Lebanese DJ and musician Rabih Beaini first formed Upperground Orchestra in Venice in 2001. Since its inception the line-up of the group has been in flux – its current formation consisting of Tommaso Cappellato and Daniele De Santis on drums, Piero Bittolo Bon on woodwind and electronics, Alvise Seggi playing bass and oud and Beaini himself exploring various electroacoustic options.

Commissioned by FAI and Threes Production, it’s called Euganea, and the music is the result of a residency at Villa dei Vescovi in the Euganea hills of Veneto. “The intention,” says Beaini, “was to record an album inspired by the music of the Venetian area in the spirit and sound of The Upperground Orchestra. Euganea is a pure fusion album that incorporates electroacoustic practices and live effects, hand built guitar instruments and new feedback techniques using the saxophone.”

Euganea is Upperground Orchestra’s third album in 18 years. It’s released by Beaini’s own imprint Morphine Records on 7 October.