MammaLunaFrontIntroduction

“I Nuovi Angeli” is an Italian pop group founded in Milan in 1963 as a group of three musicians, but over time adding more members and consisting of several different line-ups. During the 1960s the band received some recognition, but true success came in the early 1970s thanks to a string of hits written by Renato Pareti and Roberto Vecchioni, such as ‘Donna Felicità’ (1971), ‘Uakadi Uakadù’ (1971), ‘Singapore’ (1972) and ‘Anna Da Dimenticare’ (1973).

In the spring of 1976 I Nuovi Angeli worked with Vangelis’ brother Niko Papathanassiou to produce two songs: ‘Mamma Luna’ and ‘Teresa La Vispa’, released on a 7” single in May 1976. Although never officially confirmed, these songs are generally considered as a cooperation with Vangelis, due to the fact that the song ‘Mamma Luna’ is mentioned in a list of Vangelis’ publishing company Spheric B.V. As happened more often with Italian musicians (such as Chrisma and Panda) around that time, Niko Papathanassiou took them to Vangelis’ Nemo Studio in London to record new material, and it is likely this is also happened with I Nuovi Angeli.

Another clue that points to Vangelis is the licencing of the songs to Jam Music, the same company that licenced many other Vangelis compositions during the 1970s. But most convincing of all: just listen to the songs... the sound of the recording breathes Nemo Studios and the electric piano is played in a way that is signature Vangelis!

With ‘Mamma Luna’ the band participated in several music festivals in Italy, such as “Un Disco Per l’ Estate”, “Festivalbar” and “Disco Verde”. During the 1980s the band fell apart, but the only remaining original member Pasquale Canzi continues releasing songs and give concerts as I Nuovi Angeli in varying formations of the band until the 2010s

For the best possible quality, find a copy of the “ Le Piu Belle Canzoni De I Nuovi Angeli” compilation CD that includes both songs.

 

INuoviAngeliFrontTracklist and credits

  • 'Mamma Luna'
     Written by Giovanna Querél, Roberto Vecchioni and Spiros Metaxas.
     
  • 'Teresa La Vispa'
     Written by Giovanna Querél, Mauro Paoluzzi and Pasquale Canzi.

Produced by Niko Papathanassiou.

 

Discography

7” single

CD

 

Recording studio

Although the album nor the 7” single contain any information about the recording studio, these songs are most likely recorded at Nemo Studios in London. Recording engineer would have been Keith Spencer-Allen, Vangelis' sound engineer at the time.

 

Links

INuoviAngeliBackPhoto