Chinaski – Unschuld Der Sinne [BAPXX3]

Chinaski on Bordello. Beats parry and pound with the intensity of an EBM hammer, yet, strolling through those meaty kick drums stride shimmering melodies that sport elements of new beat, italo and techno. The rakish grooves of ‘Surfin’ Dead’ occupies the A-Side. Bold rhythms fly in the face of burbling bass and cascading chords as Chinaski takes control. A body pumping work out follows. ‘Unschuld Der Sinne’ throws beat shaped fists from the needle drop as a brawl breaks out. Born in the smoke machines of Belgium, this bruiser balances its rough edged rhythms with beaming bars. There’s to be no relenting as the closer screams like a nitro-fuelled missle. ‘Ab In Die Ewigkeit’ soars is a muscle-bound sky rocket set to keep any floor rumbling to the break of dawn.

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Chinaski – Unschuld Der Sinne [BAPXX3]

Light Cycles – Flowing EP [BAP114]

The partnership from The Netherlands and Italy, Auke Riemersma (aka Aux Tha Masterfader), Erio Simonini and Gilberto Caleffi (aka Disco Doubles) together form Light Cycles, a trio raised on sci-fi sound tracks and smouldering synth anthems. These influences are omnipresent in the group’s debut 12”: Flowing. Addictively catchy hooks and clean beats are central to the Light Cycles’ sound with their dazzling melodies glimmering across the 12”. Elements of disco are folded into these spirited compositions as this forward-looking triumvirate marry past inspirations with a hope-filled future.

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Light Cycles – Flowing EP [BAP114]

King Sporty & The Ex Tras – Rock Attack [ERC059]

The King Sporty reissue series continues with the lesser known, but no less worthy, Rock Attack. This first time release of the song under the King Sporty name – having previously only been released as by the vocalist in The Ex Tras, Johnny Griffin – brings in to focus the breadth of music, numerous alias and versions used by Noel Williams on his Konduko label. This is backed with another specially crated Discomix done in fine style by discoid duo, Faze Action.

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King Sporty & The Ex Tras – Rock Attack [ERC059]

Wolfram – Automatic Dub [PP026]

Public Possession start 2018 with Wolfram. Maxi Single PP026 features “Automatic Dub”. Powerful Italo Disco that will heat up any given Dancefloor in no time. The original is accompanied by two remixes, courtesy of Samo DJ and Alexi3d. More subtle yet equally effective acid versions including dreamy vocal and stop/pause scat madness.

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Wolfram – Automatic Dub [PP026]

TenGrams – Spacelab EP [NEXIT005]

TenGrams are brothers Alessandro and Davide, who collectively have a deep and long understanding of dance music. Davide is a co-founder of N.O.I.A, one of Italy’s first electronic live acts to perform and record with drum machines and synthesizers as early as 1978. He was also behind seminal Italo outfit Klein + M.B.O and proto house hit ‘Dirty Talk.’ Since then they have released under an array of aliases, have clocked up numerous club hits and this new project brings them back to their electronic roots, with influences like sci-fi movies and old school electro and italo looming large.Devious’ is a very breezy and energetic track with a rolling arpeggio and rich keyboards section over a simply but groovy Tr-808 pattern. Classical Italo Space Disco sound updated to nowadays. ‘Translucent’ sounds like a dreamy electro-ballad heavily influenced by Kraftwerk. ‘Pop Song’ keeps the same 80’s electro vibes with simple, wistful melodies and a great funk bass line. ‘Disco Dub’ is a pretty damn cool early eighties electronica, with a great pumping ‘robo-funk’ Linndrum.

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TenGrams – Spacelab EP [NEXIT005]

Q – The Voice Of Q [ISLE005]

The leftfield electro disco gem originally released in 1982 finally gets an official reissue. Bootlegged badly in recent years, Isle Of Jura does it right with fully remastered versions from Matt Colton and the added inclusion of a previously unreleased Q song ‘Keep It Strong’

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Q – The Voice Of Q [ISLE005]

Mono Band – Ghost Town [DE203]

Dark Entries Editions reissues “Ghost Town” the 1984 debut 12” single by Mono Band from Italy. The project was conceived by producer Rene ‘D’Herin and Massimo Fantinatiti aka Fantenax and tey teamed up with songwriter and guitarist Luigi Venegoni aka Svengile. Treading the lines between Italo Disco and the darker side of New Wave, the trio crafted a mysterious sound. Melancholic arpeggiators, a throbbing baseline, stuttering samples, and the classic Linn drum machine run throughout the track. The song was recorded in a few days at Dynamo Sound Studio in Turin and originally released on the popular Discomagic Records. This reissue includes the original vocal version, backed with a longer dubbed out instrumental “Ghost Version” on the B-side.

