Review: The reissue of Fratelli Malibu's "Ciro Miami" brings a refreshed take on Andrea De Fazio and Paolo Petrella's imaginative project. Known for their work with the "Nu Guinea" live band, De Fazio and Petrella infuse "Ciro Miami" with a nostalgic yet futuristic soundscape, highlighting their deep love for synthesisers and drum machines. The album's music vividly portrays the escapades of Ciro, a Neapolitan emigre chasing the American Dream. Through a blend of bright synths and punchy drum patterns, it captures the allure of neon-lit nights, opulent car culture, and the dizzying highs and lows of excess. The tracks evoke the excitement of cocktail bars and gambling dens, as well as the pulsating rhythms of video games and space fantasies. The reissue offers a chance to rediscover the album's dynamic energy and creative ingenuity. The sound palette, characterised by its retro-futuristic vibe and vibrant melodies, not only celebrates the original release but also enhances its appeal to a new generation of listeners. The album's journey from euphoria to disillusionment, all conveyed through its infectious beats and shimmering textures, remains as captivating as ever.
Review: The one and only Phillip Lauer continues his flawless sonic journey on 'Seventy Seven Zero Zero Seventy Seven'. The Frankfurt-based producer never puts a foot wrong, as his ever-morphing club sound moves through undulating sonic landscapes. His latest effort features a pair of originals coupled with inspired guest remixes, covering a fair few dancefloor bases. The title track features a hypnotic vocal hook soaring through dreamy pads, pulsing acid bass and plucked guitar, before Khotin ramps up the acid and toughens the drums for a slightly more robust rework. We enter new wave territory on 'Felt Bat', with a bassline that would make Peter Hook proud, euphoric synths and snare-driven rhythms. Yu Su steps up on remix duties, transposing the track deep into heads-down territory, as rolling breaks power paranoid drones and psychedelic synth lines across an immersive nocturnal trip.
Review: Somewhere between a sauerkraut connoisseur, an ancient Athenian philosopher, and a crate-digging obsessive (we'll assume this is the threefold meaning of the nominal pun until we're course-corrected) Saukrates returns with a new single 'Driftin'' via Love Touch Records. This new limited 7" is indeed as, perhaps even more so, delicious as a jar of pickled cabbage considered in Socratic dialogue. The Juno-nominated Canadian icon is here heard teaming up with producer Gil Masuda, who provides a neo-eighties synthfunk bomb over which Sauks flaunts his singing chops (this is a surprise delicacy, as Masuda is not often heard since his 2006 Big Black Lincoln project). Bursting pianos glide over huge gated digi-snares on this gem, the featureless version of which also appears on the B-side.
Kauris 1979 (Feel Fly Piano Emozione remix) (0:49)
Review: Night Vibez first outing on vinyl is a limited affair, with only 200 copies available worldwide. It sees Steb join forces with Dario Rossi for 'Karius 1979', a shimmering, impactful late-night number that giddily blurs the boundaries between sci-fi deep house, trippy nu-disco, and strobe-lit Italo-disco of the sort more associated with basements in The Hague than open-air clubs in Italy. Van Der Kirche and THC kick-start the accompanying remix package with a bouncy, stab-happy breakbeat take that sounds like it could have been recorded in 1990 or 91, before big guns Marvin & Guy re-frame it as a throbbing Chic-meets-Italo-disco workout. To round things off, the Feel Fly 'Piano Emozione' mix is a dreamy, piano-laden trance number that recalls the mid-90s excellence of Robert Miles.
Review: French producer Antoine Bourachot returns with his third release, delivering a trio of original tracks that blend his sharp ear for melody with a clear affection for groove-driven pop and club sounds. The warm, percussive edge of his productions hint at late-night sets and sunlit afterhours, bringing a jaunty mutant disco. Myd, Diogo Strausz and Art of Tones each offer their own take on the material, turning in remixes that stretch from laid-back funk touches to punchier zoomings into the floor. Bourachot's ability to sit comfortably between radio-friendly hooks and crate-digging sensibility makes this a record with plenty of replay value, balancing polish and playfulness in equal measure.
Out Of Luck (feat Adriano Prestel - DJ Friction remix) (5:36)
The Other Side (feat Adriano Prestel - Marian Tone '85 rework) (4:35)
Interlude I (0:44)
The Other Side (instrumental) (4:21)
Out Of Luck (DJ Friction remix - instrumental) (5:41)
Out Of Luck (Soundrays mix - instrumental) (4:36)
Interlude II (0:21)
Review: The Outer Edge rounds off their series reworking tracks from the archive of lesser-known German 80s outfit Ghia. This time round, they're offering re-imaginations of an instrumental synth-funk track first featured on last year's Don't Look LP, 'Message From The Other Side'. This time round, the band has recruited vocalist Adrian Prestel and re-imagined it as colourful and authentic synth-number simply titled 'The Other Side'. As well as a solid instrumental take, we're also treated to a superb Marian Tone take which blends bits of the 1985 demo with elements of the 2023 re-recording. Elsewhere, there are also three takes on previous single 'Out of Luck': squelchy and crunchy neo-boogie vocal and instrumental versions courtesy of DJ Friction (the disco one, not the d&b producer of the same name) and a more low-slung, dub disco style instrumental revision by Soundrays.
