The Clocks - Wake Up came out in 1981, so this November the song is celebrating it's 29th birthday...which feels plain weird. Just listen.
The Clocks - Wake Up
Listen / Buy: GEMM / eBay / Music Stack
I like EVERYTHING about this song, which sounds a bit like Telex minus a few drops of the sarcasm.
Phil Gozes, the producer, later worked for Vaya Con Dios. The only reason for me writing this is that although it's completely useless, I like this kind of info. But f**k, listen to the song!
Caravan released this 12" in 1983. Caravan was a hugely popular Italian dance band, and covered a lot of songs from Giorgio Moroder, Bobby Orlando, Patrick Cowley, Sylvester and others. One of the band's members was Mauro Farina — even if you don't know his name, you've heard (and probably loved) a lot of his productions, including Ken Laszlo, Magika, Radiorama, Albert One. Just take a look, the list is almost endless.
Caravan - You And Me Tonight
This release has elements from all over, some boogie, some disco, and the chorus could only come from an European band and reminds me of stuff from Goombay Dance Band and Boney M. But the bass is my favorite, makes me think of Sex Band.
Mata-Hari is from 1987. The song is really smooth and subtle, and kinda sneaks upon you. It's incredibly well produced, the wobbly-synths in the beginning are very nice. Upbeat, perfect bpm, super nice vocals...I love it.
"Who is she...
who-who-who is she..."
But it's the chorus which got me hooked, a while back I realized I had listened to this song on repeat for probably 8-10 times in a row, always nodding my head and humming along.
Apart from Squash Gang, I don't think I've heard any other songs by this producer, but I want to, and I don't know why I haven't worked on that already.
Mata-Hari - Mata-Hari
Although the songs are not that similar, I get the same feeling as when I listen to Rewind's 'Rosalie (Pop & Go!)'.
Hugh Bullen is a smooth talker. He almost raps -- almost, not quite, but really close -- about this mysterious Alisand. The song is really slick, like a kickdrum party, and the production is really nice...makes it roll.
But like the song above, it's the chorus that makes me love it -- espeeecially the lyrics! And add the voice sample and tom-toms, and it just gets better and better...
Hugh Bullen - Alisand
...I know I've been terrible at posting music lately. It's just that since early June my computer has been to Apple five times, and I haven't had proper access to my rips and music collection...which is also bad for me, you know.
Love,
Halli
Body Power, in case your body needs some power.
The muffled sound makes this so delicious.
Body Power - Dancing In The Tears
Portofino sing about L.O.V.E. You'll probably sing along with the "durududdu du du du".
The guy is so positive, and the chorus is so large and juicy.
Portofino - All My Love
X Ray Connection are getting reeeaaaadyyy.
Sounds like something new, but it's 25 years old this year. Makes me love it even more. Really nice electroish italo, with an excellent bass sound.
X Ray Connection - Get Ready
Here's the tracklist for the minimix I posted below:
01. Ago - 'It Will Never Be'
02. Kariya - 'Let Me Love You For Tonight'
03. Boeing - 'Dance To The Beat'
04. Corina - 'Temptation'
05. Tabú D'Apache - 'Don't Believe In Love'
06. Richie Rich feat. Ralphi Rosario - 'You Used To Salsa (remix of Salsa House)'
07. Charlie - 'Spacer Woman'
08. Deskee - 'Let There Be House'
Sumarspilerí #2
Þetta er framhald af vikudagsfílingskvöldunum sem við héldum í fyrrasumar, þar sem sumir enduðu dansandi uppá borðum.
--> 22, Laugavegi, miðvikudagskvöldið (annað kvöld) 2. júlí kl. 22-01
Ef þú hefur mætt á kvöldin okkar þá veistu hvað við spilum, en það er ítaló diskó, elektró, boogie, gamalt hás, og önnur róleg og róbótísk músík.
Við byrjum á slaginu 22.00 og spilum til ca 01. Við byrjum örugglega í rólegri kantinum, en sjáum til hvað gerist í hjörtum vorum.
Hér er örlítið minimix sem HOTPLAY (from Europe) skellti saman í tilefni af síðasta partýi.
