The Wonderful World of Italo
I read an article in a magazine, did some searching on the internet and got on this crazy Italo kick. Italo is basically European electronic disco from the ’80s, but that’s a loose definition. For a more detailed explanation of the genre, read the Wikipedia article.
Heartbreak – Lies (Lex)
I read a brief article about Heartbreak in Interview Magazine and I was intrigued by the picture of two guys in suits with black metal-style face paint as well as the mention of a genre I had never heard of: Italo. Lies has all the dramatics, spaciness and humor of the best Italo. Think New Order and Pet Shop Boys with an Argentinian singer and songs like “Robot’s Got the Feeling.” I have fun with it.
Skatebard – Skatebard Italo Disco DJ Set – Disco from Outer Space (n/a)
When you’re just discovering a genre of electronic dance music, DJ mix “tapes” are the way to go. This set by Norway’s Skatebard is a great place to start. It’s a high energy collection of thumping eletrodisco from the ’80s and the present.
The Immortals – “The Ultimate Warlord”
I discovered this ridiculous ditty on the above Skatebard DJ set. I’ll lay it out for you: disco beat, electronic blips and bleeps, ominous robot vocals, a singer who sounds like Sylvester or RuPaul and a blaring roller-derby or baseball game organ. Oh yeah, it’s a classic.
The Hacker – “Fadin’ Away (Dima Remix)”
This song is also on the Skatebard DJ set and it actually leads into “The Ultimate Warlord!” It’s very spacey, dreamy techno that I just want to listen to over and over for 20 minutes.
Various – Flying Mix (Zanza)
Mixed by DJ Nick Baxter, this LP from 1982 opens with a disco version of Pink Floyd‘s “Another Brick in the Wall” and continues into some very cheesy, but very fun disco territory.
Various – From Italy Mix (DAB Mixes)
This mix tape is very, very cheesy, but I find that endearing. Plus, the Europeans with very thick accents singing lyrics in English crack me up.
Flemming Dalum – The Dark Side of Italo (n/a)
Just what it says, only as a half hour DJ set by the Danish DJ, Flemming Dalum.
Maximilian Skiba – “Safari Jazz”
I heard this song on an unofficial rare vinyl collection compiled by Skatebard, but it’s available on the Apple of Disco EP (Terranova). It’s very dreamy, but also sinister with a lead piano line reminiscent of Mike Oldfield‘s Tubular Bells.
Patrick Cowley – “X-Factor”
Also from that Skatebard collection. This thumping instrumental is an obvious precursor to techno.
Night Moves – “Trancedance (NYC Mix)”
Again, from the Skatebard collection. Although this version of this song was released in 1983, it sounds very modern, almost like something Heartbreak would be doing.
