Review: Some artistic edits from a brand new series. We're not sure who the "unknown artist" is behind the reworks (which date from this year and 2016 respectively), but it's clear that they know what they're doing. A-side "Baby Baby Please" is a wonderfully dubbed-out and glassy-eyed revision of a lesser-known Italo-disco/Hi-NRG cover of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' classic "Don't Leave Me This Way" that boasts a killer vocal breakdown midway through. Over on the flip, "True Destiny" is an epic, low-slung revision of an obscure disco number that rightly emphasizes the heavy groove pushing the track forward and includes some tasty delay and echo trickery.
Review: Following a successful run of disco deviance on top labels such as GAMM, Basic Fingers, Barefoot Beats and Tugboat, Toronto's Patchouli Brothers are up next on the sixth edition of the "Pleasure of Love" edit series. The "Beam Me Up" hosts have a proven track record with the ol' razor and tape, distilling rare and underappreciated cuts and turning them into peak time dancefloor gems. These four cuts on volume six are no exception. Our picks: the joyous and sunkissed "Made In France" (tres bien!), followed by the carnival energy of "Soca Danny" with its powerhouse brass section and the classic Stateside vibe of "Crossed Your Mind" on the flip.
Review: Coral City return early in 2022 with an excellent release. N&W are on duty again here with three stand-out tracks. 'Rave' the A-Side is exactly what it says on the tin. It's 808 State meets Larry Heard with a touch of Inner City. Stripped down and four to floor. Classic Roland 909 drums are met with aAhook that shakesAany dancefloor, expect early support with this. 'Speed' is a killer Nu-Disco / Boogie affair with a nod to the seedy underworld of the '80s, Picture Michelle Pfeiffer throwing shapes on the dancefloor in Scarface, and you are right on the nose. Finally, 'Cherry' is an all-out Italo / Hi-NRG workout, the linndrums, the driving arpeggio bassline and overall melancholy feel, is reminiscent of Bobby Orlando.
Review: Moana Pozzi was primarily a pornographic actor, but during the 1980s and early 90s also notched up a number of club and crossover hits in her native Italy. This 12" from Mondo Groove brings together her three most sought-after cuts, adding in an extra unreleased treat in the shape of 'Bonita', a breezy-and-sleazy house-not-house number of the Balearic kind that was apparently a firm favourite in her 'spicy' live shows. Perhaps the best known of the included classic cuts is 'Supermacho (Extended)', where Pozzi's sleazy and dead-eyed vocals rise above a throbbing Italo-disco groove and chiming melodies. Elsewhere, 'Impulso Di Sesso' is a more dubbed-out and dreamy chunk of eccentric Italo-disco, while 'Let's Dance' is a synth-sporting, Madonna-influenced synth-pop treat.
Review: For his latest outing on the Good Timin' imprint he set up some years back, Jex Opolis is joined by Ian D Knight. The St Louis-based performance artist notably makes his presence felt on "Look At My Car", delivering a vocal inspired by "consumerism and rampant motorism" over the NYC producer's superb, Padlock-inspired, boogie-dub groove. The Compass Point influence also comes to the fore on closer "Guitar Sands", where intertwining guitar and synthesizer motifs stretch out across a Larry Levan-friendly backing track. The EP's other cut, "Rimini Nite", successfully pays tribute to the halcyon days of Italo-disco. It's every bit as thrilling as the rest of this superb 12".
Review: Twenty nine years ago (can you believe it) Alexander Robotnick released his first album, Ce N'Est Q'Un Debut, featuring what's arguably his most defining track "Problemes D'amour" with the Harajuku-cute vocals of Martine Michellod. It's this album that has influenced countless French synth pop acts and a horde of old school electro lovers, and all this time later it's been repressed (again) by the label that first released it, Medical. Keeping the sacredness of this LP firmly intact by sticking with the keyboard-head artwork, Ce N'Est Q'Un Debut - along with Man Parish's 1982 self-titled debut - should be in all of our record collections.
