The CD VEDUTI is a compilation of songs, in Maltese by Maltese artists, writers and composers living in Australia. It is also a reflection of the sort of music, which the Maltese migrant brought with him to this country.
The nature of the name itself, Veduti (Views) is born of the different approaches to musical composition, lyrics, arrangements and interpretation by the participants who themselves are Maltese or of Maltese descent.
As has happened with the Maltese language in this country, the work contains a frozen element, a remnant of that music which was popular before some of the contributors emigrated. Here the Latin and Continental vein is strong at times, as is the traditional feel contained in some of the songs. Generally however, this is a work that shows were these artists have arrived in their journey.

The songs are composed by three musicians who hailed from different eras, namely Laurie Bugeja, Laurie Armato and Manuel Casha and one by Vanni Armato.

LAURIE BUGEJA who has experienced those heady days of the post war show-bands at Piazza Regina in the fifties and sixties, is known to have rubbed shoulders with the likes of Vinnie and his Orchestra, Oscar Lucas and those other legendary bands that provided that special atmosphere at Valletta, at the Premiere, in bygone days.
Bugeja who built another musical career since arriving in Australia in the fifties, is still teaching music and has never stopped writing and arranging music. He has released his own recordings and has produced work for other artists such as Alfredo Spiteri, Laurie Armato, Lydia Gusman and has written many songs for local singers and Brass bands.
For many years Laurie worked with dance bands and orchestras and built a name in both the Maltese and the other ethnic scenes. He was involved in producing the musical backing in the early Maltese shows in the fifties and sixties in local Town Halls.

LAURIE ARMATO is another part of this triumvirate. He is fine mandolinist who has contributed many songs for Maltese singers and has participated in many song festivals. While he has not acquired music qualification in the academic sense, he has proved himself as an able mandolinist and composer of popular songs.
His influences are more continental in style and he also goes back to the Premiere days in the fifties. He is an ardent follower of opera and classical music as well as brass bands.
Laurie comes from an artistic family and both his late brothers Vanni and Baldass, were well known in the literary circles, are featured in this CD.
Armato is first Album "Daqq bil-Mandolina" was very popular and is still played on Maltese Programmes, in fact some of the tunes have been adopted as signature tunes.

Finally MANUEL CASHA comes from a popular music background and came up through the Melbourne Rock and Pop scenes of the late sixties where he worked for over 25 years. While the musical experience he acquired was more in the Australian music scene, he has written many songs for Maltese singers, both in the popular vein and for the theatre.
His work in the Maltese Traditional music is evident in this CD. It seems he has taken the opportunity to arrange some of the old folkloric themes into the popular mode, using a contemporary style in his arrangements.

The singers in this collection also come from a cross-section of eras, as well as the lyricists. While some are seasoned performers, others were born in Australia. All the performers have made a name in the Maltese Community, while others have also ventured outside in the pursuit of their art.
This group contains popular singers. Folklore singers, poets, writers, dramatic and comedic actors and seasoned songwriters.
Veduti is a collection on CD that should reach a wide spectrum of Maltese for different reasons, some nostalgic, some romantic, some topical, others humorous. Whatever the reason, it is good to see Maltese music alive in Australia as we enter the new millennium.

A special thanks goes to Charles Belli of Recreation Studio. Charles's role was on the techinical and marketing side, but his great belief and confidence in the project helped make Veduti a success. Charles does a lot of audio and graphic work in the Maltese community in Melbourne. He is also the contact point for the popular programme on SuperOne Radio in Malta, called Sentimentali Ghalik presented by Roderick Galdez for Maltese living away from Malta. His contribution in the show involves recording interviews, greetings and messages which are broadcast on the programme. He is also a news provider for the John J Cassar's popular website, allmalta.net which is situated in Scotland.

The analogue recording and mixing of Veduti was done by Laurie Bugeja at his home studio and by Manuel Casha at his studio. After the respective tracks were recorded mixed and mastered, they were passed on to Recreation Studios for digital audio mastering, track setting and final graphic design. All the artwork was the concept of Charles Belli. Veduti CD album number 004 was produced by Charlie Belli at Recreation Studios.

by Manuel Casha