Italoconnection – Like A Star / Make It Real [BAP239]

Two vocal tracks and two instrumentals. The classic EP structure reflects the class act that is Fred Ventura and Paolo Gozzetti. Italoconnection are back at the Bordello weaving their synthesizer magic. And those analogue lines are what immediately wash over the listener in “Like A Star.” Crisp percussion and sailing melodies break to a glorious hook before Ventura’s unmistakable voice takes hold. Paying homage to Moroder’s “From Here To Eternity”, Italoconnection deliver a vocoder dipped love affair as smouldering vocals pitch ever higher. The instrumental strips back all lyrics, but allows the breathy keys to remain and keep that human touch amidst the addictive chords and rich textures. Bold machine brass introduces “Make It Real.” These blasts form the melodic backbone for this ballad to self-belief where Ventura’s impassioned words are impeccably coupled with Gozzetti’s sparkling synthwork. That synthwork comes to the fore in the finale. With lyrics pared back, the machines sing a different song as that energy packed melody is charged with even more intensity. Quality through and through, as always with Italoconnection.

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Italoconnection – Like A Star / Make It Real [BAP239]

Baby’s Gang – My Little Japanese Boy [BYN053]

“Challenger was the debut and unique album from the iconic and unique italo disco band Baby’s Gang. Although officially it had only two singles (Happy Song and Challenger), some other labels found extra tracks to be released as single (America) when Memory Records decided to focus on new releases. Produced by Anfrando Maiola (KOTO), Stefano Cundari and Alessadro Zanni, ‘My LIttle Japanese Boy’ is one of those tracks so it was worth buying the album. The album did not neither included the original version for Happy Song, but a ‘Remix’. Probably someone back in the days should have made this EP including both track…now we have done it. This 12″ included the original versions plus two Razor’s Edit to make it more DJ Friendly.”

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Baby’s Gang – My Little Japanese Boy [BYN053]

Lauer – Smack Is The Message [IM022]

Frankfurt’s melodic mastermind Lauer is back, and this time he’s landing straight on Italo Moderni with a brand-new 4-track heater titled ‘Smack is the Message’. Known for blending deep-house warmth, 80s italo sparkle, and synth-driven nostalgia, Lauer once again proves why his sound hits that sweet spot between dreamy and dance-ready. 

Lauer – Smack Is The Message [IM022]

Patrick Cowley – Hard Ware LP [DE-355]

Cybernetic disco maestro Patrick Cowley graces Dark Entries once again with Hard Ware, a double LP of far-out funk and synthpop celebrating what would have been Cowley’s 75th birthday. Best known for his chart-topping disco anthems, Cowley left us with an incredible body of work before his tragic death in 1982 due to AIDS-related illness. Since 2009, Dark Entries has been working with Cowley’s friends and family to uncover the singular artist’s lesser-known sides, including his soundtracks for gay pornographic films, which the label chronicled on compilation albums School Daze, Muscle Up, and Afternooners. Hard Ware presents the closing chapter in a trilogy of unreleased Cowley dancefloor bangers that began with 2022’s heavy-hitting Male Box and was continued with the soul and garage-inflected From Behind in 2024. The most expansive release in said trilogy, Hard Ware delivers ten tracks of pure, uncut Cowley: sultry, psychedelic, sarcastic, and just a bit sleazy. Hard Ware is another crucial document of a tremendous talent taken too soon. 

vinyl / CD

Patrick Cowley – Hard Ware LP [DE-355]

Bangkok Impact – Missionary On Mars [CWCS027]

Bangkok Impact – alias of Finnish producer Sami Liuski – helped define the early-2000s Italo-disco and electro revival. ‘Missionary On Mars’ became an underground club hit across Europe with its spacey synths and retro-futuristic vibe, earning cult status among DJs. With Caro and La Musche his reputation for sleek, hypnotic grooves that bridged classic Italo influences with techno energy got cemented. Remastered repress for a new generation.

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Bangkok Impact – Missionary On Mars [CWCS027]

Uabos & Hard Ton – GHOST (Hysteric remix) [FREE DOWNLOAD]

Special Halloween remix from master Hysteric.
“I spent close to 100 hours making this remix during 2019 with a lot of sample hunting and editing from old horror movies.”

Uabos & Hard Ton – GHOST (Hysteric remix) [FREE DOWNLOAD]

Depeche Mode – Boys Say Go! (DayVentura’s New Europe Mix) [FREE DOWNLOAD]

DayVentura is imagining sounds for the future Europa with a handmade dancefloor edit of one o the best bands ever.

Depeche Mode – Boys Say Go! (DayVentura’s New Europe Mix) [FREE DOWNLOAD]

Franz Scala – New Look feat. Furotica [SLOMO055S4 ]

Accompanied by the illustrious Furotica, Franz Scala unveils “New Look” another shimmering tribute to “Cafe Futuro,” infused with shared Italo sleaze and Scala’s signature melodics. His chest-thumping bass lines resonate alongside iridescent synth harmonies, delving deeper into the further reaches of his sound. The twilight-toned vocals and accompanying spoken words between Argentinian Furotica and Australian Pino D ́Angelo (Boots & Legs) dance with each other beautifully. Ultimately, it culminates in a thunderous dancefloor gem, embodying the Italian Dance Wave sound through Franz’s unique proto vignette and Furotica’s dazzling charm.

Franz Scala – New Look feat. Furotica [SLOMO055S4 ]

FLEXX – Theme From Flexxy-Ball [BYN052]

If we think about what’s the best italo disco label considering the number of release and success, Hole Records would be on the top three of each italo disco lover. Aimed by Mikki Chieregato and Roberto Turatti, every single release on the label is a gem. Joe Yellow, Den Harrow or Stylóo started an succesfull carreer on the label but also Fred Ventura. He was the vocalist of Flexxy-Ball. Produced by Chieregato and Turatti and bring it to light at the Manlio Cangelli studio Love Theme From Flexxy-Ball, Love Theme from Flexxy-Ball is a record that can be missed in any italo shelf.

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FLEXX – Theme From Flexxy-Ball [BYN052]

Hugh Bullen – Alisand [BYN051]

Directly from the Many Records files, an iconic italo disco track from early 1985 written and arranged by Enzo Vallicelli (the man behind great hits from Cruisin’ Gang of Max-Him). No remixes or updates are needed for this track, it still sounds as fresh and powerful as the day it was released.

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Hugh Bullen – Alisand [BYN051]

Tom Bolas – DB12 018 [DB12018]

Berlin-based Tom Bolas has long been one of the most reliable re-editors on the Duca Bianca roster, regularly delivering inspired reworks of Balearic obscurities, flea market record finds and under-appreciated gems. Predictably, there’s a similar sonic aesthetic to his latest collection of re-cuts, his first for four years. Four groovers of Cosmic, Disco and Italo adventures for all.

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Tom Bolas – DB12 018 [DB12018]

Ivan – Fotonovela [DR-015]

Official reissue of one of the most enduring anthems of Spanish synthpop with a respectful Luisen remix of Ivan’s classic ‘Fotonovela’. Instead of reinventing the piece, he works directly from the original stems – preserving its neon-soaked melodies and romantic vocal while subtly enhancing the framework with crisp new drum programming with synth flourishes and light tempo corrections.

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Ivan – Fotonovela [DR-015]