Review: For her latest trick, long-serving Canadian singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ivana Santilli has decided to cover one of her favourite Level 42 tracks, 1983's 'Out of Sight, Out of Mind'. Her take, which includes additional lyrics she wrote especially, sits somewhere between glossy mid-80s soul and colourful boogie. It has a much more electrofunk and soul flavour than the British band's Brit-funk/jazz-funk original, which is no bad thing. B-side 'Air of Love' sees Santilli dip the tempo and charge towards the close-dance zone - all sparse, slow-motion Loose Ends beats, chiming synthesiser melodies, dreamy chords and her own impeccable, slow-burn lead vocals.
Review: The newly formed Silum Records' is back with a superb second release that features Zurich collective Wavetest. They have previously released on the likes of Phantom Island and Drumpoet but this might be their best work. It is music inspired by the alpine landscape of the collective's native Liechtenstein but it also has one eye on the dance floor. These are bright, shiny disco-house cuts with happy arps, lush cosmic chords and accessible grooves that simply make you feel good. 'Gritsch' in particular is awash with warm chords and singing leads that will work in a wide variety of settings.
Review: La Pointe, a trio formed by Geneva-based techno pioneers and a New York City stalwart, make an impressive debut on Damian Lazarus' Secret Teachings. The original mix is a hypnotic exploration of light and shadow, blending atmospheric melodies with deep, pulsating rhythms. Nathan Fake's remix takes the track into more intricate and textural realms, while Jonny Rock injects a raw, off-kilter energy with his signature blend of disco, funk, and house influences. Captivating soundscapes that resonate both emotionally and physically, a perfect fit for Lazarus' label as he continues to champion boundary-pushing artistry.
Review: Ophan, formatively a festival hosting talents the likes of Onur Ozer, Hicham, and P.O in Cyprus, now branches out into deeper and increasingly original sonic territory with the launch of its own label. They kick off with a four-track EP from Turin's Otis, who joins a new throng of V/A releasers alongside Innershades, Derek Carr, Munir Nadir, Lvca, and Dawl. Synthology, the debut release under Ophan's label (Oph001), recaptures Otis' ability to finely balance peak times and rolling intervals, with 'Techno Rock'n'roll' in particular marking an especially perfuse detour through high school hair metal synths set against cosmic riser stabs. The release also introduces Lithos, a new subseries.
Review: The boutique label from Milan is back with a 6 tracker ep. Masterminds Volantis and Nicodemo present Spaziotempo EP, serving up 4 brand new tracks and asking two of most-in-demand producers out there to put their hands on, Bell Towers and Andras, the two hitmakers from Australia. This record dangerously contains "hands in the air" moments and blissful vibes.
Review: Parisian label Cracki Records has once again collaborated with Hong Kong's Fauve Records, which is headed up by producer and DJ Romain FX, for another fine edition of the Make Italo Disco Great Again series. This is volume four and it comes after artists like COEO, Arash & Quasar and Mangabey made their amir in the past. This new one continues to showcase global talent and has artists from Ireland, Korea, Mexico, Germany and beyond each sharing their unique take on Italo disco. This volume includes dazzlers by Mystery Affair, Shubostar, Sara Miller, COLE, Maltitz and Romain FX who all impress.
Review: Berlin-based Saturns Drive is a project by New Zealand-born DJ and producer Elfy, and is one that takes its cues from a world of early sci-fi, exotica and library music, as well as coming on thick with cosmic disco synthesizers, Italo grooves and lush arps. His latest outing 'Next Stop Nebula' also brings in slide guitars and retro digital synth sounds over the top of rhythms that owe a debt to the 90s. It's a fresh and new sound that makes for expansive, immersive listening and transports you to an imagery, sun-kissed world where gentle grooves like 'Next Stop Nebula' and 'Bride Of Frankenstein' await for a nice laid-back party.
Review: The debut release in a new EP series from Bordeaux's Monomoods label, ordained for nu-disco and Italo disco lovers. The label call on four resident producers - Doctr, Brian Ring, Astore, and Hysteric - to each deploy their very own dancefloor finesser here. Ensuring maximum satisfaction at a near constant drip-fed rate, 'Boxer' and 'Open Secret' bring us nonstop synthy, glam-glittered gusto; the latter track is special indeed, and a highlight of ours. The feeling of pure glee is tossed asunder by the B-side, however, with 'Mandarin Energy' bringing profound chord-data to an anomalistically expansive mood, and 'Adventure' fitting perfectly as the lighter, but still heavy, gated-snared Italowave number of eclectic choice.
