Galathea Vinyl, CD & Tape 6 Items

Following the release of "Sacred Love" second album by Galathea, Massimo Napoli as he already did for the acclaimed "Samba De Sausalito" offers us 4 totally unreleased tracks released by Space Echo in a single 12” named "Ancestral EP". Mystical and hypnotic atmospheres for "Ancestral" and "Karimabao" an addictive alchemy between African rhythmic elements and contemporary pulsating electronic sounds, in a unique mix suitable for the most sophisticated dancefloor. Afrobeat groove for "Africa Carnival" which however captures the essence of the Brazilian spirit infused with sensitivity between jazz and funk masterfully performed by Mario Pappalardo on keyboards and not surprisingly reminds us of the famous "Jazz Carnival" by José Roberto Bertrami of Azymuth. Closing The EP is the track "Sacred Club" an invitation to dance and clapping for a more moderate dancefloor, offers us micro elements of sacredness and mysticism of the African continent. Enjoy!!!!!

Massimo Napoli is a DJ from Catania with a passion for jazz and black music. He began his musical career in the early 90s playing funk, hip hop, and acid jazz in clubs, contributing to the spreading of the most eclectic and refined sounds in Sicily.

Departing from club culture with particular emphasis on electronic dub, Galathea unfolds into many influences and styles, making it a unique listening experience. Mediterranean culture, afro and cinematic melodies, jazz, spiritual echoes, and soothing beats lead the listener into a subliminal escape, where the fluidity and the convergence of genres freely progress into a dream-like journey. In

"Afrique," the melody and the rhythmic Nigerian Afro-funk blend with dub tonalities into a subtle listening experience, enriched by Kadi Koulibaly's vocal performance in the unreleased video version for the first time on vinyl

"Sunset Dub" was written in collaboration with musician and producer Salvo Dub; the song starts with a dynamic and percussive session and progresses into minimal dub tones and electronic. An alternative vibe version of it never released before is the perfect blend for a barefoot dance by the sea

“This is African Jazz" never releases on Vinyl is inspired by the Savannah sounds; it carries the listener on a refined journey accompanied by an African dub and percussions.

Galathea is the new project by DJ Massimo Napoli, and the title of his first solo album. Borrowing the name from the homonymous Nereid from the Greek mythology, the album is a deep dive into dub, spiritual jazz and African surroundings. Over 12 tracks, the LP conceals a strong personality. Departing from club culture with particular emphasis on electronic dub, Galathea unfolds into many influences and styles, making it a unique listening experience. Mediterranean culture, afro and cinematic melodies, jazz, spiritual echoes, and soothing beats lead the listener into a subliminal escape, where the fluidity and the convergence of genres freely progress into a dream-like journey. In "Spiritual Wind," the essence of spiritual jazz can be perceived on the central 5/4 rhythm, the deep double baseline, and the vocals. In "Afrique," the melody and the rhythmic Nigerian Afro-funk blend with dub tonalities into a subtle listening experience, enriched by Kadi Koulibaly's vocal performance. In "Dune," the album moves from Africa to the Caribbean; it is a tribute to the Cuban and Puerto Rican culture, sonically achieved with the interplay of Latin rhythms and dub sounds. “Black Sand" is an Afro dub jazz composition; John Lui's poignant vocal performance accompanies the dub sounds and African instruments. In "Scirocco," the warm and hypnotic atmosphere merges with Asian hues; it is reminiscent of the Shurhùq (or "midday wind") - a warm wind that blows from the Southeast over the Mediterranean Sea. The result is an explosive combination of music traditions with the addition of dub timbres. In "Simeto," Asian influences merge with jazz. The delicate sitar blends with dub atmospherics like river ripples gently flowing towards the sea. Simeto (in ancient Greek "Symaithos") is the river flowing into the Ionian Sea from the slopes of Etna. "Sunset Dub" was written in collaboration with musician and producer Salvo Dub; the song starts with a dynamic, percussive session and progresses into minimal dub tonalities and electronica. "Sirens" is an ethereal song composition enhanced by the sounds of the sea and the sea birds, as well as the haunting sirens' voices. "Karma Blues" is an Afro-blues track with impact. The kora and the reggae singing perfectly paint the recording and its gentle and atmospheric progression. "This is African Jazz" is inspired by the Savannah sounds; it carries the listener on a refined journey accompanied by an African dub and percussions. "Amanecer" was conceived as a soundtrack to welcome the sun, with the strings accompanying the sea sounds and the chanting of the sea birds.