Review: Craft Music's Good For Dance series continues with its second instalment and this one has been curated by none other than DJ Craft himself. Joining him are talented pals Schmoltz, Bogdan Ra, Romain FX, and Outra, also known as Joutro Mundo. These deep diggers are celebrated for their prowess in unearthing hidden gems and transforming them into dancefloor anthems and that's what they do here as each artist brings a unique flavour to the mix. Schmoltz's 'Luv The States' is a peak-time percussive disco jam, Bogdan Ra brings some slap-funk drums and glossy Italo synths and 'Tell Me Why' has crunchy drums and jagged synth stabs before a camp closer in 'Colosso'.
Review: Shannon's debut single from her debut album, 'Let The Music Play', defined an era. It was a huge crossover hit and one of four number ones from the American singer and was the start of the huge dance-pop sound that dominated for many years after. The gated 808 drums are one of the most popular sounds of the time (also heard on the likes of Phil Collin's 'In The Air Tonight') and here they are paired with some spaced out reverb, crisp snares and big keyboard stabs. It's prickly and futurist even mow, and that vocal is always going to get any club going wild. Two versions are served up here next to the original on a slick purple vinyl.
Review: More edit action from Richy Ahmed and Jansons' hush-hush Lovehrtz project, which has previously seen them given the disco-house treatment to tracks by Gino Soccio and The Supermen Lovers, amongst others. Volume three of the self-titled series opens with "Gotta Dance", a loopy chunky of synth-heavy Euro-disco-goes-house cheeriness rich in undulating electronic lead lines, echoing drum hits, arpeggio style bass and a sparkling female lead vocal. Their Italo-disco influence is explored further on muscular flipside "I Need Your Love", a sweaty late-night affair in which selected male and female vocal snippets, and ear-catching melodic motifs ride a thrusting electronic bassline and all-action mid-80s drums.
Review: A dazzling homage to vintage disco and new wave, infused with a modern flair. Side-1 opens with 'Desire (Trey Favorite mix)', an Italo disco gem that channels the essence of Yaz's 'Situation'. Its nostalgic 80s vibe, fused with new wave influences, is irresistibly danceable. Following that, 'Search The Nite (Taped Up mix)' offers a freestyle-inspired journey reminiscent of early 80s Latin Rascals edits, delivering rhythmic charm and groovy nostalgia. On Side-2, 'Desire (Hearts Burn mix)' presents a futuristic take on the original track, layering cool vibes with experimental sounds that feel fresh yet familiar. Closing the EP, 'Search The Nite (Razor beats)' strips things down to a beat-focused version, emphasising sharp edits and rhythmic intensity. A vibrant celebration of disco, nu-disco and Italo, seamlessly blending electrofunk and freestyle influences into a cohesive, vintage-meets-modern sound.
Review: Parisian crew Discomatin have come up with some little known boogie brilliance here from Belgian producer Jay Alansky, with lyrics by Jacques Duvall and falsetto vocals from Clara Capri. It's a fine fusion of Italo disco basslines, shimmering electronics and 80s pop and r&b, with more than a hint of early house vibes also thrown in for good measure. All remastered from the original tapes, the tracks are loud and crisp and are perfect dance floor hymns. The long version is the one DJs will reach for, with its sleek lines and hypnotic leads all finished with some elastic bass.
El Signo - "Dimensiones Ocultas" (Ric Piccolo edit) (5:17)
Ultimate Warriors - "Running Away From You" (5:25)
Abaddon - "No Es Computable" (3:29)
Toby - "Ain't That Better" (Harari edit) (5:02)
The Originals - "Vamos A La Playa" (5:20)
Mike Ribas - "Secuencia Sin Consecuencias" (3:13)
Adalberto Cevasco - "Reencuentros No 2" (7:29)
Los Moesicos Del Centro - "Esquirlas" (3:41)
Divina Gloria - "Mediterranee Club" (3:58)
Mike Ribas - "Como Son Los Retratos" (Harari edit) (4:39)
Delight - "I Wanna Make You Mine" (4:54)
Gaita - "Mueve Tu Cuerpo" (8:03)
Donald - "A Ver, A Ver" (Ric Piccolo edit) (5:09)
Bad Girls - "Dance To Dance" (4:46)
Carla Rab - "Sexy Films" (6:18)
Los Musicos Del Centro - "Aire De Tropicos" (3:52)
Jorge Lopez Ruiz - "De Mama Candombe" (5:36)
Jorge Alfano - "Fuego" (7:38)
Review: Revisionist history is just as important for music as it is for geopolitics or economics, so we're more than happy to recognise this 'Alternative Vision Of Argentinian Music' throughout one of the most important decades in popular music history. Whereas popular thought tended towards Argentina being a hotbed for 'rock nacional' (national rock) music made in the post-dictatorship return to democracy, here Soundway focus on the more extreme ends of the experimental music fringes that cropped, thanks to the newfound freedoms allowed by neoliberal policies. Arthur Russell-esque disco, downtempo battle breaks, avant-garde obscurities - it's all there.
