La Terra ("The Earth") is the second studio album by Italian world music pioneers Aktuala. It was released on Bla Bla records in 1974. The cover features a medieval map of the world as it was known surrounded by the "world ocean". There are fewer, longer pieces than on the first record and they feature extended jams. Maioli writes that it was representative of the music played by the core group of Maioli, Cavallanti and Cerantola for two years;Walter Maioli's page about Aktuala featuring La Terra rehearsing and jamming in restaurants and psych wards until they got the perfect sound, and that it features the influences but not the performances of many of the other musicians who performed with them over that time.1991 italian CD reissue notes It is the first recording of master world percussionist Trilok Gurtu, who had to leave Italy shortly after the recording because of work visa expiry.
Track listing "Mina" "Mud" "Sar" "La terra"
Musicians Walter Maioli: Arabic oboe, wooden flute, naj, bass flute, maranzano, bass harmonica, reeds, whistles, bells Daniele Cavallanti: soprano saxophone Antonio Cerantola: acoustic guitar, balalaika Otto Corrado: soprano saxophone, flute, bells Attilio Zanchi: acoustic guitar Marjon Klok: harp, tamboura, bells Trilok Gurtu: tabla, snake drums, Moroccan bongos, cymbals, xylophone, cow bells With guests Marino Vismara: cello solo on "Mud" Maurizio Dones: viola solo on "Sar"
References
External links Page at italianprog.com Walter Maioli's page about Aktuala featuring La Terra Prog archives page with reviews and album art