Antonio Forcione Quartet in Concert AfQ NaimCD099

Following the phenomenally successful "In concert" DVD release late in 2006, the Naim Label is releasing the CD of this captivating performance.

Originally commissioned by Naim, following the AFQ’s magnificent sell out tours both in the UK and mainland Europe, and recorded by Martin Levan of Red Kite Studio, the CD captures the performance of the band at its best. The combination of an intimate theatre - the Trinity in Tunbridge Wells - and the realistic sound and scale captured make this an unmissable CD.

The recording was completely live, there were no overdubs in the studio later as is perhaps more normal. The band was a particular challenge to record as they are essentially acoustic in nature. The recording was almost exclusively made by microphones rather than Direct Injections (DIs) to retain the full acoustic sense and dynamic of the quartet.

Working out how to mike up Antonio's Guitar was particularly difficult as his performance relies heavily on him moving about so much on stage, consequently a small amount of DI on Antonio’s guitar was used in conjunction with small microphones placed inside his instruments.

Charlie Haden and Antonio Forcione Heartplay NaimCD098 and NaimLP101

Naim is so pleased to have had the opportunity once again to work with the legendary bass player Charlie Haden. Famed for his ground breaking work with Ornette Coleman in the 60s, Charlie has played and recorded with nearly every musical luminary you can think of.

It's no less of a pleasure to have recorded the outstanding guitarist Antonio Forcione, also no stranger to The Naim Label. Antonio brings his immense talent to the recording, contributing a thrilling performance.

Heartplay is a subtle and sublime collaboration. Charlie and Antonio play a combination of compositions by each other, and a beautifully sparkling track called Child's Play by Fred Hersch.

Charlie's bass sounds beautifully deep and rounded, an incredibly satisfying and symbiotic partner with Antonio's guitar. These elegant and eloquent duets are totally atmospheric and an absolute joy to listen to.

The album was recorded by Ken Christianson in Naim's very own tried, tested and spectacularly proved "True Stereo" method, where the musicians play live and are recorded direct to a two track reel to reel tape recorder. The result is a unprocessed analogue recording, in which the sound of the instruments is allowed to shine without any hindrance from the procedure.

Following the critical acclaim of world class Italian guitarist/composer Antonio Forcione's last album, The Naim Label release their ninth album with Antonio, Tears Of Joy. Recorded at the Red Kite studios in Wales earlier this year, the album is a truly international affair, featuring the Antonio Forcione Quartet: Jenny Adejayan - cello; Adriano Adewale - percussion, and Igor Outkine - accordion, along with special guests: Ronu Majumdar - bansuri; Nathan Thomson - double bass; Enzo Zirilli - drums/percussion; Alex Wilson - piano; and Micheline Van Hautem - vocals.

An awesome mixture of utterly compelling original material, the music on Tears Of Joy has been written, arranged and produced by Antonio Forcione. He evokes a wide range of emotions from deep contemplation to ecstatic celebration, combining technical brilliance with emotional depth.

Hailed as the 'Jimi Hendrix' of the acoustic guitar, award-winning Forcione is considered one of the most charismatic and inventive performers to come out of Europe in recent years. Artistic, intense and formidably inventive, Antonio transcends the familiar preconceptions of jazz guitarist, playing a vibrant and evocative music described by Jazz FM as "world music with a universal" appeal. His remarkable originality stems from his creative quest to use every imaginable part of the acoustic guitar without losing sight of a refined musical sense, playing music tinged with echoes of African, flamenco, Brazilian, classical and blues with a hint of Indian Raga.

Antonio has been hailed as "the Jimi Hendrix of the acoustic guitar" and his live performances have established him as one of the most charismatic and talented musicians working in the UK today, a sentiment that would be echoed by his many fans the world over.

Touch Wood develops themes touched on in previous recordings, resulting in an album that is inspired as much by Italian folk music and Pat Metheny as it is by Brazilian, Spanish and Cuban music.

