The Rhythm Of Life rose from the ashes of what appeared to be a very unfortunate start to my 2015 US tour. My vehicle was robbed in Texas and most of my worldly possessions were taken; which included my video cameras, recording gear, laptops, sound-system, various musical instruments, clothes, wallet, passport…and boxes containing a couple thousand copies of my solo CD, entitled "Rise". Fortunately, the primary instruments that I play were safe where I was staying for the night. I remember sliding open the side door of my van and after the initial shock a voice shot through me that that said, “this can either empower you or embitter you…make that choice now”. I didn’t know how it could “empower” me, but after making that choice things started to fall into place with minimal struggle. Most importantly I was able to continue my tour and due to the grace of family and fortitude I replaced and upgraded those items that were absolutely necessary, determined as I was to make the best out of this situation and start anew. I considered re-ordering the Rise CD and having it shipped to me somewhere down the road. Then an idea came to mind...why not also upgrade the Rise CD and create something fresh out of it? This felt empowering to me. From that decision came "The Rhythm Of Life", which contains most of the songs from Rise with a couple surprise pieces added. The foundation is still paved with the spectacular hand-crafted instruments from PANArt in Switzerland (the Hang, Gubal and Gudu) but the groove and harmonic structure is much more elaborate and vibrant. The Rhythm Of Life features some of my San Francisco-based Venusian bandmates (listed below) as well as some wonderful backing female vocals to compliment my own. I spent most of 2016 grounded in the Bay Area recording, producing, arranging and performing the songs of The Rhythm Of Life. I hope it will be considered an “upgrade” from Rise, taken from me in the wilds of Texas…perhaps for reasons beyond my choice of “empowerment” over “embitterment”. We shall see. The Songs: 1. A Place To Breathe…an introspective tune inspired by the name of a venue that I played, followed by an experience in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia that involved a bear. When everything seems to matter, nothing matters more than finding peace. 2. Afraid…a dreamy, sensuous musical journey into the darker realms..."hold my shaky heart when I'm afraid" is the mantra throughout. 3. Door Of The Heart…pulsing and percolating rhythms and harmonies. Life ceases to be a battlefield when the heart is open to love. 4. The Rhythm Of Life…the lively title track, ”we are all in this together…the rhythm of life”. What more needs to be said? 5. Rise…a lush ballad and the title track of that fateful CD that was stolen. I originally wrote Rise as both a personal catharsis and to commemorate the passing of my wife in 2008. I later came to realize that this song is for everyone. No one escapes the cycle of life and death. Rise to the Mystery...love will carry you home. 6. The All…a cool, Brazilian feel that poetically points to the idea that polar opposites exist in every facet of life, but within the depths of the heart, there is no separation…it is All. 7. Loosen The Grip…a flowing, country feel that calls to Love to "loosen the grip” that obstructs joy from life. 8. Desert Dreams…a musically haunting spoken-word journey through the deserts of the Southwest and the mysteries that they hold. I wrote this while touring through Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and the Mojave of California. 9. Lean On Me…the very first cover tune I’ve ever recorded, this rendition of the Bill Wither’s classic is also the simplest arrangement on the album, featuring a lush layering of vocal harmonies supported by a solo Hang track. 10. Breathe Reprise…an instrumental and musically introspective “remix” of A Place To Breathe that I put together to end the album and merge it with the beginning. The Players: Matt Venuti…Vocals, Hang, Gubal, Hang Gudu, Keyboards, Electronic Valve Instrument, Percussion and Basslines Robert M. Powell…Pedal Steel and various Guitars Celso Alberti…Drums and Percussion Daniel Berkman…Kora, Cello and Guitalele John Steiner…Keyboards Peck Allmond…Trumpet With Supporting vocals by: Lucia Lilikoi Lakshmi Devi Rose Armin Hoiland Nicolia Gooding Deborah Winters Kendra Faye Jennifer Tait Hallie McConlogue Recorded by Matt, Robert Powell and Celso Alberti at Venus Central in Larkspur, The Underbelly in Fairfax and CA Studios in Oakland. Final mix with Celso Alberti at CA Studios except “Afraid” and “Desert Dreams” with Robert M. Powell at The Underbelly in Fairfax. Mastered by Gary Hobish at A. Hammer Mastering in San Francisco CD Photos taken by Celso Alberti CD Design by Jan Salerno Many thanks to the following: My brother Mark Venuti, Yair and Ayelet Ben-Shlomo, Jon, Jacob, Ella and Lucy Zimmerman, Johannah and Mario Dottori, Celso Alberti, Robert M. Powell and all the talented artists who joined me on this adventure. The musical foundation of these songs were made playing the Hang, Gubal, and Gudu; contemporary instruments from Berne, Switzerland. Respect and gratitude to Felix, Sabina and the PANArt family for creating these extraordinary sound-sculptures. Dedicated to the loving memory of cousin John and Frances Coppola