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Arrigo Lora-Totino

Collection of recordings by the Italian sound and concrete poet Arrigo Lora-Totino (1928-2016). His place in the history and development of poetical intermedia is undisputed.

This LP holds fourteen voice-based tape works made from the years 1968 to 2000. While there is some use of cut-up tape manipulation, the artistry truly lies in his performance of the sound plays. Multi-tracking is utilized and Arrigo’s nebulous voice paintings splat and click and glide. His bold expression is inspiring to me: it leads by example in encouraging the pulling of oneself further into their art.

I was staying at a hotel in San Francisco when I awoke in a sunfilled room to an email from Giovanni Fontana telling me that Arrigo had passed away. I was saddened by the departure of such a creative man, yet proud to be working with and perpetuating his legacy.