In the end, my three preferred ones are:

- Dissòi Logòi - Delfini ; I love this mix of contemporary music and jazz, right up my ally.

- Patrizio Fariselli - Iqbal ; great diversity, sonically intriguing, freshness and accessibility.

- Iness Mezel - Amazone ; on the rocky side of the Mediterranean.

With a special mention of Enrico Simonetti: a very pleasant listen!

Excellent tastes!

And you make well! 

This Neapolitan piece is terrible!

I don't know if there are TV music shows at the moment.

Mila-13 wrote: @Kees, I think you forgot to vote in the table above.

Oh, you're absolutely right. See how much I care about the voting part of these polls...?

But it's done now, thanks!

Mila-13 wrote: I was vaguely considering this one for the 'Change of Seasons' poll. The video is so Italian, or should I say Neapolitan!? But knowing that pop music is not exactly what you guys are after, I picked something else instead. lol <snip video>

How glad we are that you get to know us a bit by now!

Sometimes when listening to these polls, I get into moshkito mode and think, these are all works of art and creativity, they all convey something (more or less) profound and are done with love and passion, so they really shouldn't be ranked, everything should be taken, respected, and appreciated as what it is.

But anyway, sometimes it's the rating aspect that makes me listen to things more than once and with more concentration to just play the game, because that's what it is... anyway...

This poll's winners for me are:

Iness Mezel, Tarmac, and Dissoi Logoi, but really there is not much between any two of these - I love the abundant playfulness of the Iron Man even though that sound isn't normally my cup of tea, the Afro Flamenco is an engaging and rewarding piece that requires several listens, the Stringtronics take me right into a nice shady place with a sea view in the Mediterranean summer and and and...

2) Enrico Simonetti - Oceano for beauty.

3) Chano Dominguez Trio - Afro Flamenco for interesting combination of flamenco and jazz piano

Zu & Eugene Chadbourne - Iron Man. Well, this is... different, and I enjoy this version a lot more than the original Black Sabbath; it is certainly not without humour. I especially love the many off-key notes, the hints at free jazz, not to mention the totally random citation of Stevie Wonder's "Master Blaster (Jammin')" towards the end. The singer's voice reminds me a lot of Peter Gabriel btw. They play the chorus almost as if it were "21st Century Schizoid Man" (maybe to underline the similarity between the two songs). Only minus is, perhaps it's a bit long for that type of song. But still a strong contender. Their concerts must be amazing.

Dissòi Logòi - Delfini. Starts with a sort of Bach-like "prelude" on the piano before the other instruments come in. On the left a violin, and a guitar on the right. Interesting composition with a jazzy touch. From around 3:00 it turns into a sort of meditative noodling with a few pling-plong sounds. It then fades out, and we get a band section again towards the end. I like this a lot, and it is another strong contender. I'm pretty sure I have heard the band before btw., but not this track.

New Trolls - Adagio. I have been listening to this album before, but it's a long time ago. As the title suggest, it's a slow number. It starts as a baroque type of movement with (I think) a clavichord, but when the vocals come in, it becomes more like classic early 70's prog, complete with a mellotron or a stringer. Enrico Simonetti - Oceano begins with a chord progression similar to the previous track, even in the same key, and it almost sounds like a postlude to the New Trolls track (which of course it is not). This one is instrumental though, and with an outstanding Rhodes piano.

Dick Dale & the Del Tones - Misirlou. This one I already knew. Typical of the instrumental style that was popular in the gap between 50's rock and roll and the Beatles. The eastern flavour is present especially in the harmonic structure and the use of an Arabic scale. Coming to think about it, his playing style sounds ahead of its time.

Patrizio Fariselli - Iqbal. What I especially like about this one is the vocal harmonies which blend with the Arabic sounds in an interesting way. Later a jazzy piano solo. The string instrument at the end sounds like a cimbalom to me.

Chano Dominguez Trio - Afro Flamenco. There seems to be quite a lot of jazz in this edition, and this track is no exception. Maybe because jazz blends well with different Mediterranean music styles. As the title suggest, there's a Spanish touch to it as well. Enjoyable listen, but I haven't got so much to say about it to be honest.

My votes will go to:

The third one was a difficult choice, there were many great songs.

'Méditerranée' is a very enjoyable track, one of the few that induces this summery and relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere. It is a pity that the piece was not a bit longer to unfold it's full effect. I listened to a few other tracks in order to get a sense of the whole album. The individual pieces are musically quite different. If I understood correctly, this is a collection of so called 'production/library music'. 'In spite of that' it seems that this album became a collectors item over the years. But it's probably because the music was written by Barry Forgie who has not only been the band leader of the BBC Big Band for many years but also worked as an arranger and composer, especially of film music. - I have not been able to comment on all contributions, thus I limited myself to those participatants who had made several suggestions to help them decide on their nominations.

I'm glad you liked my flamenco jazz piece! I would have preferred a somewhat calmer track but I mainly wanted to introduce this combo of top-class musicians who are masters of this genre.