Datura
Datura
Datura is a magical plant which grows in the hills of North Mexico and the Yaqui shaman use these plants for their rituals to get close to knowledge.
From this plant Ciro Pagano, Stefano Mazzavillani, d.j. Ricci and d.j. Cirillo take the name for the group.
They are captured by the mystery, by the religions and by all the processes of knowledge that go beyond the scientific reason.
Datura try to get close and to explore these parallel and under worlds which fill up their minds.
In October 1991 their first single NU STYLE is released by the Datura label Trance Records on Irma Records company: the voice of a shaman announce the universe where Datura are getting towards. The track gets several good critics and enters the dance charts.
The big success arrives in august 1992 with the track YERBA DEL DIABLO which reaches the top of the charts and at the end of the year they win their first golden record (100.000 copies sold).
In spring 1993 they produce a new track DEVOTION which reaches the top ten position in the sales chart. After Devotion sung by Billie Ray Martin it starts a cooperation with her who sings for other two tracks included in the Datura album called ETERNITY like the single previously released which reached the first position in the official sales chart in Italy.
Abroad Datura starts consolidating their name and are recognised as a cult band thanks to the success of Yerba del diablo and in winter 1994 the release of the track FADE TO GREY featuring Steve Strange confirms the internationality of the group musically speaking.
Another new single THE 7th HALLUCINATION has been released in spring 1994 and contains a comics strip where a mystic dr. Datura is engaged in fighting with the 7 mental hallucinations.
After summer 1994 they release a single including the tracks EL SUENO (REMIX) and THE 7th HALLUCINATION (REMIX) live performed.
in may 1995 Datura produce a track together with the successful group U.s.u.r.a. giving life to INFINITY which becomes one of the most sold and danced track of the summer.
Meanwhile Datura decide to change the recording company and at the end of 1995 they sign with Time Records with which they release the new single ANGELI DOMINI, a song with a religious style chorus.
It enters the chart together with the remix of an old track of them coming from the album Eternity: MYSTIC MOTION sung by the great Billy Ray Martin.
After a very successful winter at the top of the charts with two tracks, Datura released a brand new album which was preceded by the release of the single MANTRA a massive summer hit which also entered in the Italian top ten.
Autumn 1996 sees the release of their brand new single that marks the start of an important change in their artistic career. in fact the single VOO-DOO BELIEVE? sees their change in sound with the production of an authentic “pop dance” song with Danny ex vocalist of Double D. the track has had very good reception both in Italy and more importantly the rest of Europe which is what Ciro Pagano and Stefano Mazzavillani better known as Datura are aiming for.
THE SIGN is the smash hit of this summer 1997 following once again the pop dance style which gets good reactions from everywhere.
In autumn 1997 another remix of an old track sung by Billy Ray Martin that enters the Italian charts: PASSION.
In summer 1998 Datura back again with another pop dance track called I WILL PRAY that has been air played by all the major radio networks and has reached the top of the Italian selling chart in a few weeks after its released!!!
January 1999: the latest year of the millennium has started with a great cooperation of the new single by Datura: is going to be released with their new production entitled I LOVE TO DANCE performed by Ben Volpelier Pierrot lead-vocal from Curiosity Killed the Cat.
Datura and Time records staff and decided to complete this production commissioning the remix to d.j. Dado Team, and “I love to dance” is worldwide appreciated.
March 2000: Datura produces the Stefano Mazzavillani side-project Unabomber with the club smash hit single 6ETERO 6GAY, released by the label Dance Pollution from The Saifam Group records company. At the same time, The Saifam Group, by the will of its general manager Mauro Farina, acquires from Irma records the earlier Datura catalogue (from “Nu Style” to “Infinity”) to produce remixes of the Datura club classics.
January 2001: Datura releases on the label Saifam Classics the 1st remix YERBA DEL DIABLO PART III (REMIX) that includes remixes by Datura, d.j. Gius, d.j. Cirillo and the original 1992 version. The Saifam group licenses the single all over the world re-giving life to an unforgettable track of the ’90 club culture, and “Yerba Del Diablo Part III (Remix)” is appreciated everywhere for its powerful, mysterious and fascinating sound.
February 2001: SIMPLE TEXT, the 2nd Unabomber single is released on the label Houzy from The Saifam group, and also this second soloist Stefano Mazzavillani experience becomes a floor filler.
January 2002: the unmistakeable sound which distinguish Datura take us to an atmosphere which reminds of ancient times and takes its starting point from the Mexican tablelands. kin, the basic unit of time of the Maya, means "sun", "time" "day" and WILL BE ONE contains all these meanings.
A long countdown brings us towards the end of our age, with the sun at the end of its millennial cycle and to keep on shining needs the sacrifice of the gods: the supreme sacrifice will generate new gods. Datura are always original and updated and with "Will Be One" they reconfirm their style and tendency in the worldwide dance-music scene.
March 2002: the anthem is the biggest floor filler of the period and since a month Datura are #1 in all the Italian radio charts: actually the title Will be one was already a destiny’s sign...
November 2002: S.a.i.f.a.m releases the 2nd remix of a great Datura club-classic track: EL SUENO (REMIX). The single includes two brand new versions: the former is a strong techno remix by the well-known d.j Tony-H from R.i.n. (Radio Italia Network), and the latter by the S.a.i.f.a.m. team, that in 2000 remixed the international big hit ‘Kernkraft 400’ by Zombie Nation. This one is very powerful and impressive and nearly similar to the original 1994 version style. Just listen to understand and dance: Datura altera los hombres!
March 2003: a new project is ready. ANOTHER WORLD of the State Of The Heart is available on the Noise Maker the personal label company of the dj-producer Gigi d’Agostino
March 2003: Datura produces LA TROMPETA a house track of a project called Alma. The track become a smash hits in few weeks in Italy, Spain and more European charts.
November 2003: It’s available the new versions of Unabomber 6ETERO 6GAY (REMIX 2003). The song is on the palylists of more European country like Italy, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Ceca Republic.
March 2004: a new Datura production start and go on the italian and european radio charts. The name of this song is TELL ME from another italian project the April Shower inspired from the name of the popular drink cocktail.
September 2004: before the official exit the new Datura single SUMMER OF ENERGY was already in all the italian radio charts. This song, produced with Gigi D’Agostino, reac on the top of italian and european sale charts and in Italy remain nr 1 of mix sale charts for three weeks.
March 2005: new exit of NU STYLE, the first Datura single of 1991. The song is remixed by an italian dj team.
September 2005: another remix of Datura classic. This time the song is INFINITY a classic hit of 1995 written and produced with U.S.U.R.A. The remix of Infinity is produced by a SAIFAM Group Team.
May 2006: a remix of FADE TO GREY is realised by the Saifam Group. The remix is made with the original voice of Steve Strange the same of the Datura original mix and the same of the original eighties Visage.
In the beginning of 2006 Datura starts with a new project: PEZZI DA 90. "PEZZI DA 90" is a remake of the the 90’s parties with the sound and the artists of that period. Datura in console mixes the hits of the nineties with all their artists friends that make live performance in a one special night named "PEZZI DA 90".
October 2006: it’s available the first compilation "PEZZI DA 90": made in Italy”. The compilation, in double cd, contains the original smash hits of the best italian producers and artists selected by Datura.
December 2006: Datura start with a new tour named “PEZZI DA 90” with live performances and their dj set all around the clubs.
February 2007: "PEZZI DA 90" becomes a television program guest on Enjoy Television. In this program Datura talk about music, history, artists, djs and more of nineties with interview and memories of that golden decade.
And the story to be continued…