LA CODA DELLA TIGRE

Prima Materia was a vocal improvisation ensemble, founded by Roberto Laneri in 1973. Composed entirely of vocalists with no academic training, the group developed various techniquesurevolving mostly around the use of overtonesuthat would embody their unique sound. No instruments nor electronic manipulations were ever employed within the groupAEs physiognomy, which was realized purely through the human voice. La Coda Della Tigre, the groupAEs sole album, was recorded in 1977 by Alvin Curran and released on Ananda, an artist-run label founded by Laneri, Curran and Giacinto Scelsi. As the original liner notes state, oThe music of Prima Materia may sound radically new, yet at the same time it is likely to ring some distant bell and evoke ancient emotions. This is not due to chance: indeed, the very name of the group points to a specific path, namely, the unfolding of the potential implicit in the alchemical symbol as embodying a process of transmutation of consciousness.'