Following the positive response which New Cuorey’s compilation CD album, Il-Bajja tal-Mellieħa, received back in 1997, a new album featuring instrumental interpretations of the Mellieħa band’s timeless music has just been released.

The album, New Cuorey Instrumentals, features the band’s best-known songs and was recorded by guitarist Joe Grech, who, along with vocalist Sammy Bartolo, was one of the founding members of New Cuorey.

“I’ve always wanted to record instrumental versions of the band’s music, which has always been close to my heart,” Grech said about the new album.

Of the album’s 17 tracks – almost all of which are considered to be ‘evergreens’ of the Maltese music scene – 10 were written by Grech, among them Vietnam, Id-Dgħajsa tal-Latini and Ir-Raħal, the latter two also featuring new arrangements written by Grech himself.

The tracklisting also includes the song Leħen f’Tarf il-Wied, which Grech had composed in memory of his close friend Bartolo on the same day the ex-New Cuorey vocalist passed away back in 1997.

A separate project involving New Cuorey’s music is underway. The cinematic musical production Imħabba fuq l-Għolja is based around the Mellieħa band’s music and was originally performed as a one-off live event around a year ago.

The album New Cuorey Instrumentals is available from Anthony D’Amto (Valletta) or directly from Grech (e-mail: joealice258@gmail.com / 9983 8477).