MICHALIS KOUMBIOS
Haris Katsimichas, Maria Spyropoulou, Gerasimos Andreatos and Alkinoos Ioannidis – acts with sturdy local followings in their respective fields – passed through the studio for contributions to a new album by songwriter Michalis Koumbios. The overall effort has rendered an interesting album that covers a wide range of styles. To his credit, Koumbios, whose activity in recent years has focused on the ethnic domain, harmonically blends echoes of the sounds hailing from his youth. Elements of traditional village-festival music, ethno-punk, as well as one of the songwriter’s more recent urge to experiment with lounge, are all inherent in «Edo meno» (I’m Staying Here). The arrangements, played by musicians such as clarinetist Manos Achalinotopoulos and guitarist Antonis Mitzelos, confirm the pre-emptive feeling that this album steers well clear of prevailing musical aesthetics in the local pop market.
