Suonando la batteria moderna

1974’s “Suonando la batteria moderna” professes to be some sort of practical guide to drumming, with straightforward track names like “Medium Rock”, “Onda Nueva 3 /4” and “Fast Afro Samba.” Instead the Neapolitan drummer’s first solo album (for years he was one of Italy’s most in-demand session musicians) has become  a cult breakbeat record, sampled and cited as an influence by the likes of UNKLE and Gaslamp Killer. Though in Italy he’s mostly known for his later albums,  which leaned more towards disco and pop,  “Suonando la batteria moderna” is a classic, and shows De Piscopo’s ability to build a full, enthralling sound using only his drums and percussions.