Antonio has spent the last two years perfecting the set and performing live with his new quartet. The three musicians with whom Antonio has chosen to work bring another dimension to this album, and the benefits of their close working relationship are very noticeable. Jenny Adejayan on cello, Adriano Pinto on percussion and Giorgio Serci on guitar make up Antonio's quartet, accompanying him on twelve and six string guitars and his custom-made, fretless Uddan.

Sabina Sciubba, who recorded once before with Antonio for the Naim Label, makes a special guest appearance on Touch Wood. Their album "Meet Me In London" met with great critical acclaim. They duet on "Mirror Mirror", which was written by Antonio and Sabina.Touch Wood also features gypsy singer Diego el Cigala, rising star of the Spanish Flamenco scene.

This exciting first live album from Antonio is a brilliant showcase for his incredible talent as a live performer, and demonstrates why he believes, "There is a special magic, an intimate vibrancy in a live performance which is impossible to recreate in the studio."

The album features music from his earlier albums, and three previously unrecorded, self-penned tracks, which will delight his many fans.

Antonio Live! was recorded at The Vortex in London, a regular venue in Antonio's gig diary, and features Nic France on percussion and Rony Barrak on middle eastern tabla.

The album was recorded by Peter Williams and captures all the intimacy associated with a small venue and Antonio’s true art.

"Sometimes in life, we meet someone with whom we feel an instant connection. This was the case with Benito and me. We both have running through our veins a love and passion for the spirit and music so particular with the region of southern Italy where we both spent the early years of our childhood. We were immediately aware of the compatibility of his voice and my guitar and were delighted to have the opportunity to share our music on this recording.

Benito's talents are not restricted to his amazing voice; he also has a great gift of drawing people together and creating a uniquely happy atmosphere of warmth and witty story-telling. This showed itself strongly during the five day recording of this album when he would have us all in stitches during the breaks.

Our dear friend Rossana Casale's tribute to De André on 'La Canzone di Marinella' has added the final touches to this project and we hope everyone will enjoy listening to this album as much as we enjoyed making it." Antonio Forcione

Vento del Sud was arranged and produced by Antonio Forcione and recorded and mixed at Master Studio, Sarnano, Italy with recording engineer Gianbattista Lizzori.

Following the success of his other albums on The Naim Label, Antonio Forcione has teamed up with the world famous rhythm section of Trilok Gurtu on percussion, and Kai Eckhardt on bass to produce an album that will certainly elevate his international standing further still. Trilok and Kai have previously worked with a host of celebrated musicians including Neneh Cherry, Martin Taylor, Pat Metheny, and John McLaughlin.

All ten tracks on this recording were written and arranged by Antonio, providing a glowing testimonial to his abilities as a composer, and demonstrating that his considerable musical talent continues to develop.

Jazz FM's David Freeman describes this release by guitarist Antonio Forcione and chanteuse Sabina Sciubba as a "CD full of wonderfully recorded, inspiring, enjoyable music."

Antonio and Sabina put a fascinating spin on a collection of jazz standards, rearranged pop classics, and some enchanting new compositions to deliver a disc that provides a rare blend of pure magic and undiluted genius.

Described by Guitarist magazine as "Two players intent on redefining all known laws concerning what is possible with two acoustic guitars," Antonio Forcione and Neil Stacey celebrate their five-year partnership with their first studio recording.

Talking Hands demonstrates why these two players work together so successfully, their individual styles of adventure, humour and improvisation combining and contrasting to produce music that is lucid, flamboyant and exciting.

Although this is Antonio's second album for the Naim label, it is actually his first solo recording, which has not been generally available until now.

Described by Scotland's The Herald as "Dynamic, atmospheric and fizzing" and by BBC Radio 2 as "Absolutely marvellous", it is the record that Antonio feels defined his personal style. Remixed and remastered to meet our demanding standards, it provides a stimulating exploration of Antonio's unique talents both as a player and a composer.

"Antonio possesses all the qualities of a great artist - a complete command of his instrument, a vast knowledge and respect for all musical traditions, the charisma to communicate his music to an audience, and the ability never to allow the above fine qualities to get in the way of his creative processes. Antonio is a virtuoso who plays from the heart." Martin Taylor.