Two spacious tracks that I've listened to again and again and again:

Timerider's track is the more jolly one, really upbeat and positive, and the track you listen to when you're out picking space-nuts, or whatever you do in a unitard on a super-super happy day.

The songwriter had some success with a bunch of remixes of Italo Disco and synthpop, for example Scotch, Koto's 'Visitors', some Pet Shop Boys singles, and also did a megamix for ZYX back in the day. He also released records as Fancy and was a member of The Hurricanes, both of who did really, really well done and well sounding stuff, but rather, er, basic. (Sorry!)

This, however, is exactly what we like.

Timerider - Cocoon
Listen / Buy: GEMM / eBay / Music Stack

(Don't expect to find it with that fancy cover above, because it's homemade. It expresses my feelings.)

Donna Laser Orchestra created the much more serious and worldly big brother. Almost complicating your ears by being so melancholic, but slowly it builds up and becomes nothin' but royal. If the other track is prince Harry, this is prince William. Respect.

Donna Laser Orchestra - Vega Synthauri
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The producers behind this one did a lot of weird stuff: pop, chanson, Engelbert Humperdinck, some Italo-Disco, a Star Wars cover record, and...Ivana Spagna's 'Lion King' album. Yes my friend, that Ivana Spagna, and the Lion King. It's a musical buffet!

p.s. it's a little hard to find, but you can find copies on Discogs...

OFF was one of King-of-Trance Sven Väth's early bands. When I say "trance", I mean the real good stuff, not the shit.

The other two guys in this band were Michael Münzing and Luca Anzilotti, who later produced the German-Soldier-rapping-extravaganza known as Snap!

I've been listening a lot to this track lately. It's so theatrical and dramatic, almost silly, but never quite goes there, probably because these guys knew what they were doing. Granted, it's 1986, so big hair is getting more and more popular. Kinda reminds me of Murray Head's 'One Night In Bangkok', but a bit more, eh, underground, which does not apply to this song at all, but I think you know what I mean when you hear it.

OFF - Time Operator
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These three fellas actually did a WHOLE LOT more dramatic and horse-galloping stuff, for example with their band 16 Bit. Semi-weird, if you think about it. Why would anyone chose this theme? Some dude bellowing like The Terminator over jumpey duggudu-duggudu beats, and yet somehow, in a very odd way, it works. I especially love the chorus in this track.

16 Bit - Changing Minds (Extended)
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The 16 Bit project ended up releasing "pure" trance in the 90s. A whole other world of drama.

Gene Ramone is one funky brutha. He disguises himself as some type of unlucky-in-love nerd, but in fact he's a smooth operator, melting my heart with an eeeexcellent track.

The beauty of it is all in the details, like the extra bass-hits in the instrumental part in the beginning. So so good.

I was so glad when I got my mint-looking copy a few days ago, shiny and probably unplayed. Mmm.

Gene Ramone - Romantic Face
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Noodweer were a Dutch pop/rock band most famous for this hit from 1983, which is almost a joke-release, their take on dancemusic and disco and whatnot. I have no idea what they're saying; all I understand is what they repeat in the chorus: "In De Disco", which, using my extensive understanding of different cultures co-existing in the habitable world today, probably translates as "In The Disco".

The track is very good, but probably rocks even more when played loud in the middle of a mix. If I sit down and listen reeaally carefully I don't like it as much (maybe 97%, I don't understand the lyrics, see), but as a kinda jolly thing to nod your head to and shake your sexy body, it's gooood.

And it's begging for an edit, to maybe cut out those scat-parts and make it all a bit more compact, maybe, but that being said, it's good stuff and it's different from a lot of the good stuff, and I'm glad they released it.

Noodweer - In De Disco
Listen / Buy: GEMM / eBay / Music Stack

It's also a very likely inspiration for all that dance-rock that the world fell in love with a few years ago -- although I'm not sure just how many people have ever heard it.

On one of the Italo Disco forums on Discogs, a user posted his thoughts on a track by The Hasbeens, a new group featuring Alden Tyrell.

Another user replied, saying that the forum should be used for discussing "real" Italo Disco, instead of new releases. In his words: "Yeah, it's a great record but this board was meant to expand our knowledge about original Italo-Disco from back in the days, no nu-skool-italo-disco or call it what you want..."

Yet another user replied, saying that it was interesting to name a new track, because in this case, it contains a lot of Italo-clichés (which is a good thing, in case you're wondering), and could therefore be discussed with other new, similar sounding stuff.

I agreed to some degree, but also felt that user #2 had a valid point, so I asked the question: if we start discussing nu-italo, how do we know where to draw the line?