Dubbed Version - "Boogieasy" (Unreleased dub version re-edit)
Dubbed Version - "Makin Love To The Music" (Unreleased dub version re-edit)
Review: The crew behind that monumental Ilo edit which you will have heard if you stepped in a club any time over the past year come through with a new label called Lo Fi Edits, with this debut offering brandishing five super spacey disco edits for the price of a ten bag. During the trip expect to be plucked from reality with the same tight guitar string picks of Kikroko's "Man This Is My Girl", look forward to some serious robotic struts on the Italo classic "Takin' It Straight", prepare for a savvy string massage on "Space Sentry", anticipate a sloppy bass kiss upside your chops on "Boogieasy" and be sure to receive the loopy, filtered funk finale that is the "Makin Love To The Music" sucker punch. Wow.
Review: Berlin-based SIRS returns with another healthy dose of edit debauchery. If you have listened to any of Daniel Klein's previous releases, then surely you know what to expect. On the A side of Sirs Cuts EP 03 we have the mechanical '80s disco funk of 'Lady Luna', followed by the neon-lit Italo antics of 'Danger'. Over on the flip, we have a super freakin' freestyle electro joint in the form of 'A Go Go' as well as the slo-mo energy of 'Evita' closing it out.
Review: Bedford-based trio Zenana never made much of an impact when they were first active in the 1980s but have become the toast of the world's media following the rediscovery of their excellent, Italo and Hi-NRG-influenced 1986 synth-pop single, 'Witches', by crate diggers a couple of years back. Here that fine track, originally produced in terraced house in Cornwall by the brother of bandmember Anita Tedder, gets the reissue treatment on Rush Hour's RSS series - thanks, in no small part, to a new (but authentically 80s sounding) extended remix from long-established Bristol DJ/production duo Bedmo Disco. Their flipside 'Spell of Love' version strips back and stretches out the track, taking cues from NYC proto-house, Martin Rushent dubs and mid-80s Shep Pettibone remixes. It's the 12" dance mix the song never had first time round.
The Creatures - "The Other World Robots" (extended version) (7:26)
Sylvi Foster - "Hookey" (6:24)
Kirlian Camera - "Blue Room" (original extended) (5:04)
Xenon - "Galaxy" (club version) (6:38)
Steel Mind - "Bad Passion" (Flemming Dalum remix) (6:09)
Review: ZYX's new vinyl compilation The Dark Side Of Italo Disco is a contrast to their numerous upbeat titles, such as the recent ZYX Italo Disco New Generation that came with an awesome complimentary mousepad. Label boss Flemming Dalum has selected some deep, mystical and melancholic tackle on this one, with timeless classics such as like the bright like neon "Eagles In The Night" by Dario Dell'Aere, the post-punk swagger of The Creatures' "The Other World Robots" or the gothic romanticism of "Blue Room" by Kirlian Camera all showing an interesting side of Italo disco music.
Review: Semi Delicious return for their 19th outing in label head Demi Riquisimo's 'Perilous Joy' EP. The five-track release effortlessly meshes the classic influences synonymous with the now set-in-stone Semi Delicious sound with a nonetheless singular expression unique to Riquisimo themself. On the A come 'Sinewinder' & 'Direct Fix', a pair of four-to-the-floor tools. 'Sinewinder' brings a more diva-ish, big-room affected track, while 'Direct Fix' errs on the side of depth with a head-turning bassline. The flip kicks off with 'Perilous Joy', offering a nod to the sonics of the dreamy, progressive Italian house of yesteryear. Up finally is 'Thyme After Time', and with it more psychedelic house delvings. Finally, the artist lowers the pace on the Balearic chugger 'Autoglide'.