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Mono Band – Ghost Town [DE203]

Fockewulf 190 – Body Heat [DE202]

Dark Entries continues to license and reissue some of the greatest – not to mention hardest to find – Italo-disco ever made. This 1984 single from Italo-disco duo Fokewulf 190 is a great example. In many ways, it’s atypical of Italo-disco, eschewing the style’s usual arpeggio basslines in favour of a bubbly synth groove inspired by electrofunk, onto which is layered stylish, new wave influenced synthesizer melodies, atmospheric chords, snaking synth-saxophone and a highly accented vocal – originally un-credited – from future Italian synth-pop star Fred Ventura, who was then in the early stages of his career. Naturally, the headline vocal version comes accompanied by a fine instrumental, which is more like a delay-laden club dub in feel.

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Fockewulf 190 – Body Heat [DE202]

Marcello Giordani – Orrizonte [SLOMO037]

This 6 tracks LP travel through again into the unique sound of the early 80’s Italo Disco built with spacey analog sounds, some cheesy atmospheres and a touch of primitive Trance chords. Marcello’s taste is very clear and specific when we speak about Electronic Disco and this LP is totally inspired by artists like Farina/Rago, Sangy, Alexander Robotnick, Alessandro Novaga, Doris Norton and also from his experience collecting and playing this shit during the last 20 years.

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Marcello Giordani – Orrizonte [SLOMO037]

Musical Tasting #4: Italy @ Syndicat Gourmet (Sibiu) 09.02.2018

Musical Tasting is a series of events, a collaboration between Asociatia My Transylvania and The Hipodrome Of Music, aiming to promote countries, regions and their musical genres, combining auditions with traditional recipes from the area, cooked with as many local and seasonal ingredients. We will have musical and culinary trips in Turkey, South Africa, Italy, Lebanon, Germany, Belgium, Cuba, Israel Greece or Romania.

Continue reading “Musical Tasting #4: Italy @ Syndicat Gourmet (Sibiu) 09.02.2018”

Musical Tasting #4: Italy @ Syndicat Gourmet (Sibiu) 09.02.2018

VA – Italo Disco Legacy (Soundtrack) [369.047]

A journey into the past and the future of Italo Disco music through the stories of the original 80’s heroes and cult DJs and the voice of the new generation of artists, radio broadcasters and fans ready to carry on the Italo Disco Legacy.

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VA – Italo Disco Legacy (Soundtrack) [369.047]

Borgie – Kosmostrator On Venus EP [EE020RTM]

Electronic Emergencies kicks off 2018 with its 20th release. On the Kosmostrator On Venus EP, Bosnian DJ and producer Borgie has rocketed himself into deep, deep space, far beyond planet Italo. The sound of the four tracks on Borgie’s second EP for Electronic Emergencies is deep, has dark edges and is extremely danceable.

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Borgie – Kosmostrator On Venus EP [EE020RTM]

The Revolving Eyes – Innervision EP [WE005]

The Revolving Eyes, aka cult DJ duo Rob ’n’ Zoopsie should need no introduction to the more discerning fan of underground European disco. Having recently resurrected their own Moderne Recordings label the duo bring their sophisticated party manoeuvres to Wrong Era for the first time. A five track E.P that touches on the classic sounds of Chicago, Electronica and Wave with a distinctly European twist the Belgian duo are a much welcomed addition to the family.

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The Revolving Eyes – Innervision EP [WE005]

Mr Pauli – At Night [BAP107]

It’s with two kisses and a hearty handshake that Bordello A Parigi welcome stalwart of electronic music: Mr Pauli. Schooled on the West Coast, this pivotal figure has worked extensively with likeminded visionaries to create iconic tracks as the Novamen, Matzo & Pauli and Sumerian Fleet whilst producing his own unique works on labels like Moustache and Viewlexx. After such successes Pauli returns as a solo producer, delivering to the Bordello mansion two tracks of pure class. “At Night” is big, bright and brilliant. Hooks grip as soon as the needle lands. Vintage vocoder lyrics, a particular favourite of this trailblazer, tell a tale of twilight romance while crisp beats snap and notes sail. The flip keeps the fires burning. Synthlines are soaked in Mediterranean sunshine, an Italo Disco influence coming to the fore, with lovelorn vocals used to balance this cheer-filled creation. Golden sounds from a true pioneer.

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Mr Pauli – At Night [BAP107]

Valerie Dore – Get Closer Remixes [RBSSS2]

Numero due in the Super Sound Singles series on Running Back continues on the re-issue/update tip of inexpensive records. Big in the charts in 1985, the Italian queen of “romantic dance” made her second single “Get Closer” a clairvoyant poem about… errr… life and love: “when the world is running down – get closer”! Think stonewashed jeans, endless summers on Italian beaches, boats coming back to the shore. Remixed by fellow country men Tiger & Woods, “Get Closer” gets sandblasted into our modern times and the necessary treatment to be the peak- and night time hug fest, it’s always supposed to be. Add a run out tool by DJ Oyster and a gentle DJ-friendly edit by Gerd Janson of the original to the billboard.

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Valerie Dore – Get Closer Remixes [RBSSS2]