The Squid's Ear Magazine


Raia, Antonio : Asylum (Clean Feed)

Naples tenor saxophonist Antonio Raia's album of solo saxophone improvisations employs a mix of traditional and unusual techniques in 12 concise pieces that fragment "scraps" of melody into a diverse ruminating streams, recorded at the city's Filangeri Asylum by sound artist Renato Fiorito, using ten microphones to capture the unique qualities of the space.
 

Price: $13.95



Quantity:

In Stock

Quantity in Basket: None

Log In to use our Wish List
Shipping Weight: 2.00 units

Sample The Album:





product information:

Personnel:



Antonio Raia-tenor saxophone


Click an artist name above to see in-stock items for that artist.




UPC: 5609063004854

Label: Clean Feed
Catalog ID: CF485
Squidco Product Code: 26684

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2018
Country: Portugal
Packaging: Cardboard Gatefold
Recorded at l'Asilo, in Napoli, Italy, on September 11th-16th 2017, by Renato Fiorito.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"A chuckle or a grimace of memento, a shiver of rage or the same, but due to a steamy game and, most of all, a urge. Let the whole world in, and turn it out into an exploration, a clash of fire with this crooked, wooden, coppery, galvanized sort of dragon. You cannot help but tailoring a path, especially if necessary to ultimately represent yourself, so you can either choose a so called neutral recording studio, in order to dry up and focus every shift, or seize live connections with people, a not-so-aware public capable of supporting the crystallization of that once-in-a-lifetime show.

To build Asylum up I've gone for the 3rd option: me (and my instrument) and Renato Fiorito along with his 10 mics, aiming to portray 1000 m of mere space. In the very core of Naples, the whole Filangeri Asylum former dining hall played with us, in a harmony of wood and tuff, an everlasting patient background for the shifting valzer of thousands, a living, breathing, sizzling organism, bouncing notes and fragments of past and future lives, but also ticking together with leaving, stopping or passing by folks' steps. Looking forward to welcome and share freedom with a world in need of it, now more than ever."-Antonio Raia



"Antonio Raia is a young and talented Italian saxophonist who chose not to take the path of extreme music-shedding to carve himself a name and shape his identity. His few and very well planned outputs, both as records and concerts, are always arranged with exceptional care and Asylum, his second album, is no exception.

The record, out for the Portuguese label Clean Feed, contains twelve tracks for 31 minutes of play. A collection of short pieces, small postcards suggesting colourful memories and scented glimpses of antique melodies that unleash countless references to Mediterranean timeless traditions.

A welcome gift starting by its name Asylum, containing in itself the concept of acceptance, affording an open attitude that we find again in his approach to structure. The melodic lines in the pieces are fragmented and each fragment then investigated, providing a different angle for us to consider. This exposition follows a well-established and linear continuum in which Antonio takes the listener by the hand and gently guides them along the path, from the beginning to the end.

Across the whole album a strong relationship between the saxophone and the performing space is established. Renato Fiorito, the audio engineer who recorded and mixed Asylum, comes from the film industry and experimented with unusual microphone placement techniques that introduce proximity and take advantage of the peculiar reverberating space in which the album is recorded. The in-situ experience blends together with the sound of the saxophone and offers a rich and deep design of textures that become even more evident when Antonio plays in the lowest frequency range as in ÒThere is wind among the rocksÓ or when he introduces noisy elements like in Òthe sound of voice migled with scrapsÓ.

The choice of not recording in a studio nor recording a live concert setting becomes crucial in tailoring the identity of the whole work and contributes a lot to its unicity. Track after track Asylum is always able to surprise and to leave us wondering of what more is that tenor sax capable of. I guess we will hear more from Antonio in the future as we keep our eyes open for important collaborations to come."-Giuseppe Pisano, Toneshift

Also available on vinyl LP.
Get additional information at Toneshift

Artist Biographies

"Antonio Raia was born in Naples on 22/03/1988. At the age of 19 he began his tenor saxophone studies and graduated with honors in jazz sax at the Conservatory of Music of Salerno, G. Martucci, in 2013. He studied and attended master classes with many saxophonists and composers of the national and international scene, including : Jerry Bergonzi, Adam Rudolph, Archie Shepp, David Ryan. He played and shared the stage with: Adam Rudolph, David Ryan, Decibel Ensamble, Colin Vallon, Zu, Zeni Geva. Conduction experiences with Adam Rudolph and Elio Martusciello with whom he is still in concert activity.

