Michéal Castaldo has released his next Italian digi single, “Africa,” which is part of his new CD “Cinecitta Canta,” marking the 35th anniversary of 1982 hit by the band Toto. The song originally rose to the top of the charts and now has been recorded and performed by Castaldo in Italian. Castaldo wrote the Italian lyrics and co-produced this single with Norwegian composer/producer, Stein Berge Svendsen, who co-produced many of Castaldo’s singles, including “Il Mio Cuore Va,” “Pray’r,” “Take My Breath Away” and “Amo L’America.” The music for “Africa” was originally written by David Paich and Jeff Porcaro.
Castaldo, an Italian tenor, producer and songwriter honoring this famous song because of the connection between the band, Toto and the incredible music it has released over the years. The band consisted of several top LA session musicians, three of whom were Italian American brothers (Jeff, Steve and Mike Porcaro). In 2012, the UK’s NME (New Music Express Magazine) named “Africa” one of the top 50 songs of all time with an explosive chorus. Michéal’s rendition features Jason Bonham (son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer) and was recorded in seven different countries. (Italy, Poland, UK, Norway, South Africa, Canada and USA). Additionally Michéal and his wife Bozena danced the first dance at their NYC wedding in 2003 to “Africa.”
Castaldo’s title for his CD “Cinecitta Canta,” (Cinema City) refers to the Eternal City of Rome, where some of the most memorable movies have been made by directors and producers such as Federico Fellini, Dino De Laurentis, Franco Zeffirelli and Carlo Ponti. American films, such as Ben Hur, The Passion of the Christ and Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York, were filmed in Rome as well.
The digital single is available via streaming only on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Amazon Prime, Youtube and other digital music streaming websites everywhere.
Castaldo is an award-winning Italian tenor whose rich operatic voice, strong but soft, is perfect in pitch and tempo and always on key. Castaldo studied music at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and has toured North America and Europe, including performances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Rainbow Room, Shea Stadium, Toronto’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Italy’s Teatro F. Cilea and the Pescara Opera House. His passionate performances consistently thrill audiences with sweeping romanticism.
For more information about Michéal Castaldo, visit www.michealCastaldo.com