Review: First released way back in 1984 as the debut single from singer Maria Chaira Perugini - the first of three 12" singles she released before disappearing into obscurity - 'Eyes' has long been regarded as an underground Italo-disco classic. This reissue, which boasts new artwork based on the Italian singer's later singles, presents remastered versions of the single's two mixes. The A-side 'Original Mix' is top-notch, synth-powered Italo-disco, with Perugini singing in heavily accented English atop beats, bass and stab-happy lead lines that sit somewhere between classic Italo-disco and the Hi-NRG work of NYC producer Bobby Orlando. Arguably even better is the flip-side Dub, which doffs a cap towards the Afro-cosmic movement via Marimba melodies, echo-laden vocal snippets, and a more chugging, arpeggio-powered groove.
Review: Dark Entries are masters of Italo reissues and they have a number of them dropping at the moment. This one is of Garland's 'Heartbeat' which comes original from 1986. It is a true dancefloor gem that bares all the hallmarks of the era that still remain so loved today. Claudio Corradini produced it with Massimo Filippi and Art Deco singer and songwriter Claudio Valenti used this project for his more club ready sounds. 'Heartbeat' (song version) is a mid tempo tune with sleek staccato bass and a sing-along-worthy chorus that echoes Bronski Beat. The Dance Version is extended for DJs. A postcard with lyrics and liner notes is also included.
Why Did I Say Goodbye (feat Tommy '86 - bonus track) (6:09)
Holiday (bonus track) (5:05)
Fading Away (6:54)
Review: Sally Shapiro are actually a duo, and the name is actually a pseudonym. Besides, they are essentially in the business of blowing every other synthpop act out of the park by this point. Packed with emotion and swelling refrains, 'Sad Cities' is a universal lamentation for failed metropoli the world over. Opener 'Forget About You' sets the tone for the pair's home-recorded masterpiece, on which the lead singer's voice takes raspy centre stage. Regret seems to be the central theme, peronalising our collective suffering:
Review: Who doesn't love an obscure and hi NRG disco stomper from the mid-nineties? This one's been unearthed by the Bordello A Parigi crew and it was produced by the one and only Bobby Orlando. It has glistening disco arps and throwback drum machine sounds powering it along with a great female vocal singing lines like 'You can watch them making love on video.' The opening Digital Mix is the best for us but the V&S cut gets a little more pumping for the peak time so will also come in handy.
I'm Ready (Mousse T extended club remix instrumental) (7:38)
Review: There are few bigger or more celebrated Italo-disco singles than Kano's 'I'm Ready', which became an anthem on underground U.S dancefloors (as well as in its native Italy) following its release in 1980. Here it gets a new pressing courtesy of re-established original Italo-disco label Full Time Production, with Kano's original mix - a soaring, synth-heavy sing-along driven forwards by waves of arpeggio-style synth sounds and insatiably funky bass - being joined by a trio of 21st century revisions. Mousse T delivers vocal and instrumental takes that cleverly chop-up and loop up key sections to re-imagine the track as a surging funky house number smothered in vintage Italo-disco synth sounds, while FrescoEdits stretches out an extra-percussive disco groove before throwing in choice synth sounds and vocals from Kano's peerless original mix.
Review: An anthem often heard at Mexico's Sonidos movement parties, "Sweet Magic" was originally released in 1989 at the tail end of Hi-NRG and when house music emerged. Produced by Los Angeles-based duo Michael J & Abbe Kanter, better known as Dreams Come True (aka Tyrants in Therapy) with singer Stacy Dunne, it has remained an underground hit ever since. Faithfully remastered from the original tapes, which Berlin's Thank You managed to find and digitise in Los Angeles, there's the inclusion of a new stripped down extended mix by Castro (Sound Metaphors) using the original stems.