In 2014 he released for Auand Record "Chaos Magnum" in collaboration with Forefront. In January 2015 he released for Auand Record "Infanticide" for Caterina Palazzi-Sudoku Killer; Sudoku Killer member since 2013. In April 2015 he released "Stories of a vain diary" concept-work video & music, project by and edited by Antonio Raia.

Since 2013 he has been involved in the jazz-core / free form in concert activity and performance art for over 70 performances a year. He has performed, and still continues, in national and European festivals, festivals and museums (Switzerland, Slovenia, Norway, France, Croatia). From 2015 he studies instant photography."

-Rockit.IT (Translated by Google) (https://www.rockit.it/antonioraia/biografia)
3/13/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. Torna a Surriento 2:08

2. Refugees 4:08

3. The lights inside scream 3:31

4. There is the wind among the rocks 1:19

5. Dicentencello Vuje 3:09

6. The sound of voices migled with scraps 1:20

7. Fire on heart 1:41

8. Follow the trail 1:53

9. Misty 1:53

10. The children in the yard Asylum 3:27

11. To Giulia Asylum 1:41

12. Lullaby Asylum 4:02

Related Categories of Interest:


Improvised Music
Jazz
Free Improvisation
European Improvisation, Composition and Experimental Forms
Recordings by or featuring Reed & Wind Players
Solo Artist Recordings

Search for other titles on the label:
Clean Feed.


