Aktuala were a pioneering band from
Italy, formed in 1972. The name comes from the
Esperanto
Esperanto ( or ) is the world's most widely spoken constructed international auxiliary language. Created by the Warsaw-based ophthalmologist L. L. Zamenhof in 1887, it was intended to be a universal second language for international communi ...
for "contemporary".
Their music has been categorised as
world music,
progressive rock,
psychedelic
Psychedelics are a subclass of hallucinogenic drugs whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary states of consciousness (known as psychedelic experiences or "trips").Pollan, Michael (2018). ''How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of ...
, or
avant garde
The avant-garde (; In 'advance guard' or 'vanguard', literally 'fore-guard') is a person or work that is experimental, radical, or unorthodox with respect to art, culture, or society.John Picchione, The New Avant-garde in Italy: Theoretical De ...
, or "sounding like that of the English group
Third Ear Band
Third Ear Band were a British musical group formed in London during the mid-1960s. Their line-up initially consisted of violin, cello, oboe and percussion. Most of their performances were instrumental and partly improvised. Their records for th ...
".
They formed in 1972 in
Milan by husband and wife team
Walter and Laura Maioli who were collectors and performers of ancient and ethnic instruments. For a while the group lived together in a musical commune, "picking olives and playing music". They played unconventional venues including asylums and wharfs.
They signed with the Bla Bla label and released their debut, self-titled album in 1973. Two members, Lino Vaccina and Walter Maioli, left soon afterwards to pursue a collaboration with
Trilok Gurtu. All three returned for their second album, ''La Terra'', which was released in 1974. Following this, the band moved to
Morocco to produce their third album, ''Tappeto Volante'', in 1976.
Many of the band members went on to other music ventures. Maioli went on to the
Futuro Antico project, Cavallanti to the band Muzik Circus, Gurtu to world music.
Members
*
Walter Maioli: oboe, flute, harmonica, ethnic and self-designed and made "ancient" woodwind and percussion instruments, studio treatments 1973 - 1976
* Daniele Cavallanti: Saxes 1973 - 1976
* Antonio Cerantola: Guitar 1973 - 1976
* Laura Maioli: percussioni 1973
* Lino Vaccina: percussioni 1973 - 1974
* Otto Corrado: saxes, flute 1974
* Attilio Zanchi: guitar 1974
* Marjon Klok: harp 1974 - 1976
*
Trilok Gurtu: percussion 1974 - 1976
* Kela Rangoni Macchiavelli: percussioni 1976
* Fabrizio Cassanoi: sitar 1976
Discography
*
''Aktuala'' LP (Bla Bla, 1973)
*
''La Terra'' (''The Earth'') LP (Bla Bla, 1974)
*
''Tappeto Volante'' (''Flying Carpet'') LP (Bla Bla, 1976)
External links
Walter Maioli's Aktuala pageSoundohm artist's page for AktualaProg Archives page for Aktuala
*
* Aktuala profileon Allmusic
{{DEFAULTSORT:Aktuala
Italian progressive rock groups
World_music_groups
Musical groups from Milan