Tullio De Piscopo Revolt Group ‎– Sotto E 'Ncoppa (1975, LP, Italy)

LATO 1

A1. 'O sipario (1:09)
A2. Divario (2:30)
A3. Rettifilo, ora di punta (4:53)
A4. 'O miracolo adda' venì (3:35)
A5. Tarantella po' scugnizzo (4:55)
LATO 2
B1. Sotto e 'ncoppa (4:36)
B2. 'A cozzeca (1:38)
B3. 'O piscatore (6:44)
B4. Porta Capuana in festa (4:00)
B5. Circumvesuviana ore 7:45 (1:50)
B6. Inno a Napoli ('A marcia nova) (2:20)

Musicisti
Arrangiamenti – Revolt Group
Batteria, Rototom, Armonica, Congas – Tullio De Piscopo
Basso Elettrico, Percussioni – Gigi Cappellotto
Chitarra Elettrica, Chitarra Acustica – Sergio Farina
Percussioni, Timpani – Tony De Piscopo
Pianoforte, Fender Piano, Moog – Sante Palumbo
Sax Soprano, Braxturanus – Peter Guidi
Sax Tenore, Sax Soprano, Flauto, Vibrafono – Giorgio Baiocco
Testi, Voce Solista – Tullio De Piscopo


Italian drummer from Napoli, born in 1946 and having a brief involvement in the Italian Prog movement.In 1973 he appeared in Tito Schipa Jr.'s Rock Opera ''Orfeo 9'' and also became a member of New Trolls at the time they were named New Trolls Atomic System, recording two albums with the band.In 1974 De Piscopo released his solo debut ''Suonando la batteria moderna'', a totally drum- and percussion-based album, and the following year a second work sees the light as Tullio De Piscopo Revolt Group, titled ''Sotto e 'ncoppa'' and released on the Carosello label.Here he met again with New Trolls Atomic System's bandmate Giorgio Baiocco on sax, while the other members were Sante Palumbo on keyboards and Sergio Farina on guitar (both played in Sway) and Gigi Cappellotto on bass, a regular guest on Angelo Branduardi's early works.

This is one of the most overlooked albums of the 70's Italian Jazz Fusion scene, a technically impressive work, which becomes even more enganging because of its occasional cinematic breaks and Soundtrack-like qualities.For the most part this is a highly virtuosic Fusion album with perfect drumming by De Piscopo and some incredible exercises by his colleagues, largely instrumental and only interrupted by some narrations of Tullio, performed in fast and frantic rhythms with frenetic interplays popping up frequently and having often a slight Mediterrenean/Eastern taste, pretty reminiscent of MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA during the more powerful parts, or even KRAAN during the more sax- and drum-dominanted moments.Some very good jazzy solos by Farina and nice keyboard parts by Palumbo.What we describe here is another standard, delicate Fusion album, but you should give De Piscopo some extra credits for adding some unexpected injections to his work: from the Soundtrack-influenced laid-back textures with the female choirs and the poetic spoken words to the ultra-melodic sax breaks in a Loung Jazz mood and the Avant Garde/Free Jazz pinches in a couple of pieces, definitely some very surprising parts placed next to an accurate execution in the realms of Jazz Fusion.

With his next work ''Vol.2'' (1976) De Piscopo started to add Pop and Disco flavors into his jazzy sound, showcasing the direction he would follow in the near future.His later few albums were somewhere between Jazz and Disco, while he became more famous as a session musician, playing in numerous commercial productions, mainly during the 80's. (apps79)