Og við viljum endilega að þú verðir vinur okkar á mæspeis:
http://www.myspace.com/hotplayfromeurope
Ást og virðing!
p.s. 2. júlí kl. 22 á 22 -- auðvelt að muna. :)
The Creatures are true believers. The two main guys behind this project were Mario Flores and Sangy, who worked (not necessarily together) with almost too many artists: Max Him, Silver Pozzoli, Fun Fun, Gaznevada, N.O.I.A., Amanda Lear, Valery Allington, and Flores was even half of Local Boy.
This is one of my favorites.
The Creatures - Believe In Yourself
Florio Time Dj is one smooth talking mutha. This song is very laid back, in order to enjoy it perfectly I'd recommend a hammock and complete isolation.
This beauty comes with a cost: it's really, really hard to get, and really, really expensive.
Florio Time Dj - Time Out
Extra T's made this E.T. inspired boogie megahit. This is so so so good, I don't want to talk about it, just listen.
Extra T's - E.T. Boogie
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Hotplay (from Europe) are playing at 22 (former Barinn) this Saturday, from 10pm. Italo Disco, synthpop, new wave, old skool house, freestyle, old skool hardcore, and heeling music for all mankind.
Hotplay (from Europe) are me and Terrordisco -- if you liked the Italo parties we hosted last year, this is something for you.
Here's a new Minimix, 16 minutes and 49 seconds (some of which are delay) -- it's a short sample of what we'll be playing.
Kontrapunkt
Á íslensku:
Hotplay (from Europe) eru ég og Svenni, eða Kontrapunkt og Terrordisco. Ef þú mættir á og fílaðir ítalópartíin sem við héldum á Barnum síðasta sumar og í vetur, þá verður jafn gaman núna. Við spilum snemma um kvöldið, því allt sem er gott í lífinu gerist snemma: kynþroski, kökuilmur, og ítaló & tilfinningamúsík.
Við erum komnir með kombó-nafnið Hotplay (from Europe) og spilum á Dansa Meira kvöldi Partyzone á 22 á Laugavegi núna á laugardaginn, frá klukkan 22.
21. kl. 22 á 22 -- ekki erfitt að muna það, ha?
Við ætlum að spila Ítaló Diskó, synthpop, new wave, old skool house, freestyle, old skool hardcore, og aðra gamla stuð- og heilunarmúsík fyrir mannfólk.
Að ofan er Minimix með smá smakki af músíkinni sem við spilum. Sæktu og hlustaðu. Þetta eru 16 mínútur og 49 sekúndur sem þú sérð ekki eftir.
International Music System is one of my favorite bands. I posted their excellent 'Run Away' before, and this song is from the same self-titled LP, which is one of the most solid LPs I have ever heard.
There's not much to say, other than "if you can afford it, buy it".
International Music System - Bonus Single "Joke"
Phaeax made this eeeexcellent song, with a singer with an attitude, and some crazy moves (I imagine). It's weird in the best possible way, like a weird relative who's also cool, nice, and is always sneaking $50 bills in your pocket. Shirt pocket, by your chest, in front of other adults. It's safe. Trust him. Like this song.
Phaeax - Talk About
F. R. David is most, strike that, is probably only famous for his 'Words' megahit. At least I can't remember (or imagine) anyone talk about anything else he's done. God knows I haven't been paying attention until lately, after I heard the italo-ish mix of the aforementioned emotion rollercoaster named 'Words'.
This song is raw power. The video probably had smoke, green laser, and a lady answering the phone in a robotic manner (whatever that means).
This is no quality rip, so you have to trust that the song itself will make up for it.
F.R. David - Pick Up The Phone
K.B. Caps is my favorite dude when it comes to super light and breezy summery songs, and this is perfect for no worries. No buttons on your shirt? Don't worry. Someone stole the bottom half of your pants? Don't worry. Someone replaced your energy drink with a Pina Colada? Time to party.
K.B. Caps - Do You Really Need Me
Fake was a group of Swedish musicians produced by clever Italians. Sort of like Ferrarikea, or meatballs with prosciutto.
Their main producer, Alessandro Novaga, was the owner of D.I.D. Records, home of many bands who he worked for, including Maskio, Cellophane and Steve Doesn't Drive. He also sang for Camaro's Gang, and was member of Cellophane, Models, and Lipseye (my previous entry). Amazing discography.
Fake's songs are more synthpop than Italo Disco, perhaps somewhat because of the singing style. They released a bunch of very good records, including 'Brick' and 'Frogs In Spain'. The one I'm posting is really good, feelgood discowave.
