JOKER Vinyl & CDs

Review: Way back in 1982, a disparate group of Italian musicians gathered under the supervision of producers Donan, Tam and Orealbo to make some instrumental music inspired by different countries and continents. The resultant self-titled set, credited to Joker, has long been a sought-after set amongst Italo-disco collectors and those that sway to the Balearic beat. In truth, it's sometimes hard to hear the specific influences from the places sonically celebrated, but the music - a mix of bold Italo-disco synths, squelchy electrofunk sounds, disco drums, dreamy chords, nods to jazz-funk and splashes of aural colour - is attractive, enjoyable, funky, eccentric and genuinely beguiling.