Dionysian Stream 04:21
140 plays
Genre: Fusion
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From the album Orbis Terrarum
The ancient Greeks spoke of two spiritual streams to which people could belong: the Apollonian and the Dionysian. Apollo embodied the principles of reason, harmony, and order in the Universe, while Dionysus represented passion, rebellion, and chaos. Through the ages, music has been considered the most Dionysian of all art forms, as it appeals directly to humanity's instincts and emotions more than their logic and reason. However, were it not for the opposite Apollonian characters of form, structure, beauty, and individuality, music would have much less variety and would not be as enjoyable to listen to.

This composition is a study in tension and dialogue between structure & order and impulse & passion, with an obvious
emphasis on the latter two. It is centered around a call-and-response solo section between synthesizer and electric guitar, backed by bass guitar and various percussion instruments from around the world - mostly African "talking" drums (adondo, atumpan, dondo, gan gan) and timbales (Cuban kettle drums/timpani), with the latter also performing tradeoff solos throughout the recap of the main section. It features my Electrum bandmate, guitarist Dave Kulju. Credits: Gino Foti - Bass guitar, Keyboards, Loops and Samples; Dave Kulju - Electric guitar
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Kujichagulia 04:05
106 plays
Genre: Fusion
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From the album Orbis Terrarum
The title is taken from the second day of Kwanzaa, and means "self-determination" - one of the Seven Principles
(Ngozo Saba). The associated pledge is for individuals to define, name, create, and speak for themselves - instead of being defined or being spoken for by others. The idea is to design a positive future and then vow to make that prophecy a self-fulfilling one.

In this arrangement, fretless bass guitar plays rhythm, lead, and melodic themes over African drums (talking and stick) and vocal phrases, xylophone, berimbau (musical bow of African origin), kalele drones (steel drums), as well as added synth beds.
Credits: Gino Foti - Fretless bass guitar, Synthesizers, Loops and Samples
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Degrees Of Force 05:05
117 plays
Genre: Fusion
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From the album Sphere Of Influence
This composition features individual piano and fretless bass guitar solos, as well as a call-and-response section between the two, in the Spanish Phrygian (or Phrygian Dominant) scale, over a bed of rhythm guitars and Latin jazz-styled congas, bongos, and hi-hat cymbals. This arrangement showcases keyboardist Chris Rossi. Credits: Gino Foti - Bass guitars, Loops and Samples; Chris Rossi - Piano
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Dancing On The Edge Of A Dream 04:39
110 plays
Genre: Fusion
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From the album Sphere Of Influence
Bass guitar is joined by two classical guitars and several Latin percussion instruments playing different Bossa feels. Credits: Gino Foti - Bass guitars, Loops and Samples
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Salayatana 04:29
114 plays
Genre: Ethnic
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From the album Bhavachakra
(NB: for a large image of the Wheel Of Life, please open THIS LINK on a separate browser window.)

Salayatana is one of the Links of Dependent Origination (or Paticca Samuppada) in the Buddhist Wheel Of Life (Bhavachakra), depicted as a house with six windows symbolizing the Six Senses (Buddhism regards the Mind as a sense sphere) which let in all our impressions of the world, just like windows let sunlight enter into a house.

This composition is centered around sitar and flute solos accompanied by tabla set, rhythm guitar, synth bed, and female voice. Credits: Gino Foti - MIDI Bass guitar, Synthesizers, Loops and Samples
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Brahmananda Valli - Part I 05:04
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Genre: Ethnic
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From the album Vedic Mantras
Inspired by several "East meets West" jazz-rock artists that incorporate Indian culture, I chose to combine traditional Vedic mantras with modern instrumentation for my next project.

The focus of this release is the Taittiriya Upanishad, one of the most important writings of ancient Indian thought. It presents a positive, world-affirming philosophy and is best known for its concept of the five selves (or five sheaths).

This composition is the first part of the middle section. It blends a jazz fusion-styled power trio with traditional instruments, both accompanying the mantras. Credits: Gino Foti - MIDI Bass guitar, Keyboards, Loops and Samples; Sri Sastry - Vedic chanting
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