Distressed Colours is the eighth album by Notturno Concertante, the first with a new trio lineup: founders Lucio Lazzaruolo and Raffaele Villanova, along with drummer Francesco Margherita – who also appeared on their previous album, Let Them Say, in 2020. They also feature guests such as Albanian clarinetist Defrim Mala, American keyboardist Jack Julian, Russian violinist Nadia Khomoutova, Greek saxophonist Spiros Nikas, and Gianluca Milanese, a flautist known for his collaborations with Riccardo Muti, Alirio Diaz, Richard Sinclair, Phil Miller, Franco Battiato, Lucio Dalla, Joe Zawinul, and others. Special guest appearance by Cristiano Roversi (Moongarden, Submarine Silence, John Wetton), who played bass and stick, and also handled the album’s final mastering.
Following the national and international success of their previous album, Let Them Say, Notturno’s new instrumental album explores diverse influences while maintaining a consistent balance thanks to a cohesive musical texture: 14 tracks with inspirations ranging from ethnic music to electronic, from rock to classical, a crossroads of genres in the best tradition of the Campania-based band.
Two classical guitars (built by a renowned Italian luthier) were used for the recordings, played creatively and complemented by eclectic and energetic drumming. Acoustic instruments coexist with synths and piano, the sound is clear and powerful. Despite being an instrumental work, Notturno Concertante has sought a more direct and less reflective approach, carefully crafting the interplay of various sounds to create a balanced, enjoyable product that’s never banal or predictable.
The artwork is by Raffaele Villanova, whose graphic design references the “anguished colors” of the title track, identified in a group of migrants en route to a hoped-for salvation, but in reality with no certainty about the future.
