Bob Salmieri – Baglama, tambur, soprano sax, clarinet, ney, percussions Patrizia Nasini – Voice Andrea Pullone – Baglama classic guitar Carlo Cossu – Violin, viola Andrea Piccioni – Daf, riqq, tamburello, darbuka Maurizio Perrone – Double bass Abdalla Mohamed – Ney, darbuka, riqq, sagat Pejman Tadajon – Tar, setar , Gunay Celik – Kanun , Volkan Gucer - Clarinet, kaval, Rewend Ahmed – Voice Gabriele Gagliarini – Percussioni, Raffaele Mallozzi – Lira calabra, organetto, Antonio Vignera, Maurizio Catania – Voci recitanti ​ Recorded: Roma e Istanbul Music: Bob Salmieri Lyrics: Ibn Hawqal, Ibn Gubayr, Abu al Quasim 'abd al Rahman, al Billanubi, Ibn Hamdis "Of all cultural fusions, the merging of Arabs and Italians may be one of the more intriguing. Sicily has long been a melting pot, with Greek and Romans first visiting, followed by a wave of Arabs and Normans, the latter taking hold of various cities in the 9th century before moving into the capital. The Normans booted them from power in the middle of the 11th century, though that does not mean Arab culture left no traces, or people. Milagro Acustico is one consequence of this merging, exploring classical Arabian music in the context of their homeland. Hence you find the Italian organetto, an accordion-type instrument used in religious procession, as well as the lira calabra, which looks something like the Indian sarangi, merging effortlessly with the more traditional Middle Eastern ney, daf, riqq and duduk. As a whole it's impossible to discern where Italy ends and Arabia begins, which is the point --this is a fusion over a millennia in the making, and sounds right at home. The playing of these instruments, not to mention the exquisite vocals that occasionally appear, is first-rate. Upon first listen it appears to be a percussive- and woodwind-based collection of Arabian music, but the subtle shades of the aforementioned instruments, as well as the clarinet and viola, add a different dimension. A truly unique disc with an impressive roster of players. DB - SINGOUT! (USA)