Lavrentis Machairitsas - Rikse Kokkino Sti Nihta (1993) | Album Review, Fun Facts & Trivia

Lavrentis Machairitsas - Rikse Kokkino Sti Nyhta (1993)

Λαυρέντης Μαχαιρίτσας – Ρίξε Κόκκινο στη Νύχτα (1993)

Released in 1993, Ρίξε Κόκκινο στη Νύχτα (Rixe Kokkino sti Nihta) is a studio album by Λαυρέντης Μαχαιρίτσας (Lavrentis Machairitsas), representing a key phase in his solo career after earlier successes like Didymoteicho Blues (1991). The record blends Greek rock with blues, pop, and folk elements, featuring collaborations with notable Greek artists and showcasing Machairitsas’s narrative songwriting and melodic sense.

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Album Credits

Artist: Λαυρέντης Μαχαιρίτσας (Lavrentis Machairitsas)
Label: Minos – EMI SA
Release Year: 1993
Genre: Greek Rock / Pop Rock / Blues‑Infused Rock

The album features contributions by fellow musicians, including guest vocals and instrumental performances, emphasizing a collaborative spirit typical of Machairitsas’s projects in the 1990s.

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Album Tracklist

The album comprises 10 tracks, presenting a mix of energetic rockers, melodic ballads, and rhythm‑driven songs that highlight Machairitsas’s lyricism and musical range.

Typical tracklist includes:

1. Μικρός Τιτανικός

2. Ρίξε Κόκκινο στη Νύχτα

3. Μικρασιάτικο (feat. Ελευθερία Αρβανιτάκη)

4. Ημίφως

5. Χαμένη Ψήφος

6. Να Δεις Τι Σου ‘Χω Για Μετά (feat. Βασίλης Παπακωνσταντίνου)

7. Στα Καμένα

8. Δεν Με Πιστεύεις (We Are No Angels)

9. Tango Στον Καθρέφτη Μου

10. Νυν Απολύεις Τον Δούλο Σου Δέσποτα

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Cover Art & Design

The cover of Ρίξε Κόκκινο στη Νύχτα presents a visual motif that reflects the album’s energetic and emotive mood. The design is emblematic of early 1990s Greek rock packaging, focusing on artistic imagery and bold typography rather than elaborate graphics, mirroring the raw yet melodic nature of the music.

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Musical Style & Sound

Ρίξε Κόκκινο στη Νύχτα blends:

• Rock and pop structures with blues influences

• Guitar‑driven arrangements and melodic hooks

• Lyrically evocative narratives rooted in urban imagery and emotional reflection

The album balances lively rhythmic tracks with more introspective moments, showcasing Machairitsas’s ability to craft songs that resonate both musically and poetically.

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Standout Track – “Ρίξε Κόκκινο στη Νύχτα”

The title track Ρίξε Κόκκινο στη Νύχτα became one of the album’s defining songs. Its lyrics use vivid imagery — raining, night scenes, and emotional resilience — to convey personal determination and intensity. The phrase “ρίξε κόκκινο στη νύχτα” (“throw red into the night”) symbolizes passion, defiance, and the desire to illuminate dark moments.

Notably, this song is a Greek interpretation of “You Are the Voice” by John Farnham, adapted with Greek lyrics and sensibilities, blending international rock influence with local artistic expression.

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Fun Facts & Trivia

• The album features collaborations with celebrated Greek artists like Ελευθερία Αρβανιτάκη and Βασίλης Παπακωνσταντίνου, adding diverse vocal textures.

• Recorded during a period when Machairitsas was increasingly active with fellow rocker Dionysis Tsaknis, the album reflects a socially engaged Greek rock scene.

• Its mix of rock, pop, and blues elements shows Machairitsas’s versatility as a songwriter in the early 1990s Greek music landscape.

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Did You Know?

• The album followed the Gold‑selling Didymoteicho Blues and helped Machairitsas maintain momentum as a solo artist in the 1990s.

• The track Μικρασιάτικο, featuring Ελευθερία Αρβανιτάκη, adds a folk‑tinged motif that broadened the album’s stylistic palette.

• Several songs from this album are remembered on Greek rock radio playlists and live performance repertoires. 

Lavrentis Mahairitsas Full Discography