Enten Hitti – Mistiche Ribelli (Lizard Records, 2025)
Mistiche Ribelli (mystic rebels) is the latest musical project from Pierangelo Pandiscia and Gino Ape, performed by the ensemble Enten Hitti.
This beautiful, deeply mesmerizing, meditative recording combines original and ancient texts, drawing from Sufi, Tibetan, Christian, Occitan, and Essene mystical traditions. It explores spiritual inquiry while at the same time brings forward a quiet form of rebellion, seeking the sacred dimension within each individual, beyond religious boundaries. As a consequence, it addresses the struggle with inner darkness while affirming that “In the beginning, there was joy.”
The ensemble uses modal, cyclical composition, incorporating a captivating mix of accessible minimalism, sacred, chamber music, ambient electronic, and world music. The ensemble uses spellbinding vocals, spoken word, choruses, and whispers in combination with a wide range of musical instruments from various cultures.
Founded in 1996 by Pierangelo Pandiscia and Gino Ape, Enten Hitti operates as an open research collective focused on sound experimentation and ritualistic performance. Their work is rooted in experiences with sacred and healing rituals across North Africa, India, Mongolia, and Turkey. They have collaborated with institutions such as the Centro Camuno di Studi Preistorici, Gnawa brotherhoods of Marrakesh, dervishes of Western Sahara, the International Center of Anthropology in Ulan Bator, Odin Teatret, Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski, and Peter Brook’s initiatives.
Enten Hitti’s music is charcaterized by evocative, hypnotic music, and grounded in natural and archaic sounds. Their goal is to create immersive, brain-stimulating experiences. Their performances range from labyrinth installations and sound sculptures to video art and “sleeping concerts” from midnight to dawn.
Prior to Mistiche Ribelli, the ensemble released six albums distributed internationally by labels such as Universal/Polygram, Projekt, Hic Sunt Leones, Lizard Records, ADN, and Seahorse Recordings. Additionally, they have contributed to over fifteen international compilations and solo projects.
Enten Hitti’s creative output also spans video art, sound poetry books, radio soundtracks (RAI Radio 2 and RAI Radio 3), film scores, and stage and dance collaborations. Their work is documented in publications like The Voice in Movement, Italian Performance Art, and Solchi Sperimentali Italia.
Their collaborations include notable figures such as Franco Battiato, Juri Camisasca, Riccardo Sinigaglia, Eraldo Bernocchi, Sainkho Namtchylak, Rino Stefano Tagliafierro, and Karmachina.
Traditional Texts used in include the works of Jalal ad-Din Rumi, Heart Sutra Mantras, Navajo night chant,
anonymous Occitan texts, Essene texts from the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the writings of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Musicians: Gino Ape on oboe, flutes, xylophone, piano, santur, vocals; Pierangelo Pandiscia on lute, gong, conch shell trumpet, bowed psaltery, percussion; Giampaolo Verga on violin; Carmen D’Onofrio on vocals; Jos Olivini on accordion, hulusi, piano, Celtic harp, table tubes
Guest Musicians on Gianfranca d’Adda and Vicky Ferrara on percussion on L’uomo di Dio and Carne della stessa carne; Nicolò Pandiscia on percussion on L’uomo di Dio; Vincenzo Zitello on viola and cello on Carne della stessa carne and Our Needs of Consolation; Dorothy Moskowitz Falaski on vocals on Our Needs of Consolation; Tito Rinesi on vocals on Carne della stessa carne; Theo Allegretti on piano on Evren Mantra; Iaria Drago on narration on Oreade and Mantra delle Onde; Samantha Cinquini, narration on Mantra delle Ombre.
Recorded at Hitti House between May 2023 and October 2024. Mixed and mastered by Alberto Callegari at Elfo Studio in December 2024.
Buy Mistiche Ribelli .
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.