Album "Kritidiki epohi"

Releasing his discographic work “Kritidiki epohi” (Cretaceous era), Ilias Zoutsos collaborates with Thanasis Papakonstantinou and his record label “Ahos”.
 
In this album he composes the music and arranges folk music themes and lyrics of Vintsentzos Kornaros and unknown or even well-known folk poets of Crete (Giannis Aerakis, Mitsos Stavrakakis, Michalis Dramountanis, Manolis Vitoros, Miron Skoulas), forming (in this way) 9 songs-images. Although these songs differ from one another, are yet united in total since they combine Ilias Zoutsos’ basic influences (traditional, classical and contemporary music). The combination of the vocals (in the way we find them in Crete and in the polyphonic songs of the world) with the sound of the acoustic guitar -using pedals and effects-, forms the starting-point of creating a music innovation, which combines the sounds of the modern urban scenery with primitive music forms.
 
In addition to the creator himself, who interprets on the guitar, the voice, the Cretan lyra and the violin, the orchestrations involve: Fotis Siotas (viola, vocals), Mihalis Kalkanis (double bass and electric bass, piano), Panos (Tsiko) Katsikiotis (drums, percussion) and Yiannis Paxevanis (acoustic and electric guitar), who is as well responsible for the production together with Ilias Zoutsos. The drawings are made by the painter-sculptor George Hatzakis.
 
 
Note by Thanasis Papakonstantinou
“Personally, I approach tradition with admiration and disrespect. With admiration as a listener and with disrespect as a composer. Such a mixture was that I distinguished Ilias for, therefore his work found its place in “Ahos”, a company which apart from my personal discographic work will also give other composers the chance to introduce their work.”
 
 
YouTube: https://bit.ly/2FmxAgC
 
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2eJalw1
 
iTunes/Apple Music: https://apple.co/2feTV2x
Deezer: https://bit.ly/2dCa6BS
 
 
Track list info:
 
1. Protovrohi
Music: Traditional - Ilias Zoutsos
Lyrics: a) Giannis Aerakis (Pologiannis), b) Mitsos Stavrakakis
Arrangement: Ilias Zoutsos
(Based on the rendition of the corresponding melody-lyrics (a’ half) by Nikiforos Aerakis)
Interpretation: Ilias Zoutsos
 
2. Fotia
Music: Traditional - Ilias Zoutsos
Lyrics: Traditional
Arrangement: Ilias Zoutsos
(Based on the first half of the piece “Thelo na vlepo thalassa” of Thanasis Skordalos)
Interpretation: Ilias Zoutsos
 
3. Erotokritos
Music: Traditional
Lyrics: Vitsentzos Kornaros (selected excerpt)
Arrangement: Ilias Zoutsos
Interpretation: Ilias Zoutsos
 
4. Na min xehno
Music: Traditional - Ilias Zoutsos
Lyrics: Traditional
Arrangement: Ilias Zoutsos
Interpretation: Ilias Zoutsos
 
5. Astrapi
Music: Traditional - Ilias Zoutsos
Lyrics: a) Michalis Dramountanis (Michalos), b) Manolis Vitoros (Mpachlis)
Arrangement: Ilias Zoutsos
Interpretation: Ilias Zoutsos
 
6. Ta kalli
Music: Traditional - Ilias Zoutsos
Lyrics: Traditional
Arrangement: Ilias Zoutsos
(Based on the first half of the piece “Sfakianos sirtos” of Manolis Lagos)
Interpretation: Ilias Zoutsos
 
7. Ta dio sou matia
Music: Ilias Zoutsos
Lyrics: a, b, d) Traditional, c) Miron Skoulas
(The last part (instrumental) is based on traditional musical motifs of Crete)
Interpretation: Ilias Zoutsos
 
8. Xena heria
Music: Traditional - Ilias Zoutsos
Lyrics: a) Traditional, b) Giannis Aerakis (Pologiannis)
Arrangement: Ilias Zoutsos
Interpretation: Ilias Zoutsos
 
9. Chrisokitrina staria (Xena heria part 2)
Music: Traditional - Yiannis Paxevanis - Ilias Zoutsos
 
 
Musicians:
Ilias Zoutsos: Acoustic guitar on all tracks, Electric guitar (lead) on 2, Violin on 5 and 7, Cretan lyra on 9, Vocals on 1, 2, 5, 6, and 8
Fotis Siotas: Viola on 3 and 8, Vocals on 1 and 4
Mihalis Kalkanis: Double bass on 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7, Electric bass on 2, 4, 8 and 9, Piano on 1, 6 and 7
Panos Katsikiotis (Tsiko): Drums on 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9, Percussion on 1, 5, 6, and 8
Yiannis Paxevanis: Electric guitar on 1, 2, 4 and 5, Acoustic guitar on 9
 
 
Orchestration: Yiannis Paxevanis - Ilias Zoutsos
Recording - Mix: Yiannis Paxevanis (Subway Studio)
Mastering: Yiannis Paxevanis - Vangelis Sapounas (Subway Studio)
Production: Ahos
Production curation: Ilias Zoutsos - Yiannis Paxevanis