Recommended & Related Releases:
Raia, Antonio
Asylum [VINYL]
(Clean Feed)
Naples tenor saxophonist Antonio Raia's album of solo saxophone improvisations employs a mix of traditional and unusual techniques in 12 concise pieces that fragment "scraps" of melody into a diverse ruminating streams, recorded at the city's Filangeri Asylum by sound artist Renato Fiorito, using ten microphones to capture the unique qualities of the space.
Palazzi, Caterina Sudoku Killer
Asperger
(Clean Feed)
A wicked hybrid of jazz, avant rock and cinematic elements, bassist Caterina Palazzi's quintet Sudoku Killer takes on the music of Disney in a suite where each track is dedicated to an antagonist from movies like "Snow White" or "Sleeping Beauty", performed with Giacomo Ancillotto (guitar), Maurizio Chiavaro (drums), Sergio Pomante (sax) and Antonio Raia (sax).
Other Recommended Releases:
Barradas, Joao
Solo II - Live at the Festival D'Aix-En-Prevence
(Clean Feed)
Active in both contemporary music and as an improviser, Portuguese accordionist João Barradas is heard live at the 2022 Festival d'Aix-en-Provence in France, performing solo on a chromatic accordion, MIDI chromatic accordion and voice for an expansive, un-interrupted six-part improvisation that showcases both his technical skills and his emotional passion.
Hatcher, Gerrit
Burnt Pan Rolling Boil
(Kettle Hole Records)
Chicago saxophonist Gerrit Hatcher sees his solo saxophone performances as a format that can be both charismatic and alienating in to the listener, as he uses extreme technique and powerful streams of emotional playing in a set of improvisations: "Salt Dome" parts 1-3, and "Cooking Fuel", each wrought with frailty and bluster; impressive work.
Hifiklub
E Lisboa
(Shhpuma)
A collaborative French instrumental rock band led by and with compositions from the core quartet of Anthony Belguise (drums), Jean-Loup Faurat (guitar), Regis Laugier (bass) and Nico Morcillo (guitar), with a list of 22 international guests across 8 songs and instrumentals, including Rafael Toral, Maria Radich, Paulo Furtado, Carlos Zingaro, Rui Carvalho, &c.
Steyer, Edith
Hoox And Add-ons
(Creative Sources)
A reflection of the previous year's solo work from Berlin-based saxophonist and clarinetist Edith Steyer, a member of GEDOK, the Berliner Senat and Composers Orchestra Berlin, here using preparations and extended techniques to open new possibilities in improvisations, as she explored ethnomusicology, using repetitive figures influenced by tribal music.
Zanuttini, Flavio Opacipapa
Born Baby Born
(Clean Feed)
Italian trumpeter Falvio Zanuttini (Arbe Garbe) leads his bassless trio with Piero Bittolo Bon on alto sax and Marco D'Orlando on drums through 8 Zanuttini compositions, exciting free jazz with a lyrical bent and a playful attitude, the unique orchestration driving the players into post-bop territory with great parallel interaction in the horns and swinging drums - impressive!
Risberg, Mattias
Stamps
(Clean Feed)
Swedish pianist Mattias Risberg demonstrates the passion he dedicates to vintage instruments like mellotron, Hammond organ, analog synthesizers, clavichord and pipe organs, here in a solo album of piano, with some light preparations, and the pedals of a Moog Taurus, in an inventive album of improvisations inspired by the vivid images of postage stamps.
Silva, Susana Santos
All The Rivers | Live At Panteao Nacional
(Clean Feed)
Exploring the ambient sound of the immense marble temple of the Portuguese National Pantheon, trumpeter Susana Santos Silva recorded this beautiful and spiritual solo improvisation as part of the Rescaldo Festival, adding tin whistle and bells as her stunning tone and impressive technique resonated and invoked the spirit of this 17th century monument.
Mazurek, Rob
Rome
(Clean Feed)
Rob Mazurek solo works are brilliant displays of honest, lyrical and emotional playing, here recording in Rome for Radio Roma, bringing the cornet to the foreground, starting with a piece only on the horn, then adding electronics, piano, and prepared piano for a set of ethereal and spiritual improvisations that are not bound by any specific genre.
Parzen-Johnson, Jonah
I Try To Remember Where I Come
(Clean Feed)
Chicago born, Brooklyn-based saxophonist Jonah Parzen-Johnson performs live at The Bunker on baritone saxophone, accompanying himself on analog synthesizer, using arpeggiated and repeating structures over which he improvises lyrical work using extended techniques including circular breathing, multiphonics, and overtones to great effect.
Rua, Vitor and The Metaphysical Angels
Do Androids Dream of Electric Guitars? [2CDs]
(Clean Feed)
A central figure in the Portuguese creative music scene, from the pop group GNR to free improv in Telectu to contemporary composition, guitarist Vitor Rua presents a 2-CD album, one multi-tracking solo in complex and astonishing ways, and the 2nd playing the same scores with his group The Metaphysical Angels of top figures in the Portuguese avant jazz scene.
Stackenas, David
Bricks
(Clean Feed)
An amazing solo CD of free improvisation from guitarit David Stackenaus, showing incredible technique and melodic intent, equally at ease when exploring tonality and melody or abstract noisy textures; compelling and impressive playing!
Ballou, Dave
Solo Trumpet
(Clean Feed)
Baltimore brass player and composer Dave Ballou, know for Either/Orchestra, Meridian Art Ensemble, John Hollenbeck's Large Ensemble, Satoko Fujii ensembles, &c, in an intimate, diverse, and informed solo album performed on Bb trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet, and mutes.
Sharp, Elliott
Octal Book 3
(Clean Feed)
The 3rd volume in NY guitarist Elliott Sharp's "Octal" project, using a Koll 8-string guitar/bass, an electroacoustic hollow-bodied guitar with 2 extra bass strings, presenting unedited improvisations of technical and sonic power.
Niggenkemper, Pascal
Look With Thine Ears
(Clean Feed)
Ever-active bassist Pascal Niggenkemper in his first solo album of riveting and intriguing double bass work, from aggressive to contemplative and immersive improvisations using work using bass preparations to transform the instrument and make us rethink its potential.
McPhee, Joe
Sonic Elements
(Clean Feed)
A distinctive solo album from legendary New York saxophonist and pocket trumpeter Joe McPhee, playing two extended solo improvisations, one dedicated to the late trumpeter Don Cherry, and one to innovative saxophonist Ornette Coleman.



Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought:
Williams, Mars / Vasco Trilla
Critical Mass
(Not Two)
The second release from the duo of Spanish percussionist Vasco Trilla and Chicago reedist Mars Williams, the latter performing both on reeds and on toy instruments, each using extraordinary and extended technique to create exotically energetic conversations and beautifully meditative environments, in five creative, playful and impressively informed dialogs.
Mollestad, Hedvig Weejuns
Weejuns
(Rune Grammofon)
A new trio from Norwegian improvising rock guitarist Hedvig Mollestad with Supersilent/Elephant9's Ståle Storløkken A new trio from Norwegian improvising rock guitarist Hedvig Mollestad with Supersilent/Elephant9's Ståle Storløkken on bass and drummer Ole Mofjel, in a well-balanced album that brings to mind Crimson, ECM fusion or Mahavishnu/Miles, through a six live performances throughout Norway of burning interaction around introspective sonic environments.and drummer Ole Mofjel, in a well-balanced album that brings to mind Crimson, ECM fusion or Mahavishnu/Miles, through a six live performances throughout Norway of burning interaction around introspective sonic environments.
Butcher / Charbin / Kanngiesser / Prevost
The Art Of Noticing
(Matchless)
"To celebrate drummer/percussionist Eddie Prévost's 80th birthday, Café Oto hosted four concerts once a week in June, 2022, each a differing configuration from Prévost's history; this 2nd concert brings together Prévost, Marjolaine Charbin (piano), Ute Kanngiesser (cello) and John Butcher (sax), the same group that recorded the contemporary album Sounds of Assembly on the Meena label.
Shelton, Skeeter / Hamid Drake
Sclupperbep
(Two Rooms Records)
After meeting in Detroit when tenor saxophonist & flutist Skeeter Shelton subbed for a sick player in a duo concert with drummer/percussionist Hamid Drake, the two found a bond through Shelton's father, Ajaramu Shelton, who had been one of Drake's mentor at Chicago's AACM; the concert was so successful that this recording was immediately planned, based around many of Shelton's themes.
Bruckmann / Djll / Heule / Nishi-Smith
Brittle Feebling
(Humbler)
The title gives a sense of the unusual acoustic improvisation this West Coast collective perform, along with their description "prickles and bleats, an abrasive delicacy; fricative rasp and withheld breath seethe together in a discomfiting cuddle" — from Kyle Bruckmann on oboe & English horn, Tom Djll on trumpet, Jacob Felix Heule on floor tom, and Kanoko Nishi-Smith on koto.
Charles, Xavier / Bertrand Gauguet
Spectre
(Akousis Records)
Using the interference points of closely pitched sound, long-time collaborators Xavier Charles and Bertrand Gauguet use acoustic and amplified clarinets and saxophones to create frequency landscapes that change slowly, ringing with harmonics while finding unison and conflict in their tones, creating meditative aural environments of great beauty and reflection.
Branche, Sebastien
Lignes de Fuite [CASSETTE]
(Mappa)
Sebastien Branche (Insub Meta Orchestra, Miguel A. Garcia) uses the tenor saxophone as a sound source, meticulously applying extended techniques, circular breathing and the resonance of the saxophone itself during improvisation, using Supercollider software in a two-way collaboration where the instrument also transforms the sounds provided by the computer.
Olencki, Weston
Solo Works
(Creative Sources)
New York City-based trombonist/composer Weston Olencki, specializing in the performance and production of experimental music & art, presents four compositions for brass instruments exploring a sound-based and psychoacoustic approach to solo performance, applying extended instrument preparations and fundamental principles of sound synthesis to this acoustic medium.
Thomson, Scott
Murray - Trombone Solos
(Tour de Bras)
Trombonist Scott Murray (Monicker, AIMToronto) performed this installment of his "Trombone Solos at Odd Hours" series by paying homage after the passing of his friend, painter and drummer John Heward, recording this concert at Heward's studio in his home on Murray Street in Montreal, in a far-ranging and emotional solo performance of fascinating technique and expression.



The Squid's Ear Magazine

The Squid's Ear Magazine

© 2002-, Squidco LLC