Back catalogue: Coldwave/Synth

Review: Italia Synthetica 1981-1985 is a reissue of a 2013 compilation which details a selection of synthpop, new wave and minimal electronic bands and artists from Italy in the early 80s. Spittle Records did divine work in sourcing and collating this collection ten years ago, not least since it's what they do best. Conceived and presented by veteran Italian singer and producer and beloved member of the scene himself - Fred Ventura - highlights like Neon's 'Lobotomy' and Actor's Studio's 'Dancing Alone' do well to represent the punkish and slapdash attitude of this flourishing yet short-lived scene. It nevertheless paved the way for the rich musical landscape Italy's underground enjoys to this day.

Review: A compelling selection of unreleased tracks from influential Italian artists and producers who continue to shape the underground electronic scene. The project features a mix of electro, synth-pop and new wave, each track pushing boundaries and exploring new sonic frontiers. Rimini Metafisica, led by Paolo Gozzetti (known for Sigma Tibet and Italoconnection), presents a fresh exploration of sound, while TenGramsione of the Piatto brothers' aliasesidelivers dark, minimal synth with an essential edge. Diego Montinaro, aka Sandiego, contributes a cybernetic ballad, while Mono Han, another Piatto project, shines with bright, authentic synth-pop, powered by a Linn Drum and Roland Jupiter 8.Other standout contributions include Deep Field, a synth-pop venture from Danilo Carnevale and Castelli's new-wave disco track. Fogli and Ventura's collaboration brings isolationist minimal synth, while Through Twelve offers a post-punk-synth-pop blend with contemporary flair. Body System, a collaboration between Enrico Colombo and Ventura, aims to revive the EBM sound and Italoconnection, with Francesca Gastaldi, presents a "lost" track reinterpreted by TenGrams in a Kraftwerkian style. Spittle Italy continues to bring out some excellent compilations for their followers.