Review: Some suitably sizzling summer fare here from the dusty-fingered Thank You crew, whose latest reissue focuses on a little-known, house-era Italo-disco gem from 1990. First time round, the single was a private press seven-inch, meaning that only a limited number of copies were ever pressed up. In its original vocal mix form 'Tengo La Sangre Caliente' blurs the boundaries between Euro-synth-pop, colourful Italo-house and Italo-disco. It's good, but the accompanying instrumental mix is even better. Over on the flip, Castro delivers two killer re-edits: an extra-percussive version that emphasises the more house and Flamenco-inspired elements of the 1990 original ('Tengo Las Castanetas Caliente'), and a sweat-soaked 'beats' version for those who like getting busy in the mix.
Review: Have A Nice Day is an alias of an unknown producer or producers as well as being the name of their own fledgling label, H.A.N.D.. Balearische Grammophon 02 is its third release and it features two cuts which are unreleased and secret versions of an 80s anthem from Germany, namely 'Brother Louie.' They beef up the original with all new dancefloor clout but in very different ways. The b-side in particular is a weird and wonderful cut with narcotic overtones and beguiling rhythms. An absolute must for those DJs who want to wonk out a club.
Review: Salentino's You'll Be In Paradise', originally released in 1985, receives a revitalising treatment on Giorgio Records, offering four distinct versions that cater to aficionados of disco and nu-disco, with a touch of Italo-disco nostalgia. Side-1 kicks off with the iconic vocal version, serving as an underground classic in the realm of Italo-house. Its infectious groove and euphoric melodies transport listeners to a dancefloor paradise. The Franz Scala remix on the same side elevates the track with a more serious bassline and a heightened focus on the instrumental elements, offering a fresh perspective while retaining the essence of the original. On the B-side, the instrumental version allows the mesmerizing melodies to take center stage, providing a captivating journey for those who prefer to let the music speak for itself. The Casionova edit rounds off the record with a rendition that stays true to the original's tempo while delving deeper into the melodic elements, creating a harmonious balance between nostalgia and contemporary sensibilities. Salentino's You'll Be In Paradise EP showcases the enduring appeal of Italo-disco while breathing new life into a classic track for modern audiences.
Review: Good luck... except, we're much likelier to be the ones who'll need the good grace of fortune, as opposed to the Melbourne mates' duo GL (which, we think, stands for Good Luck - we could be wrong). First released on the EP cassette 'Love Hexagon' - described as a homemade homage to chart-unfriendly funk and 80s romance dance - this contemporary showstopper of a tune now comes to limited edition 7" vinyl and recalls the pair's slick penchant for sporty major-minor chords and convalescent handclaps, conspiring to achieve a modern take on boogie and synth funk. With buskin socks and track headbands worn aflock, the pair pose in the middle of the basketball court, as 'Take Me Back' and 'When You See' set the soul alight by way of a nostalgic adolescent flambe.
Review: Definitely one for the collectors, Lime was Canadian duo (then husband and wife) Denis and Denyse LePage, and 'Angel Eyes' was originally the second single from their third studio album, 1983's Lime III. Almost 40 years later, the track has returned as a short form release, offering the original synth pop anthem, and a clubbier dub mix.
For many, though, not least Unidisc Canada, the label carrying this re-release, the major selling point is a remix - and something of a remodelling - courtesy of Turbo Recordings boss and dance music icon Tiga. Forsaking the rather smiley and bouncy original work, in favour of something grittier and altogether more dystopian, it's a masterclass of rough, gnarly broken electro, reworking and chopping vocals into disorientating loops, before finally introducing a kind of warehouse synth pop sound.
Review: Since launching in 2018, the Belpaese imprint has delivered a string of must-check EPs featuring re-edits of old Italian songs and instrumentals. It's a bit of a niche pursuit, but given the country's contribution to dance music culture over the years one that makes total sense. Volume ten in the series arrives with two sweat-soaked cut-jobs to enjoy. 'Ancora Un Baccio' is a quirky and eccentric Italo-disco number that boasts both rubbery slap-bass (including some energetic soloing) and surging electronic bass, alongside suitably camp lead vocals and heady vocalisations. 'Un Sogno Per La Testa' is a bit more Balearic minded, with the shadowy scalpel fiends making merry with what sounds like a holiday-ready 1980s pop song full of glistening guitar licks, jazz-funk bass and unfussy beats.
