"Tokyo - Free" A reinterpretation of famous songs dedicated to the leader of South Africa by this rock band born in Reggio Emilia in the late '70s.
Tokio have been for years the reference point of the music Reggio scene, developing its own musical style with concerts in many Italian cities. In 1982 they finished fourth at the 2nd edition of the Italian Festival Rock won by Litfiba. Then a momentary melting due to the involvement of some of them in the group of Luciano Ligabue "Clandestino" and other projects of great national interest. In 2014 it came together to create the "Free" project, dedicated to Nelson Mandela.
So Tokio talk about their project:
"When in December 2013 came the news of Nelson Mandela's death we have been deeply affected. We felt a special affinity between us and Mandela, between us and the struggle against apartheid. It was a bond that was born from a distance, since we did our song "Biko" by Peter Gabriel, and we played with joy at the end of our concerts 35 years ago. We never imagined that this hymn to freedom would have pushed us to come together after so many years, to collect and reinterpret some of the most significant songs dedicated to Mandela and other protagonists of the liberation movement in South Africa.
For us, the young musicians of the time, Mandela was the symbol, while he was still in prison, the fight against injustice and racial segregation. Today, after his release, and subsequent events that have transformed the history of South Africa, we can say even more so that remains a symbol, but this time for reconciliation and pacification. We believe that this is the greatness of Mandela, and that freedom is the key word to describe it.
So the idea was born: "Free" is a revisitation of famous songs by various artists dedicated to Mandela and the struggle for liberation in South Africa. We took them to our playing style, also introducing original musical pieces composed by us, and by adding at the end of our personal contribution, a novel titled "The road to freedom". We are proud to have dedicated this commitment to Nelson Mandela: we think that tell through music and songs dedicated to him is the best way to deliver it to the new generations, alive and finally "Free".
Tokio Band are:
Gigi Cavalli Cocchi (batteria, percussioni) - Alberto Bigi (voce, tastiere) -
Cesare Fornaciari (flauto, sax, voce) - Paolo Genta (basso, chitarra 12 corde)
Emanuele Iannuccelli (tastiere) - Franco Schiatti (chitarra)
Track List:
“Free”
Biko (Peter Gabriel)
Ordinary love (U2)
Mandela day (Simple Minds)
Asimbonanga (Johnny Clegg)
The road to freedom (Tokio)
