A new album, complete with a special documentary and tour, pays tribute to rebetiko music, and brings this extraordinary musical tradition to the Italian public. The album, titled Rebetico Gymnastas, was created by Vinicio Capossela, one of Italy’s most popular cantautori.

It features new tracks, new versions of rebetiko classics, as well as Italian classics reinterpreted in rebetiko keys. For the creation of the album, Capossela has worked with rebetiko experts, including bouzouki virtuoso Manolis Pappos and legendary singer Kaiti Dali.

The album was recorded at the historic Sierra studio in Athens, and was released in Italy and Greece on June 12. Capossela recently participated in a tribute concert to Markos Vamvakaris.

He is currently making a special documentary on Greek history and society through the music of rebetiko, while his Rebetiko Gymnastas tour begins on July 21 and will travel to several countries across Europe and the Mediterranean.