In addition to the now classic digital release 'Sacred Love' will see the light of day in 7" vinyl format (45 rpm) in two versions. An Afro-American track with a Tony Allen-esque super afrobeat rhythm opens side A (Logo Side) in a hypnotic jazz version performed by singer Giulia La Rosa, who also wrote the lyrics, vaguely reminiscent of Nina Simone's "See-Line Woman".
The B side (This Side) is a 'Clapping Version' without drums which will certainly give free rein to DJs of the genre who want to mix different grooves.

"Sacred Love" is also Galathea's new album due in January 2024. Massimo Napoli's new project once again sees the collaboration of his friend producer and bass player Salvo Dub, as well as a combo of respectable musicians: singer Kadi Koulibaly - originally from Burkina Faso - already featured on the first album, pianist Mario Pappalardo, percussionist Sergio Spitaleri, drummer Luciano Cantone.

The debut album by the Italian Massimo Napoli aka Galathea received excellent critical acclaim and demonstrated how the artist was able to create an interesting and balanced blend of musical genres with an Afro / Tropical electronic atmosphere. “Samba de Sausalito” is a song composed by the Nicaraguan percussionist Chose “Chepito” Areas, famous all over the world thanks to the version of the guitarist Carlos Santana published in 1973 on the album Welcome. This new single released on Space Echo Records contains two particular versions. The first, proposed by Galathea, maintains the typical carioca colors of the original version with the addition of hypnotic and futuristic sounds, making it a perfect modern dancefloor anthem. The second consists of a rework of the first version, by The Invisible Session – further percussive elements are added to the already full-bodied mix, embellished with an exclusive live drum solo in the studio – between samba, afro and jazz-rock, for a explosive result that will appeal to lovers and DJs.

Two years after the release of his first self-titled album, DJ producer Massimo Napoli aka Galathea presents the new 'Sacred Love', in which he once again avails himself of the collaboration of his friend producer and bass player Salvo Dub, as well as a combo of respected musicians: singer Kadi Koulibaly - originally from Burkina Faso - already featured on the first album, Giulia La Rosa, author of the lyrics and performer of the title track, pianist Mario Pappalardo, percussionist Sergio Spitaleri and drummer Luciano Cantone. 'Sacred Love' is definitely a more mature, intense and profound journey than the previous album of the same name, which enhances the magical dreamlike and spiritual atmospheres of a certain African culture. The album guides the listener along a path of multi-ethnic contaminations: "Divinité", "Ouaga" and "Koloko", well interpreted by Kadi, touch on the sacredness and mysticism of the African continent and blend well with the Spiritual Jazz sounds that have evolved in the West. "Divinité", through the spoken word of French poet Diego Hernandez, tackles the themes of faith, life and the relationship with one's 'self', with references to French chanson productions, in which Kadi's spiritual song, at times 'Saharan', intersects and expands into cosmic space. The title track, the first single from the album, also released on 7" (45rpm) in two versions, is an Afro-American gospel with a typically afrobeat rhythm, vaguely reminiscent of Nina Simone's 'See-Line Woman'. North Africa is represented by "Equator", while we climb further north into the middle of the Mediterranean Sea with "Medican Blues", to land in Stromboli with the Deep Jazz of "Ginostra", whose title recalls the village of the marvellous island in the Aeolian archipelago. Then we have the Cuban track "Caminito", a sort of Cha-Cha with a romantic piano melody (à la Chucho Valdez) well performed by maestro Mario Pappalardo; and then again "Eos", strongly Balearic with a Brazilian mood; "Impression", a dreamy journey of impact; "Sirens", already present on the first album and here reworked in a new Spiritual-Ambient version produced by Agosta. "Sacred Love" is thus an original and musically borderless album, which expands a certain African sacred culture and naturally blends Afrobeat, Jazz and Blues atmospheres with the Balearic sounds of Mediterranean culture. Enjoy listening!