Antonio Forcione on ‘SKETCHES OF AFRICA’
Click here to purchase and download Sketches of Africa“I have always enjoyed travelling around the world and have done so for about 25 years; it is these journeys that have helped me mould the way I write, perceive and play music. It has now been about five years since my last recording, after which I began sketching out new tunes, drawing inspiration from my love of African music and re-ignited by subsequent visits to Zimbabwe and South Africa.
“Having immersed myself in rock, soul, jazz, Latin, and Italian folk music, I then found myself gravitating towards music that more closely resembles ‘music of origin’ – the music that reflects its raw origins and that has some kind of traceable geographic map to its historical roots.
“I felt a natural affinity with melodies which had a lot of emphasis on
rhythm. I see my album Sketches of Africa as a large canvas that
generously shares its space with different stories, without being too
self-indulgent; in other words I’d like to think that there is enough in
it for almost everyone to sit back and enjoy.
“There is a tune, Madiba’s Jive, which is a tribute to Nelson Mandela, and which I wrote after seeing an in-flight documentary about him and I was deeply moved by the detail of his life, choices, and what he represents. Musically speaking I have always pursued what appeals to me on a personal and emotional level. I have therefore spent many years performing, composing, arranging and recording that music which I believe in or that with which I feel a deep connection, without compromise.
“I was particularly struck by the wild beauty of the places I visited; the unforgettable sunsets, incredible starry skies and the warmth and generosity of the people I met. I was quite taken with the slow pace of life and a simplicity of gratitude and optimism in the face of hardship that was both charming and disarming at the same time. I was also very impressed by the people and their ‘can-do’ attitude in the face of adversity.â€
“The Song for Zimbabwe was inspired by my travels and my concerts in beautiful Zimbabwe, and memories of a warm and beautiful people who gracefully endure unimaginable hardship. Chiwonizo Maraire lent her words and beautiful voice, to a song of and for her people, accompanied by the smoky voice of Zamo Mbutho (recognizable in many a Miriam Makeba performance.)
“ I composed Tarifa first, because it was from Tarifa, the southernmost tip of Spain – that I first laid eyes on the continent of Africa on the distant shores, which profoundly affected me.
Sketches of Africa was recorded in Zimbabwe, Johannesburg, and London. Antonio found additional musicians on his travels and friends, who had heard about his new project, introduced him to other musicians. For the first time Antonio worked with a co-producer, his old friend and colleague, Chris Kimsey, the legendary producer of artists such as Tom Jones, Jimmy Cliff, Duran Duran, Ash, and many more.
“There is a tune, Madiba’s Jive, which is a tribute to Nelson Mandela, and which I wrote after seeing an in-flight documentary about him and I was deeply moved by the detail of his life, choices, and what he represents. Musically speaking I have always pursued what appeals to me on a personal and emotional level. I have therefore spent many years performing, composing, arranging and recording that music which I believe in or that with which I feel a deep connection, without compromise.
“I was particularly struck by the wild beauty of the places I visited; the unforgettable sunsets, incredible starry skies and the warmth and generosity of the people I met. I was quite taken with the slow pace of life and a simplicity of gratitude and optimism in the face of hardship that was both charming and disarming at the same time. I was also very impressed by the people and their ‘can-do’ attitude in the face of adversity.â€
“The Song for Zimbabwe was inspired by my travels and my concerts in beautiful Zimbabwe, and memories of a warm and beautiful people who gracefully endure unimaginable hardship. Chiwonizo Maraire lent her words and beautiful voice, to a song of and for her people, accompanied by the smoky voice of Zamo Mbutho (recognizable in many a Miriam Makeba performance.)
“ I composed Tarifa first, because it was from Tarifa, the southernmost tip of Spain – that I first laid eyes on the continent of Africa on the distant shores, which profoundly affected me.
Sketches of Africa was recorded in Zimbabwe, Johannesburg, and London. Antonio found additional musicians on his travels and friends, who had heard about his new project, introduced him to other musicians. For the first time Antonio worked with a co-producer, his old friend and colleague, Chris Kimsey, the legendary producer of artists such as Tom Jones, Jimmy Cliff, Duran Duran, Ash, and many more.
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