italo-disco

VA – Owl 2 EP [MRI005]

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KID MACHINE/FORKLIFT & SAW/MACHINEGEWEHR/LOS POLLOS HERMANOS - Owl 2 EP

Here is the second compilation OWL, including some Nu Italo gems by 4 talented artists. Kid Machine joins the label with a perfect track to uplift a crowd. He brings the 80’s back to life with a journey through the stars. The Milanese duet Forklift & Saw, in love with vintage hardware, like to call their music Regressive disco, a different way to speak about Nu Italo. That track is perfect for going on the road or sharing a good time on the beach in Italy. Machinegewehr send us a wonderful Cosmic Italo sound. Close your eyes and go far away. Finally, the duet Los Pollos Hermanos (Myrddin & Red Fish) produces a music cutted to dance until the end of the night. A catchy, powerful and uncompromising Nu Italo rhythm.

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VA – Owl 2 EP [MRI005]

Patrick Cowley – Mind Warp [SPLP-7053]

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COWLEY, Patrick - Mind Warp

Seminal early 80’s HI-NRG / Synth disco emanating from the gay clubs, bath houses and discotheques of San Francisco. A truly original and groundbreaking sound and style helmed by studio genius Patrick Cowley. Heavily informed by sonically charged science fiction fantasy and the darkest corners of nightlife, ‘Mind Warp’ is a cornerstone of electronic music that still astonishes today. Originally released on Cowley’s own Megatone imprint in 1982 the album marks a definitive change in direction of post-disco dance music, undoubtedly inspired by European artists such as Kraftwerk, Moroder, Yello and more. A huge influence on what was to come through in later years via house and techno music, ‘Mind Warp’ is a bonafide classic and every single self respecting music lover or DJs home should have a copy. Celebrate 40 years of the label with this unmissable reissue package beautifully presented on wondrous coloured vinyl by your friends over at Unidisc.

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Patrick Cowley – Mind Warp [SPLP-7053]

Evolution (L&L) – Radio [BAP157]

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EVOLUTION (L & L) - Radio

Originally released in 1982 on Cinofilm Produzione, Francesco Strippoli aka Armonics discovered the ‘Radio’ 7″ by pure chance last year near his home in Bari. It was in Vito Lisco’s basement, who written and produced this track together with Renzo Maria La Costa back in the 80’s. They polished up the original track and on top re-recorded the vocal parts, added some guitar riffs and remixed everything together for a modern take on this eccentric italo production by Evolution (L&L).

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Evolution (L&L) – Radio [BAP157]

Clio – Faces [PLT677MIX]

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CLIO - Faces (reissue)

Worthy italo re-issue of this early Roberto Ferrante’s project. Roberto started his career being part of various electronic music groups in Naples around the early 80s. In 1985 “Faces” came out, a simple but direct and honest song with an irresistible rhythm and lyrics that tends to move away from that typical dark sound in other Italo-Disco songs of that era. This song is a triumph for synthesizers and electronic drums as it’s fully electronic, something still a rarity in those days. The beautiful melody and spiritual essence of ”Faces” represent the revolution of a new beginning of the Italian pop of the 80s with a perfect arrangement by Roberto Ferrante, a bouncing bassline, and strong and clear vocal. The sweet and sensual voice, full of personality and charm is by Clio (Maria Chiara Perugini).

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Clio – Faces [PLT677MIX]

VA – Let’s Go Into Space VI [369.064]

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Private Records presents „Let’s Go Into Space 6“. The collector series continues with another collection of scarce and unreleased 1980’s Italo Disco, Electro, Cosmic Disco songs.

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VA – Let’s Go Into Space VI [369.064]

Patrick Cowley – Megatron Man [SPLP-7052]

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COWLEY, Patrick - Megatron Man (reissue)

Megatron Man is the second studio album by American disco producer and musician Patrick Cowley, released in 1981. Highlights include the vocoder-driven title track and the relentlessly funky “Get A Little.” Cowley is most famous for his collaborations with American disco vocalist Sylvester.

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Patrick Cowley – Megatron Man [SPLP-7052]

Patrick Cowley ft. Sylvester – Menergy [SPEC-1864]

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COWLEY, Patrick - Menergy

Unidisc continue to bring us anthems, classics and groundbreaking hits from their vaults, reimagined, reworked and re-presented in celebration of 4 decades in the game. None come much bigger than the pairing of legendary synth alchemist Patrick Cowley and the incredible gay icon Sylvester. ‘Menergy’ is such a classic record, a slamming piece of HI-NRG funk that will have everybody within the nearest vicinity on the dance-floor in a heartbeat, the sound of early 80’s gay San Francisco, unashamed, proud and ridiculously ahead of it’s time. Pair this music with the skills of cult producer and editor extraordinaire Purple Disco Machine and you have a potential new classic on your hands.