That also leads to having to define what 'Italo Disco' is, exactly, and when a song is, or is not Italo Disco. Does the term describe a mindset? A concept? A musical approach? The technology that was available?

Regardless of what the new song sounds like, none of the above exists today in the same form.

To me, 'Keep Fooling Yourself' by The Hasbeens sounds much more "authentic" (as Italo Disco) than 'Make The World Go Away' (the song the original poster mentioned) or some of their other songs (you can listen to both on their Myspace profile). To keep the forum-discussion flowing properly (and "correctly", if that's ever a possibility) we'd therefore have to hand-pick songs by each artist.

I also added that Sally Shapiro is definitely not nu-italo...unless "nu-italo" is as vague of a term as "nu-rave"...

Furthermore, Italo Disco, when used to describe the "old" releases, contains countless different songs and approaches and techniques -- i.e. there isn't really any one way of "copying" the style and make something sound Italo-ish.

However, the tricky part is this: when you take a genre, any genre, Italo Disco in this case, and decide to extract some ideas or concepts, you are instantly stopping the growth and the internal transformation that the artists at that time were a part of.

In other words: The Hasbeens decide to make a "new" Italo song, but I think that ultimately they cannot do anything but create nu-italo (which is perfectly fine). See, they listen to a few particular songs, get their ideas together, and make a track. But if they want to create "real" Italo Disco, they'll have to figure out when Italo Disco ended. Let's say in 1987? Then The Hasbeens would have to pick one of the last "real" released Italo songs and CONTINUE on from that point -- not copy or use that style as reference. Otherwise they are making nu-italo...makes sense?

Music is about transformation, and I bet that the majority of artists--regardless of what you think about their release--were trying to create a NEW hit, not repeating what had been done before.

We are copying this style because we love it, and it's nostalgic, and honest, and beautiful...but they had a different goal altogether. We want to recreate the past; they were trying to create the future.

Here is a glimpse of the future, anno 1986:

Panorama - The Key Of Your Life
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Who Me know how to use reverb and echo. And make a rockin' track that's both jolly and pumpalicious. It's a blend of a lot of music styles. The beginning could be space disco. The vocals are like early house. The chorus melody is a bit of Italo. And the whole track sounds like a dub-version.

The guys behind this 1984 release did a lot of electro, but also jazz, pop, disco, funk, soul, rock, and probably a lot else. The record's engineer also engineered Eddie Murphy's selt-titled LP, worked with Kim Larsen, and Ramones. Both of the engineer's assistants have worked with a seemingly endless bunch of artist that I have never ever heard of. There's so much music out there that it sometimes feels overwhelming for a guy with only two ears and limited focus.

But I'm glad I got to hear this.

Who Me - Every BA-T-Rock
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Bu Bu Sex managed to get all these, well, rather normal and kinda odd elements together and make this track really good. It starts out pretty basic, a nice track that you wouldn't perhaps play that loudly, but then it gets so good, especially when the chorus kicks in.

This is what I love about italo, so much of the stuff just sneaks up on you. It's made to be somewhat low-key,not created as a dancefloor stomper, but there's something about so many of the rather slow-ish songs that make you wanna play them repeatedly, loud, and, ultimately, dance your knockers off.

This is not the most obvious hitter, but it sure works.

BuBu Sex - Great Expectations
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As far as I know, Bu Bu Sex's members did not release much in the world of Italo Disco, or any music genre for that matter; most of them seem to have waited until the 90s to do more music. The singer, however, appeared on a Violent Femmes album, but I bet that song isn't half as good as this.

p.s. there are oh so many Italo bands with "sex" in their name, I love it.

John Rambo, the bowslinging one-man-army who kills for fun, has a thing for Italo Disco. Or at least, Italo Disco has a thing for him.

L-Vira made this fascinating tribute to John Rambo in 1985. It has hints of 'Relax' by FGTH, Art of Noise, and ultimate songwriting brilliance, and is too good to describe.

Deep in the jungle,
fighting for justice and freedom,
No one can beat him,
this fighting machine.

Sure, that makes sense. That's why we love the dude.
And then:

"No one can catch him,
if you know what I mean.

The strongest man I know."

Ha ha! Then a bunch of sample extravaganza from the movie, and a dude belching "RRRRAMBOOOUUUWW", and we got a classic!

Watch out though, the song contains spoilers as the singer explains what happens to poor lil' fightin' eagle Rambo when he is "betrayded" by Russians and Americans, so don't listen unless you've heard of this Rambo fella.

