Lino Capra Vaccina ‎– Antico Adagio

Before an aberrant idea of progress and workaholic ethic ludicrously sped up our daily lives, even in the hectic city of Milan it was possible to “play slowly” – with no pressure, simply following the path your art was showing you. After a classic artistic journey and an experimental stint with Aktuala and other brilliant fellow musicians (like Franco Battiato, above all), Lino Capra Vaccina, near the end of the 70s, recorded Antico Adagio. It was an amazing album, anticipating countless future experiments in the field of new age and world music but also in avantgarde and electronic music. Apart from a few violin parts and the extraordinary vocal lines (sung by Vaccina himself and Juri Camisasca), Antico Adagio is an album fully built on percussions. But, at the same time, it’s the farthest thing from the typical idea of percussions. You won’t find a single trace of African or primitive beats: instead, this is a collection of rather long, subtle and thoughtful compositions, crafted with vibraphones, marimbas and gong. Together they create a work which will remain unique – both in Capra Vaccina’s discography as well as in a more general sense. (Soundohm review)

12 page booklet not 24 page as said. Fantastic CD

LINO "CAPRA" VACCINA
ANTICO ADAGIO
(Musicando MUS 013) CD 41m
Lino will be known to some from the first Aktuala album, also as a collaborator with Battiato on the magical Gil from Jumbo's VIETATO AI MINORI DI 18 ANNI? And, of course, he's on the above Tielo Magnetico too. Lino is an avant-garde percussionist (and multi-instrumentalist) par excellence.
The 1978 album ANTICO ADAGIO explores the periphery of what was first developed by the likes of Andrea Centazzo in the early-70's, also transmuting Battiato's semi-systemic edge of SULLE CORDE DE ARIES from electronics to tuned percussion and gongs, and ever more ethereal he ventures naturally to the realms of Aktuala too! There's little to focus on in a review however, as this is so unconventional an album, that unless you know this spirit of such Italian music, any description would be meaningless. Juri Camisasca (as heard on Telaio Magnetico) here again proves his worth as an experimental vocalist, subtly adding wordless textures when apt. Really, this is an extraordinary album, not least so in that it is totally acoustic, and that it manages to surprise with each new track. The very spirit of the new Italian avant-garde.
my review from Audion #36, page 12 - Autumn 1996.