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Patrick Cowley ft. Sylvester – Menergy [SPEC-1864]

Antoni Maiovvi – La Ruta En Ruinas EP [IM005]

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MAIOVVI, Antoni - La Ruta En Ruinas

Antoni Maiovvi’s debut EP on Italo Moderni with four original tracks influenced by the Bakalao from Valencia in the 90’s. The so-called ”Ruta Destroy” was a direct hit to the “Movida Valenciana” and consisted of the largest clubbing movement in Spain. It started in certain aspects the clubbing movement in the country, and had long-term consequences on the form of nightlife in Spain. Including a remix by Jensen Interceptor and Cardopusher.

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Antoni Maiovvi – La Ruta En Ruinas EP [IM005]

Lime – Angel Eyes (Tiga Remix) [SPEC-1859]

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LIME - Angel Eyes

As part of the legendary Canadian label Unidisc’s ongoing 40th anniversary celebrations, Lime’s 1983 HI-NRG masterpiece is back with a super-fresh 2021 re-rub from the one and only Tiga.’Angel Eyes’ was a hit notched up by husband and wife duo Lime (aka Denis & Denyse LePage), a driving vocoder heavy synth fest with whiplash electronic drums and serious attitude to boot that can turn any discotheque into throbbing sweaty hysteria. Rounding up the release is Tiga, whose darker edged and chopped up poppy remix takes ‘Angel Eyes’ into altogether different territory.

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Lime – Angel Eyes (Tiga Remix) [SPEC-1859]

VA – The Dark Side Of Italo Disco LP [ZYX55928-1]

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VARIOUS - Dark Side Of Italo Disco

The vinyl compilation “The Dark Side Of Italo Disco” is a contrast to the numerous happy and danceable Italo Disco titles, because this sampler contains deep, mystical and melancholic songs. Flemming Dalum has selected very special titles distinguished by hard and dark beats. Masterpieces like “Body Heat” by Fokewulf 190, “Eagles In The Night” by Dario Dell’Aere, “Blue Room” by Kirlian Camera show an interesting facet of Italo Disco music.

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VA – The Dark Side Of Italo Disco LP [ZYX55928-1]

Lucia Ponti – Dimmi Bello [EOC001]

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PONTI, Lucia - Dimmi Bello (reissue)

“Dimmi Bello” was written in 1986 and is re-printed today after 35 years with the very kind permission of two wonderful people who have dedicated their lives to music and love of neighbor, Francesco and Lucia Varanzano.

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Lucia Ponti – Dimmi Bello [EOC001]

Monomax Band – Immigrant Song [MZS001]

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MONOMAX BAND - Immigrant Song

Covering various classics is not uncommon in Italo Disco. Hardly a song that has not been pressed through the synth mill and spit out again with its own charm. This is also the case with the premiere release from the label “Mattoni Pazzi” with the “Monomax Band”: As the song title already reveals, you will find a reference to the Led Zeppelin classic on side A. In full 80’s Italo fashion, this version is peppered with synth riffs, glittering arpeggios, a thundering DX-7 bassline and almost gothic-tinged vocals. Side B is a remake of the remake and drifts off into the cosmic at a much higher tempo. A hypnotic repetitive bassline is underpinned with loving, oriental-inspired, lead melodies and vibrating soundscapes.

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Monomax Band – Immigrant Song [MZS001]

VA – Mellow Bangers [IMXX]

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The sea breeze, the smell of sunscreen, the first kiss of summer, the sunrises of an island, meals with friends in the sun, fruit in your hands, sky of stars, reflection of the sun in the sea, the nights of summer. Closing the summer with the new compilation of Italo Moderni ”Mellow Bangers” as the name says, italo bangers but with a very club touch, a touch of eternal summer.

VA – Mellow Bangers [IMXX]

Radiators – I Am Sure EP [RAF002]

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RADIATORS - I Am Sure

Following on from Mothball’s 2018 reissue of the Italo-oddity Fancy – “Null Null”, comes a follow-up collaboration with the maestro Raffaele Fiume. This time a long-overdue reissue of the sparkling Italo-disco duet by Radiators – “I Am Sure”, originally released in 1984. The original vocal and instrumental tracks are complemented here by an energetic remix from Mario Moretti. To finish off the record is a stripped-back “bonus beats” edit by Hysteric.

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Radiators – I Am Sure EP [RAF002]

VA – RePhrase Collection: HARD FIST EDIT SERIES (Free Download)

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A collection of name-your-price/free download tracks compiled by Hard Fist, featuring edits by Aaron Maple, Alexis le Tan, Anatolian Weapons, Curses, Daniel Monaco, Disco Morato, Facets, Fabrizio Mammarella, Hysteric, Jonny Rock, Perdu, Thomass Jackson, Younger Than Me, Zombies in Miami and many more.

VA – RePhrase Collection: HARD FIST EDIT SERIES (Free Download)