It has been well documented, if you've been reading this site for a while, that I consider Louis Schefano to be the world's greatest living songwriter. As Regia (pronounced REE-juh), Louis released one of the 1990s' strongest albums, The Art of Navigation, which you can track down here here if you don't own it already. Everyone I know who has heard this record continues to listen to it to this day. Louis writes timeless lyrics and melodies that are at once familiar and distinct. There's a maturity and emotion to his musical expression that launches him past most indie (and major label) artists and stands him firmly alongside the all-time greats.

Over the past several years, Louis abandoned the name Regia to release music under his own name (visit his current MySpace page here) but I am thrilled to report that he has decided to once again call himself Regia!

To make the situation more exciting, I'm even more thrilled to report that I've heard two new tracks off the upcoming Regia record and they are absolutely fucking phenomenal. It's only February, and while I've only heard two songs, I'm still ready to call the new Regia record my favorite release of 2008.

You can think that I'm just saying this stuff because of my heavy baggage, but I am confident that any true music fan will acknowledge and appreciate just how special Louis Schefano is when the new Regia record finally drops. I hope it happens sooner than later, and you will know if and when any music becomes available for public consumption, but for now click on the above link to his MySpace page to listen to a sampling of that musical greatness.