The Italian-Irish connection returns on Lunar Disko. Bari’s Armonics delivers yet another EP of Italo wonders. Three tracks of synthesizer magic from a fast rising master of the modern Italo-disco sound. Massimiliano Pagliara brings us on a cosmic trip with his ‘7-07AM’ remix of ‘Indigo Voyage’…a disco bomb for the early morning dancefloors.
Waste Editions is back with a new compilation called 429 and once more, 4 new and colorful tracks were carefully chosen by the Andalusian label. The E.P is intentionally made up of four creative and admired artists. Besides and as is becoming the custom, these four diverse tracks are full of catchy melodies, touching arpeggios and powerful beats. Conscientiously, there is harmony between the four artists, Vortice Mortale, Imiafan, Asymetric80 and Undo & Casiowaves and without a doubt this compilation can show anyone no interest in trends and bet on music that the label loves and respects.
Compared to some of the ultra-obscure releases buffed up and reissued on Best, Loui$’ “Magic Dance” is something of a perennial classic, but that doesn’t diminish its value in getting another airing. Loui$ released a modest wedge of killer party anthems in his 80s peak, but this debut 12″ in 1985 was the glittering prize. Of all the versions of this release, the rare Blow Up Records edition is the one that gets a look in here, and it’s all about that special disco mix of “Pink Footpath”. From gutsy analogue bass to shimmering lead pads, it’s a dreamy dancefloor jam in every way.
G.A.N.G. was a short-lived studio project from Giorgio Giordano, Giorgio Dolce and Roberto Zanetti (Savage). In 1983 they released “Incantations”, a plush cosmic disco burner that rides a slow tempo but hits heavy with its rich layers of synth and slick guitar licks. Best are giving it a fresh airing with this on-point reissue, bringing the chugging bass arps back into the fold of a sympathetic scene that celebrates just this kind of evocative, sensual slow-mo party fodder. The original mix elevates in the second half with a soaring vocal from Stefania Dal Pino, but if that doesn’t appeal there’s a purely instrumental take on the B side that focuses purely on the groove.
Discos Capablanca are back. Loud-E is back. Cherry Chocolate Chaud edit series volume II is a double A sider with two mouth watering, instant classic floor melters from the maestro.
Mushrooming into Red Laser Corp’s continuing & stringent program of providing the best modern Manctalo (TM) and related flavours, Luca Dell’Orso follows up his taster session on Red Laser EP9 (RL28) with a fully realized solo EP. Based in Holland and obviously taking in the might of European dance influences that surround him, ‘A New Paradigm’ spawns a new natural genome, between Italo disco, Belgium new beat and our own, homegrown synth jizz that we’ve championed from the start.
The italian project Zero Call produces pure Italo Disco with perfect brushes of EBM- infused retro synthwave. Punchy snares, pulsing basslines and dramatic synths behind monochromatic female spoken vocals. Including the main track “Stellar Wind” + 2 remixes by Technobeton and Arkademode + 2 recovered tracks from his past discography.
The Edinburgh band Athens Of The North are back as East Coast Love Affair and their soulful and emotive deep disco version “Don’t Be Afraid”, a version of a super rare Disco 45″ by Sky’s The Limit, followed by a low slung and minimalistic afro house workout titled “Taken For Granted” on the flip.
Brokntoys return with the second volume of Casting Shadows this time featuring three secret gems selected by Intergalactic Gary. A true music archaeologist and one of the leading lights of the Netherlands’ West Coast scene for over 30 years, his knowledge spans across genres and decades. Opening proceedings on the A side, we go back to one of Andrea Benedetti’s acid classics – this time revisited at 33RPM, morphing it into a slow-burning dancefloor grinder. On the B-side, Italo disco duo GAG get a re-airing of their lost classic Flyin’ Bolero. QUAD, the UK duo formed by Mark Carroll and Pete Diggens, closes the EP with a deep breakbeat excursion originally released on Kinetix.
Ruud Lekx, with his wife Shaunna on vocals, returns to “Bordello A Parigi”. Following The Kill and From Ritual to Reason, Rude 66 delivers Resurrection; a four tracker brimming with his trademark touch. The title piece is a devilish vocoder incantation. Beats bite as Shaunna’s thickly modulated voice rasps through bending distortion that bears the unmistakable 66 mark. Lyrics are sidelined for “The Curse”. Drum and dreamscape combine in this synthesizer spell, blackened shades blending with light tones in this heady brew. This balance is something Lekx achieves time and again in his productions. He once more finds this sense of equilibrium with the stained disco darkness of “The Sleepers”. Lurking, stalking, the track counters an innocent playful melody with undercurrents that throb with menace. That menace comes to the fore with “The Luciferians”. A bare anthem of anti pop, a celebration of prowling, murderous intent plays to steady pulse and stripped melody. Brooding brilliance from a master of dutch electronics…
XXX009 provided by a really talented guy from the east of the Netherlands who goes by the name of Luca dell’Orso. Full on italo on this EP from high energy italo to more sophisticated slow burners. Machinegewehr on remix duties who takes one of the originals into a more darker approach suitable for dark basements when we’re able to party again.
Seven unreleased tracks meticulously chosen from the Schrock archive crossing and blending multiple genres from electro, wave, kosmiche and new age by Dallas analog synthesist Jake Schrock. With a literal arsenal of vintage equipment, Jake forges a wonderful, almost 80s soundtrack vibe with deep emotive washes and playful and gentle classic drum machine patterns and beats.
Half of the dark synthwave duo The Hunt, Herbert West aka Jerome Lesterps is a French electronic producer heavily influenced by 70’s and 80’s horror soundtracks. This artist tends to use vintage, analog and modular synths. Vortice Mortale is his new project in which he mixes space disco and dark synth music. It is clear as water that Herbert West loves Italian horror movies and French disco music of the past decade considering that this work “Memento Mori” is perhaps a perfect combination of powerful beats, enigmatic passages and wicked catchy melodies.
Mr Disc Organization presents the limited transparent yellow vinyl reissue of this italo classic from Sun La Shan.
Tempo Dischi is an italian label created on a mission to discover and repress classics and rare gems of the italo disco, afro and cosmic scene. With the support from all the main players who has made that era magic, we work to put back on records stores shelves a piece of art that may have been lost but it’s still timeless. Rare sought-after future disco via Italy. Tempo Dischi’s second release is one of electronic music’s seminal albums; 1978 Italian space disco album: Automat by Automat.
The Hipodrome Of Music 