Fake - Donna Rouge
Thomas Leer is a British artist, who experimented a bit with techno-ish music in the late 70s, releasing stuff (under this name) between 1978 and 1985. His early stuff is rather smooth and arty new wave-ish synthpop, with guitars and helluva lot of drum machines, and sometimes his vocals could be lifted from some smooth British 60s pop (that's what I think, at least). 'Heartbeat', one of his last releases from 1985, is much further into the synthpop world than his other stuff, but his career evolved a lot. I like when he manages to blend somewhat experimental oddness with the smooth melodies and vocals, and the songs I'm posting are a perfect example of what I mean.
They are both from his 12" 'All About You', released in 1982.
The A-side is the vocal version:
Thomas Leer - All About You
And the B-side is the instrumental:
Thomas Leer - Saving Grace
While the instrumental has of course some extra production (it's not just an instrumental), it's amazing how the somewhat subtle changes give the songs a different feel altogether.
Thank Jeebus for 52 years of Eurovision. It means around 1000 songs that are dying for my eternal love.
Germany 1975
Marianne Rosenberg - How Can I Go Now
This song was not in the actual 1975 Eurovision competition, but was performed for the German pre-selection by the prolific and very successful Marianne Rosenberg, hugely popular in Germany in the 70s and 80s, and, not surprisingly, a gay icon.
The German version is more honest (sorry for the corniness) but this one is easier for sing-a-long in the sun.
Belgium 1982: 4th place out of 18 entries
Stella - Tut Mir Leid Das Ich Weine
This song is not very typical of the Eurovision songs I'm posting, as it's one of the few that people actually liked. It got lots of points and got far in the competition. After all, it translates as "If you do like my music". Yes, yes I do.
It was sung in French, but this is the German version. It starts pretty basic and soft. Then *kaplow*, bass in your (and my) face, and Moroder vs. Abba vs. Bobby O vs. Sylvia ('Automatic Lover') vs. good times in our hearts and a floating femme delivering luscious vocals.
And I love that extra snare hit.
Morocco 1980: 18th place out of 19 entries
Samira Ben Said - Les Enfants de l'amitié
We're back to incredibly good songs that no one liked. This one ended in 18th place, second to last. People are idiots.
Maybe they didn't like cute sounding cuddly Moroccan girls, singing about 'Love Message'? Or, even better, maybe they didn't like anything good at all, because do you know what song was in the 17th place? 'Euro-Vision' by Telex.
This is actually a good and a bad thing. Good, because these songs never end up being overplayed on the radio or something worse. Bad, because too many of these songs fall into total obscurity (for some of these artists it's almost impossible to find a picture), and finding copies on vinyl becomes super-hard (simply because no one bought it when it came out).
P.s. check out the singers' eyes: open, closed, half-closed. We got the whole spectrum here!
Okay. I've been computerless and 99,999% musicless for the last weeks, so don't think I didn't want to post stuff -- it's just that I couldn't.
The Eurovision Song Contest is upon our powerless bodies, Eliminiation Round #1 was yesterday, and tomorrow is Round #2, where I'm hoping--and sorry for commiting treason--that the miserably sorry ass Icelandic entry will die a horrible death, with smoke, sparkles, and glitter flying all over the place.
See, I kinda like Eurovision (a lot, actually) as it has given me lots and lots of happy times. But the soulless creatures who are planning to "perform" in the name of my country are completely clueless.
So, in order to keep my sanity, here are more great songs from Eurovision past.
Belgium 1987: 11th place out of 22 entries
Liliane Saint-Pierre - Soldiers Of Love
Liliane Saint-Pierre is a Flemish megastar. She released a bunch of albums, and during her career she performed with Roy Orbison, Jimi Hendrix, and The Bee Gees. Hot mama indeed. This song was her second attempt at the Eurovision, uu, statue? Crown? Gold plated mic? (I have no idea...that's weird).
But what's not weird? This song. Keywords: Nice. Powerful. Dramatic. Durudduddu synth stabs. And Soldiers of Love.
Denmark 1981: 11th place out of 20 entries
Tommy Seebach & Debbie Cameron - Krøller Eller Ej
In case you don't have your Danish down (I mean the language, not the crusty deliciousness) I wanted to tell you 'Krøller Eller Ej' means 'Curly Hair Or Not' (but the internet told me that the song was performed as 'Straight or Curly Hair'. Whatever).
