Hi. We’re old and mannered audiophiles (almost like Statler and Waldorf from „The Muppet Show”) hidden behind young audiophile portal / Internet magazine SoundRebels.com. Of course we’re not so bad, we love music much 
more than our Hi-Fi toys, and thanks Naimlabel.pl courtesy we’ve got great opportunity to ask You a few question. So, lets start.

MO: You’re hailed as the 'Jimi Hendrix of the acoustic guitar’, what is 
very nice, but … You’re still alive. How is to be a living legend?

Antonio Forcione: I would not be so presumptuous as to call myself a living legend but it is very flattering indeed! I am passionate about what I do and the audience pick up on it and respond and journalists write about it! Any association with Jimmy Hendrix is an honour indeed.

JP: My fascination of music and especially the quality of reproduction 
on Hi-Fi systems starts very early, but only fully aware of the approach 
to the subject initiated a meeting with the Naim which not only produces 
Hi-Fi gears, but also makes music releases. Please tell Us about Your 
beginnings with Naim Label. 



AF: Paul Stephenson heard my CD Acoustic Revenge recorded on analogue tape (under the Inspiration Label) and he contacted me (with Julian Vereker) as they were keen to have me on their label. We met and got on very well and so Dedicato was born and many other projects followed from there, including a re-release of Acoustic Revenge.

MO: Since 1993 („Acoustic Revenge”) You’re still recording only for 
Naim, but You played also with Musicians from „majors”. Have You noticed 
any differences between their and Your point of view about final effect? 
I mean, that You’re in very comfortable situation, because You know, 
that „target” of Naim Label is sometimes better „educated” and better 
equipped with Hi-Fi, High-End audio systems than common customer. 



AF: I have produced almost all of my own work even when I have major artists guesting on my albums. I am very particular about sound quality and Naim have respected my way of making music and provided me with the sound quality that I aspire to.

JP: What about the repertoire arrangements, do You have a free hand, or 
however it’s a compromise between Your artistic vision and commercial 
Naim Label point of view? 



AF: Naim have been great in that they have given me mostly a free hand and understood that my artistic integrity is important to me, and they have consequently worked closely with me. I would not have recorded with a label that would not give me a free artistic hand. I think that after the first album, Dedicato, sold so well, Naim trusted me enough and a great relationship ensued.

JP: Following your discography, can be seen extend a helping hand to 
young artists, like on „Meet Me in London” with Sabina Sciubba and also 
easy and natural collaboration with big stars like Charlie Haden on 
„Heartplay”. Could You tell Us something about technical aspects of such 
projects, are there any differences between finding the way of artistic 
agreement – feeling? 



AF: Obviously there is already an affinity between the artists when they chose to work together so I suggested Sabina Sciubba to Naim carefully, as a great artist and a great person. And Charlie Haden was an artist I have always respected so when Naim’s American distributor, Ken Christianson, suggested putting us together I was very honoured.

JP: Because of Soundrebels.com profile we’re trying to promote high 
quality recordings, so we want to ask You about Your impact on final 
versions of Your albums. It means, that people responsible for recording 
and mastering have the knowledge and consciousness to show all emotions 
and nuances which You’re trying to give Your listeners?  Have You to 
show them these details, or one look through studio glass is enough?

AF: To be honest, I have a strong vision before recording my tunes so I know what I want and I work very closely with the sound engineers to achieve my vision. I drive them mad sometimes!!

JP: Previous question was about Your studio recordings, but I think that 
Your best album released with Naim Label ever was – „Antonio Forcione 
Quartet In Concert”. Please describe in few words the process which 
prelude this session.

AF: The 'Antonio Forcione Quartet in Concert’ album was recorded (and filmed) live, not in a studio! The sound engineer was the much respected Martin Levan, and it was recorded at the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. I am glad you enjoyed it, we all worked hard.

MO: Ok. So, have You see any differences between „normal” and 
”audiophile” audience? For example what type of feedback is on Edinburgh 
Festival and on small, short hotel lives during Audio Shows (You were on 
Warsaw Audio Show 2011). You know, music lovers expect passion, emotions 
and direct contact with performer, but some part of audiophiles expect 
nuanses, microdetails which they remember and very well know from Your 
CD/LP releases. They look at You through the lens of theirs habits.

AF: I care about the excitement of a live performance as much as I do about the intensity and details of a studio recording. I just hope my audiences wear good lenses on their ears and on their hearts too!

MO: If We’re talking about sound it’s good moment to mention about Your 
guitar, inspired by Oud (OudAn). It’s Your project, professional, custom 
handwork with very characteristic sound. Are You happy with the effect, 
or You still searching, looking for new sounds, inspirations – like The 
Beatles fascination of sitar sound.

AF: I am always looking for new sounds and I feel lucky because during my travels as I work I get to hear and to get close to other cultures and their instruments which I would otherwise never have known existed. I mostly perform on Yamaha guitars but the Uddan is a particular, custom-made guitar which I designed because I am fascinated by middle eastern sounds. As I am very particular about my sounds, I am currently designing a custom 'signature’ pre-amp valve for acoustic guitars with a company called ACUS.

JP: You should know, that I’m a big fan of Your music, but I’ve got only 
one album on CD („Meet Me in London”). As an orthodox vinyl believer I’m 
trying to buy only LPs, not CDs. Decisions about available formats of 
Your albums depends on You, or publisher?

AF: Meet me in London was remixed into a first Super Hi Def 24bit 192kHz download and remastered at 192kHz. The sound is amazing and I highly recommend it.

JP: So, if We’re start talking about vinyl. What is Your opinion about 
nowadays available audio formats. We’ve got CD, LPs, (shitty) mp3, 
lossless and high resolution files. What You prefer personally, which 
format is closest to Your heart?

AF: For me the best sound is undoubtedly on vinyl which I love. Unfortunately because of my line of work I don’t have a lot of time to relax at home so I tend to listen to WAV format on my computer as I travel a lot and I cannot take my vinyls with me! Downloading on 192kHz is a good solution if you have enough memory :)

MO: Many musicians thought, that They don’t need any good Hi-Fi to feel 
the power of music, and feel the pleasure during the listening, because 
they know what is in score. What is Your opinion about it, and if it 
isn’t a secret what is Your present Hi-Fi system? 



AF: I own a Naim hi-fi system and since then music has a different meaning for me.

MO: After „Sketches of Africa” You’re talking a lot about Your Africa’s 
inspirations, about Your own tribute to Nelson Mandela. But what You 
think about future now, after His death ….What’s about his legacy? 
Have You got some reflections? 



AF: Mandela definitely left a legacy and all we can do is hope that this legacy will continue to affect the politics of the area and inspire people to do good and solve their conflicts. I have my fears but I think if we even spread a percentage of that good that Mandela left to us that would be a good inspiration to future generations.

JP: And for the end We’ve got small anecdote. Several times, during 
Warsaw Audio Shows Polish Linn dealer (as we know Linn and Naim aren’t 
big friends ;- ) borrow my LP , Antonio Forcione Quartet in Concert” 
(Naim Label) because of virtuosity and first two track were played very, 
very often. So now they are almost unusable, but this sacrifice is worth 
to reduce bad fluids between two audio competitors. This is great exaple 
that the music (Your music) tenders custom ;-) 

Thank You very much for interview, and we hope see You soon in Poland. 
Best regards. 
Soundrebels crew.

AF: What a lovely story. I am proud to feel that my music can bring people together! Thank you for that. I hope to come back to Poland again soon and meet you personally.

JP – Jacek Pazio
MO – Marcin Olszewski