Voyager (Marlon Hoffstadt aka DJ Daddy Trance remix) (5:19)
Review: Since making his debut in 2019 via 'Koi Jaye' - a stunning edit of a little-known Punjabi take on throbbing, Moroder inspired electronic disco - Tjade has delivered a handful of 'must-check' releases that showcase the growing quality of his throbbing, Italo and Hi-NRG-influenced original. The Voyager EP, his latest effort, may well be his strongest collection of cuts to date. For proof, check 'Voyager', a kaleidoscopic, synth-heavy stomper that channels the spirt of Hi-NRG and early trance and comes backed with a stomping techno-trance rework courtesy of Marlon Hoffstadt AKA DJ Trance. Elsewhere, 'Shut Out' sees him add 90s trance style melodies and synth sounds to a punchy breakbeat groove, while 'In Contact' is a throbbing Hi-NRG workout blessed with deliciously cheery electronic lead lines.
Time For Changes (Vanzetti & Sacco instrumental) (5:56)
Review: There is never anything less than exquisite that comes from the Dutch label Bordello A Parigi. And this new one from Faxe is only short but it really packs a punch. Time For Change sis the dazzling Italo disco opera with shooting arps, tinny retro future synths and 80s drum machines sound powering it along. Steamy vocals add further allure. The Vanzetti & Sacco instrumental in the flip is perfect body music for floors that want to get in a sweat. As always this is a must cop from one of the day's best disco labels.
S-Tone Inc - "No Meio Do Samba" (S-Tone Deep remix instrumental) (4:42)
Through Twelve - "This Love" (feat Fred Ventura - mono Han remix 2) (3:48)
Straight Beat - "Argumenting" (4:08)
Soul Boy - "B Side" (3:43)
Review: Given that Fred Ventura has been a mainstay of the Milan electronic underground since the late 1970s, we can't think of anyone better to curate a compilation of 'modern Italo-disco, synth-pop and house' from the Italian city's celebrated scene. Naturally, there are a couple of well-known names present - see the excellent contributions from Italoconnection and Italo-house veteran S-Tone Inc - but the majority of material comes from talented but lesser-known artists. It's these tracks that really set the pulse racing, particularly the Mono Han remix 2 version of Through Twelve's 'This Love' (a cheery deep synth-pop number with Ventura on vocals), the Patrick Cowley-esque thrills of Soul Boy ('B-Side') and the synth-wave swell of 'Il Vuoto' by Livio Fogli.
Review: Legalize Lambada Vol 6 brings a vibrant Italo homage that showcasing the talents of Albion, Ric Piccolo, and Hysteric. Side-1 kicks off with Albion's 'Nucleare,' an early 80s DIY sound track seasoned with robotic Italian vocals, serving as a unique introduction. Next, Ric Piccolo's 'Disco Teacher' delivers a potent mix of early disco and 80s electro sounds, setting the stage for some serious dancefloor action. On Side-2, Ric Piccolo returns with 'Alright,' continuing the danceable energy with another infectious groove. Finally, Hysteric's 'Moment' offers a moody, keyboard-rich Italo house track, exuding a sexy, soulful vibe that prompts deep, introspective dance moves. This compilation is for fans of Italo disco and disco and those seeking something fresh in these genres. Legalize Lambada Vol 6 is steeped with that Italo sound with modern twists, making it perfect for both nostalgic disco enthusiasts and new listeners alike. Whether you're looking to fill a dancefloor or enjoy some soulful Italo vibes, this release delivers.
Review: Antoni Maiovvi's latest synth EP 'Birds of Paradise' is a dark, brooding release that draws inspiration from classic horror soundtracks, avian themes and early synthwave. Like something between an 80s title theme for the mothman and a modernist fever dream for automobiles taking flight, each track here is named after a quirkily-named bird, whether that be the Quetzal or the Streamertail. In keeping with the thermal-riding and soaring feel of the music, every track contains subtle birdsong as its texture, not to mention beautifully danceable yet minimal melodies.
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