Various – Italo! House! Now! review

Vintage Italo disco’s greatest moments (and some of its lesser ones) have been covered across many a compilation and 12 inch in recent times. Gomma do the smart thing then and throw the focus on contemporary Italian producers with this compilation of exclusive new tracks curated by Munk aka Gomma founder Matias Modica. Any one with a passing interest in current disco tinged house music will be familiar with most of the names present, as the compilation kicks off with the brilliant “Red Onions” from Bottin. A shimmering fuzz of organ and thumping bass drum are soon engulfed by the sleaziest of basslines and shuffling percussion. The mid section point where synths pulse and kick drums begin to pierce make for one of Bottin’s most engaging productions.

Horse Meat Disco’s Severino follows and displays a hitherto unknown talent for crafting brilliant retro acid jack on “Bounce” which is matched in the high-energy stakes by Hard Ton’s collaboration with The Barking Dogs. Elsewhere Telespazio indulge in some vintage up tempo Italo flex on the splendid “Odeon” that contrasts nicely with the shuddering melancholics of Gomma newcomers Cecile. Rodion and newcomer Alan1 break up the instrumental monopoly with some much-needed vocal tracks whilst Italo space cadets Ajello impress the most with the brilliantly cavernous excursion into throbbing mutant disco that is “Crystal Babe”.

Tony Poland