Review: Created via a partnership between Parisian stalwarts Yoyaku and a local art gallery, Chapelle XIV Music has served up a sensational - if sporadic - range of releases since launching in 2021. This EP, from organic nu-disco specialist Mattrogg, is another genuine gem. He first serves up two takes on 'Fe Mwen', an ear-catching fusion of jammed out synth solos, chiming melodies, Nile Rodgers style guitar licks and nagging dub-disco bass. The first version, the 'Tee Mix', is the more musically expansive and immediately impactful, though the dub disco adjacent 'Roggtrax Mix' is every bit as alluring. Over on the flip, he cannily combines dub disco with nods to Afro-disco and Afro-boogie on 'Nwa Marimba', while 'Jame Anko' is a slow, heady, low-slung dub workout smothered in elongated electric piano solos.
Review: In most cases, a World Of Hassle is certainly not something you want, but we're sure you'll make an exception for this debut solo album by Alan Palomo, best known as the leader of the synth-pop band Neon Indian. Thoroughly on-brand for Palomo, this surprise LP flaunts just ten swanky, funky vocal disco cuts, tinged with the legacy of glam and jazz, and glimmering with the overzealous egoism of history's most volcaninc rockstars. Alan's versatile voice and neon-strobed production skills remaining present as ever, though despite the throughlines, the album marks a departure from his previous work with Neon Indian, which was more experimental and lo-fi.
Review: Six months after dropping their second collaborative full-length excursion, Daylight, HiFi Sean and David McAlmont deliver the yang to that set's ying - the loosely conceptual dusk-til-dawn night drive that is Twilight. More synth-heavy and strobe-lit than its predecessor, the album sees the effortlessly soulful McAlmont add his honeyed vocals to backing tracks rich in soft-touch grooves, dreamy textures, bubbly electronics and strobe-lit melodic motifs. This limited, deluxe edition is the one to grab if you can; aside from being pressed to colourful purple vinyl, it also comes bundled with a single-track seven-inch flexi-disc (containing a fine alternate dub mix of 'Driftaway') and an autographed art print.
Suit & Tie Guy Vs Dorian Electra - "Fa$t Ca$h (Easy Credit & The Economic Cra$h)" (Objacktivist mix) (8:14)
Suit & Tie Guy Vs Dorian Electra - "Fa$t Ca$h (Easy Credit & The Economic Cra$h)" (Lorenzo Vektor remix) (3:04)
Suit & Tie Guy - "The Bilderberg Gate (RIP Pete Namlook)" (7:12)
Suit & Tie Guy - "Because It's Lucky (Where's The Kibble At?)" (4:46)
Review: STG Soundlabs' first drop is a wild ride. First up, Suit & Tie Guy goes up against Dorian Electra on 'Fa$t Ca$h (Easy Credit & The Economic Cra$h)' which gets remixed by Objacktivist into eight minutes of bendy deep house with lashings of Ibiza soulfulness. The Lorenzo Vektor is a wild footwork remix with drums piled up on top of one another and the vocal chopped and diced into pieces. On the flip is a star-gazing synth house exploration of outer space and then a killer electro-funk jam. One of the most unpredictable EPs we've heard in ages.
Review: Cosmic vibes, disco roots and a touch of robot melancholy, created during a time of isolation and strange moments apparently, so channels feelings of longing and creativity into something playful and deeply human. We're told that what began as an open-ended studio session became a journey fuelled by synthesisers, with Luis adding guitar and Marabou handling gear and recording. The tracks balance nostalgia and futurism across remixes from I-f, Gerd Janson and Dan Tyler of the Idjut Boys.
Review: Middlesborough musician Rees impressed with his last outing on the Bordello A Parigi label: 'Three Eyes' was a real dancefloor gem which he now follows up with three more gems that showcase the artist's eclectic style and versatile skills. 'Dream Wave' is a bright, busy, intense cut with glistening synths front and centre, dancing about a crunchy and rigid rhythm while 'The New Beat' ups the ante with eerie arps leading the way as more metallic drum sounds clatter away below. Last of all is 'Electric Body' which is awash with more incisive synths and guitar lines, all with a hypotonic lead synth and new wave techno drums powering it along.
Review: Berlin producer Acud follows up 2023's Matjesfilet and Verbrennungsmotor with another multi-mix remix single, 'Supermarkt'. Flexing the network with a lead remix by none other than Prins Thomas - followed by versions from Ost & Kjex, Ana Helder, Dirty Acid, Mijo, and two from Amount - this remix EP makes for a comprehensive take on just how many times a track can be reinterpreted. Straying from the original's downtempo disco whimsies and supermarket-tannoy ready basslines, each producer lends their own deconstructed flair to the original, best of which in our view has to be Amount's retakes, which seize the opportunity to create something almost entirely new and singular from the stems.