Debbie Cameron is American-Danish, and hopefully hopefully she speaks English with a thick Danish accent, because that is the funniest thing in the world. She is most famous for singing this song. Which is a lot.
Tommy Seebach is pure Danish. He competed a total of 8 times, winning three times, almost beating Johnny Logan as the Eurovision Hot Boy.
I love the lyrics:
Straight or curly hair,
We love our children so.
May there eyes be brown or blue,
Love your children too.
"Simple plea for racial harmony", according to the 1981 announcer. Word, my Danish brother.
Okay, now for the drama: I think this song shows how getting too worried about the format of Eurovision can sometimes push songwriters into poking the song the wrong way. In other (much simpler) words: apart from the chorus, this song has so many juicy elements, but totally looses it the moment the chorus kicks in, dontcha think? Starts like a disco powerhouse, building up to the chorus...which is total crap. I almost did not post this, but like I said, there's a lesson to be learned.
The video makes it a lil' better.
p.s. Debbie dear, next time, try not spreading your thighs all the way, mmkay?
Belgium 1983: 18th place out of 19 entries
Pas De Deux - Rendez-Vous
This is one of my favorite Eurovision songs, ever.
Weird and so good so good! Could be something from Alexander Robotnick's Fuzz Dance label, or Ze Records, but no, it's Belgian Eurovision oddness that everyone hated. See my comment above about the clueless Icelandic contestants? They'd have given this 0 points. Remember: clueless.
But we are not clueless, which is why we love Pas De Deux. I give them The Golden Merkat of Eurovision.
The band released a few 7" and a LP, and have had songs on various compilations released over the years, but they are mostly famous for this Eurovision disaster, a precious favorite of mine.
Just like this song, their performance was amazing, too!
If only the today's competition was full of this kind of greatness.
Gina X Performance were singer Gina X and producer Zeus B. Held. The band was active between 1979 and 1984 or 5, releasing around four LPs and a few singles.The producer had been active in rock bands before starting this project, and after meeting Gina X, his solo performances eventually evolved into what became Gina X Performance. He also did a lot of production and remix work in the 80s, for Nina Hagen, Alphaville, Dead or Alive, Simple Minds, Tranvision Vamp and Gary Numan.
I love Gina X's voice. She's a vixen, and the secret daughter of Nancy Nova and Nico. I really like the likable weirdness and the softly cold delivery of words. Ech, I hope you know what I mean.
And -- their first ever concert was with Boney M.
This song is from their first album 'Nice Mover', which came out in 1979. That album also contained two other amazing songs, 'No G.D.M.' and 'Plastic Surprise Box', but this one is my favorite.
Gina X Performance - Nice Mover
This one is from their last album, 'Yinglish', released in 1984. It's so large and grand and dramatic and so f'in cool.
Listen closely to the lyrics.
Gina X Performance - Waiting
I've been busy seeing fantasticly amazing concerts, meeting wonderful people, and swallowing some sun rays (and some food). Just saw múm play two shows, and FM Belfast go totally berserk at the afterparty. I discovered that jumping and shouting is hard. I seriously thought I would expire on the middle of the floor.
Lio, born in Portugal, raised in Belgium, a star in France. This song is from her 1980 album 'Lio', and is a cover of an excellent Billie Holiday song. As most of her albums, this one is produced by geniuses Dan Lacksman and Marc Moulin from Telex, with one song produced by Jacno (and containing lyrics by Elli).
I recommend you try and get your hands on her albums, as they are excellent.
I just listened to this song four times in a row, and as I'm writing this short sentence the silence is killing my poor lil' ears.
Lio - You Go To My Head
I need to make a 15 minute edit of this song.
A whole lot of artists have covered this song, but apart from the one I'm posting, my favorites are Judy Garland (loung-y latino feel) and Bryan Ferry.
Nancy Nova is the goddess of likable weirdness. I wrote about her before, please read it, that way I don't have to write it again, har har.
This song puts her and a bunch of music styles into a juicy sausage, and sprinkles it with elements from her other songs. She does her wobblyvoice, sings like a dude, belches out some chorusbits, goes high, the bass, the brass, then discoish, a bit diva like, and all the time it's oh so good, but then you get the chorus and Hi-NRG and everything gets goooooood.
I want to play this LOUD.
Nancy Nova - Masquerade
This is from her 2004 compilation/album/CD, which contained some previously unreleased material (at least I think so, I've never seen the song above on vinyl), plus her hits-y hits.
