THE MUSIC GOT ME

This is one to get excited about! It sure makes me giddy. Straight outta 1983, some excellent almost-house from Prelude Records.

Visual — The Music Got Me (Vocal Mix)

I'M GOING TO GO

It seems like this song was born out of Italo, but raised by American funk.  I'm extremely fond of it.  Released 1983 from Full Time Records.

Jago — I'm Going to Go

I WANT TO TELL YOU TODAY

One of the rootinest tootinest disco tunes I know, from the master himself, Arthur Russell (as Loose Joints).

Loose Joints — Tell You (Today) (Original 12" Vocal)

Keep Your Love Alive!

Heard this at Visions Video Bar the other night... I've been enjoying it quite a bit.

Paul Sharada — Keep Your Love Alive (Keep it Satisfied) (12" Version)

The Italo Exit

Last night I checked out Visions Video Bar's launch party for their Magic Waves winter festival.  These kids know how to put together a party.  They were spinning some of the best Italo I've heard until 4am.

THE ITALO EXIT presents MAGIC WAVES WINTER FESTIVAL LAUNCH PARTY

I found a track from Alden Tyrell that has that "new" Italo sort of vibe he's got going on.

Alden Tyrell feat. Fred Ventura — "Memories"

This party was a lot of fun. Highly recommended to folks in London!

Keeping with the Italo theme.......I'll post one of my favorite Italo tracks. I've always liked the vibe of this one. Kind of dark in tone, but crisp and with some killa synth. Mix these ingredients and throw in a dash of brooding identity crisis lyrics and BAM! You've got a hot dish of Italo.

DHARMA — "Plastic Doll"

Dang I've been posting a lot of Italo lately...!

Victim of Change Again

A melancholic mood this evening reminded me of this Italo classic from Canadian songwriter/producer Gino Soccio.  It's one of those tunes that really draws you into a mood, with only sparse lyrics and pensive but persistent synth-driven instrumentals.  With a beat that can hold its own on the dance floor to boot, this is one of my favorite Italo songs.

Gino Soccio — "Remember"

I Came Here to Dance

Madleen Kane is just that Swedish model-turned-disco-diva that we all know.  This track comes from Trema, one of the most successful independent French record labels during the 70s.  It was released in 1980 and definitely contains traces of that 80s dance vibe that we've all come to know and love on and off the dancefloor.  There's also some cool horns, catchy multilingual vocals and some rad hair-metal-esque guitar riffs.



Enjoy.


Madleen Kane — "Cherchez Pas"

I'm an Indian Too

Not sure if this song is incredibly racist or just some kind of ineffective social commentary... Possibly both, but whatever it is, this silliness, a disco cover of a song from "Annie Get Your Gun," combines a spectacular groove with some catchy and truly bizarre vocals.  But what else can you expect?  Just another winner from Don Armando's Second Avenue Rhumba Band.

This disco oddity was released by ZE Records in 1979 as 12" with "Deputy of Love" as a B-side.

Don Armando's Second Avenue Rhumba Band — "I'm an Indian Too"

Don Armando's Second Avenue Rhumba Band — "I'm an Indian Too (12" Version)"

Leo Zero/Strut Records/London

In a few weeks Strut Records' first compilation of their "Disconnect" series will be released, with tracks selected by UK deejay legend Leo Zero. Strut says that with "Disconnect," they ask "some of the world's leading DJs to explore the darker side of their collections for rarities, secret weapons and unheralded dancefloor winners." It sounds like fun, but there's only one way to know for sure!

But most importantly, to promote the release Leo Zero has been doing a tour around Europe, and he'll be doing a set at London's The Book Club in Shoreditch on Friday, November 26.  I'm guessing it won't be entirely disco-centric, but it should be a good time.

You can also download a track from the compilation for free, in advance! Got a download link here for convenience. It's not too exciting to me, but it's solid.  Still definitely looking forward to the full release.


Leo Zero — (The Countach feat. Rosenda) My Oasis (Dance Club Version)


STRUT RECORDS DISCONNECT


THE BOOK CLUB INFO

Take a Chance

Eerie and strangely emotional, this Mr. Flagio tune from 1983 touches a peculiar part of my heart.  It has that slightly off-kilter Italo feel, simple instrumentation that knows what to do at exactly the right moments, and some vocoder vocals that send chills down my spine every time.  I guess that's my attempt at rationalizing my love for this song, but I don't think it quite captures exactly why I can't stop listening to it.

Mr. Flagio — "Take a Chance"

Love-Disco, Because I Love You So

Winter seems to be creepin' in, and it's getting me down. For the alleviation of these wintertime moods, the doctor recommends some disco.

Here are a few tunes that always manage to shake the blues right outta me via paranormal surges of energy that cause violent and uncontrollable fits of  boogie-ing down.

Hyperbole aside........these love-themed songs should warm your heart on these cold Fall nights. Because what better to do when it's getting cold outside than stay inside with the ones you love and share some dance moves?

 
Jimmy Ross — "First True Love Affair"

Syreeta — "Can't Shake Your Love"