Tonino Balsamo's elusive 'Sta Guagliona Mo Ddà' officially released 40 years after its creation
The Periodica Records crew dive deep into the Neapolitan archives for their latest release
I suspected my Periodica Records love cup was already full to the brim, which indeed it was, but, thanks to the re-issue exploits they exhibit on their latest release, it’s now perilously close to spilling over. Having charmed the disco universe with a flurry of vintage-leaning productions forged by an ensemble cast of players in their West Hill Studio nerve centre, the Neapolitan maestros now turn their attention to resurrecting a quasi-mythical gem from their hometown vaults. Originally recorded in 1983 at the Rico Sound Studios, Tonino Balsamo’s ‘Sta Guagliona Mo Dda’ is the stuff of digging legend, thanks in no small part to a fairly flagrant misuse of production budget by the artists and crew.
While the recording process appeared successful enough, a large portion of the budget was variously spunked during a hedonistic whirlwind of lavish dinners, nightclub abandon, and general amorousness, meaning, when the time came to actually press the record, the coffers had run all but dry. A paltry number of cassettes were manufactured in lieu of a full vinyl release, and, through the odd mysterious promo copy occasionally surfaces in local flea markets and second-hand stores, neither the label nor artist have any recollection of authorising such pressings. One could surmise that the aforementioned spell of good living contributed to this lapse in memory, but the ambiguity only adds two the intrigue.
Having hunted high and low to discover the whereabouts of Tonino (named after his uncle Antonio, an esteemed master flautist), and 40 years after its creation, the Periodica gang proudly present the official release of this enigmatic would-be classic. The freshly mastered music is nothing short of sensational and certain to fly into the collections of fans of the West Hill sound. Sexy, wildly atmospheric and dripping in electro-funk swagger, Balsamo’s languid semi-rap flow meets a honeyed female chorus as live bass, ornamented synths and crisp machine drums seductively intertwine.
The music appears in a useful ‘Strumentale’ version, allowing the alluring instrumentation a moment to bask in the spotlight, though it’s probably fair to say that Tonino’s sultry vocal is a key component of the track’s enduring appeal. Finally, completing an essential release that is unlikely to linger in the racks for too long, keyboardist Enzo Anoldo’s previously unpublished ‘Voglie ‘E Mare’ presents an interesting variation on the theme, with novel overdubs and garnishes reframing the music through an early ‘90s lens.
Tonino Balsamo ‘Sta Guagliona Mo Ddà’ is out now on Periodica offshoot, Futuribile. You can buy it here.