Review: Ichisan is back on the dazzling disco outlet Bordello A Parigi with more soulful house blends. The Slovenian producer mixes up clean electro lines and smoky disco grooves here as bold percussion sets the stage for melodic keyboard curves and throaty basslines while cosmic elements bloom throughout this nine-minute journey. 'Rodeo Disko' features off-kilter keys that evolve into solid strings with funky bubbles and distant vocoder echoes. 'Saturnus' is a bright Italo-tinged sound with lovely arps that constantly tumble over the lively beats and 'Fujirama ' features droplets of drums built into a racing rhythm next to spiralling synths and a thick, calming bassline.
Review: Five years after unfurling their first collaborative album, Iron Curtisn and Johannes Albert have finally got round to recording and releasing their fourth - three years after its predecessor landed in stores. As with previous sets, it's loosely inspired by all things lunar. In practice, that means hazy, spacey synths aplenty, slowly unfurling grooves, and loads of cosmic intent. Beginning with the soft-touch headiness of 'Void Gathering', the German duo flits between moon-lit, synth-powered nu-disco ('Silverclub'), jaunty analogue house ('Sound (The Feels)'), warmer and more tactile dancefloor gold ('Ohne Dich', 'Club L'Avenir'), bubbly electro ('Pipeline'), revivalist Italo-disco ('Into Somethin') and ultra-deep bliss ('Daso').
Review: Pacifico is the debut album from Italian-born, LA-based multi-instrumentalist Francesco Perini under the Pearz guise. It tracks a five-year sonic journey through Florence, London and Los Angeles and takes in all the sounds of those places so blends disco, electro, nu-jazz and Japanese City Pop into a rich, genre-spanning sound. True to its name (Pacifico means "peaceful" in Italian) the album captures the reflective calm of travel's end and has collaborations with artists like Kuntessa, VANBASTEN, Natalie Findlay, Jules Apollinaire and others bringing their own depth to the project. The result is a multicultural tapestry of sound that is full of warmth, groove and introspection.
Review: Although Peoples Potential Unlimited mostly deals in super sweet little 7"s, it also does a fine job of putting out some top notch albums. Italian musician Alex Fernet is next up to keep that going with his Lucidanotte. It's a feel good record couched mostly in disco but with heavy elements of funk and Italo, soul and electro. There is an 80s vibe to the tools used and the sounds that result, with poolside funkers like '"Medusa Smith' sitting next to sunset dancefloor gems like 'Phantom Of The Club'. His own vocals appear in many tunes to back up the boogie baselines and as well as being great in isolation, the tracks all add up to a fine and coherent longer player.
Review: Martin Matiske is back on the ever-excellent Bordello A Parigi with his third release with the label - and it is of course another doozy. This intergalactic journey is guided by intergalactic synths and showcases Matiske's distinctive blend of cold currents and warm melodies. The title track is a delicate yet bold composition with shifting key changes and astral washes as well as some cute romantic flourishes. 'Cuore' is an analogue space opera rich in harmonic complexity and 'Heaven Knows' offsets glacial chords and deep bass. The EP closes with a cinematic finale where striking synths and subtle rhythms collide in beautiful ways.
La Kappa (Fabrizio Mammarella Italorama mix) (6:38)
Review: If you like the sound of a mystical fusion of ancient Japanese folklore and contemporary electronic music, this EP created by Italian producer Volantis and Japanese artist Hiroko is for you. Inspired by a psychedelic experience in Kobe, it blends hardware synthesis with haunting vocals to cook up otherworldly spiritual realms. The title track merges Hiroko's narration with Japanese train sounds while summoning ancient beings while Eden Burns' remix intensifies the ritualistic atmosphere. 'La Kappa' features Hiroko's playful vocals over dreamy sequences with Fabrizio Mammarella's Italorama Version adding a touch of Italo disco. The whole thing was co-produced with Niccolo Barozzi and bridges East and West seamlessly.
Review: Following on from two previous EPs here in 2019 and 2022, Peter Matson now serves up a wonderful full-length on the storied Bastard Jazz. Hotel PM is a psychedelic exploration of disco and modern electronica from the Brooklyn-based musician and co-leader of Underground System. His signature attention to detail, songwriting and world-class musicianship all shine through next to collaborations with the likes of Pahua, Kendra Morris, Toribio, Phenomenal Handclap Band, Sly5thAve and members of The Rapture, Ibibio Sound Machine and Poolside. Between them, they delve into themes of time, memory and disenchantment with modern technology with a mix of lush strings, tight brass and analogue synth basslines. It's a journey of dance floor delight and more introspective moments with plenty of catchy hooks and retro-future charms.
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