L-Vira - Talkin' Bout Rambo
Listen / Buy: GEMM / eBay / Music Stack

Stuff like this makes me so happy.

p.s. the producers did a bunch of other stuff, including an album with this spectacular cover art. I'm dying to hear it only because of the cover!

Imagination made this bone-melting song in 1982, and I've heard it so often I feel like it's from 1882. But then I hear this remix, and it's amazing how this lil' mellowed out and more instrumental version, almost a dub of sorts, makes me like the song in a brand new way. It's 1982 all over again!

Imagination - Just An Illusion (remix)
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It doesn't take much to make the world a better place.

I was just listening to Bobby O's 'Whisper To A Scream' when I realized what it has always reminded me of: 'Unexpected Lovers' by Lime.

Everything is SO similar, even the way the instruments appear in the arrangement: the beat, the cowbell, the bass, the arpeggio, the chords, and the strings... Even the male+female vocals. Both were released in 1985, so I don't know who's first.

Instead of me going on and on about the similarites, you can use your own ears. Just play one minute of Bobby O, then play Lime. You'll hear my point.

Bobby O & Claudja Barry - Whisper To A Scream
Listen / Buy: GEMM / eBay / Music Stack

Lime - Unexpected Lovers
Listen / Buy: GEMM / eBay / Music Stack

p.s. Lime is one of my favorite bands (and 'Babe We're Gonna Love Tonite' is one of my favorite songs), plus I think 'Unexpected Lovers' is a better song, so my vote is for them.

I just changed the search-part for each song. I removed Amazon, as it's really unlikely finding any of these there (I like Amazon, but not for this). Instead, I added Music Stack, which is super great.

I'm gonna go and change this in some of my older entries, so click and get lucky.

It's only a few months since I first heard Loui$, and realized I'd probably never own any of their releases, simply because of the quality and the demand. The songs I'm posting are from a 12" from 1985, which is selling for $140 and up (wayyy up), and while I'm no fan of jacked up prices (the hype that's causing the price inflation usually comes back to bite the buyer in the butt) I do understand why this release is so sought after, as the songs are simply incredible.

The producers have worked with guys who produced stuff I've posted here before, but apart from Crystals, I think Loui$ might be the only thing I've heard.

I'm posting both the vocal and the instrumental versions. The instrumental, 'Pink Footpath', which I actually heard first, is arranged a bit differently from the vocal version, a bit more laid back and minimal. In an rather odd way, together these versions compliment each other.

Again, this is amazing.

Vocal:

Loui$ - Magic Dance
Listen / Buy: GEMM / eBay / Music Stack

Instrumental:

Loui$ - Pink Footpath
Listen / Buy: GEMM / eBay / Music Stack

I hardly want to talk about it in this particular entry, but one of the reasons why I dislike jacked-up prices so much is not because it makes it harder for *me* to buy the item, but rather that it promotes elitism, which, I believe, is the death to everything supposed to be creative and shared, such as music.

I also really really dislike the "collector's mindset", that is, the need and want to both raise the price and purchase really expensive items only from a collecting standpoint, because it usually only results in wanted items becoming even more expensive, but most often only for a limited time. Too many enthusiastic listeners are suckered into paying way too much.

I'm not wanting to sound hippy-ish, nor am I a disgruntled Ebay-shopper, hah. It's just that I like music because I can listen to it, which means I like letting other people listen as well, and, more importantly, I buy records so I can listen to them--which is why I only buy records I want to listen to. Similarly, I buy Jordan's to wear--not to resell on Ebay and make a profit. While items can be extra valuable, they should be valuable for their intrinsic value, that is, the particular record itself governs its value and importance -- not the cyclopsed seller who is after a wad of ca$h.

It's sad to see a bunch of releases selling for more and more, with everyone claiming it is because of the scarcity of copies in circulation, only for these releases being re-sold at a later time for less money. That means that too often the ones who really appreciate them--the ones who would never sell them, for one--never stand a chance of getting them in their collection. 'Polaris' by Cyber People was selling on Ebay and Gemm for around $80-100 in early 2006; now you can get a copy for around $10. Those copies did not get any younger, nor did the track become worse. It's just some price-up-jackers who claim they're in it because of their love of music. Sure, that and money. F**k'em, really.

And hot damn how I HATE all those bootleggers.

As you noticed (and as I wrote) the copy of 'Dancing Hour' I posted a few days ago was a bad rip, with the chorus jumping a few times, and the volume dropping slightly. I just fixed it. I wish I'd done it before, as I listen to the song a lot, and *hate* the jumpy chorus part.

Christine - Dancing Hour (Kontrapunkt fix)
Listen / Buy: GEMM / eBay / Music Stack

Here's the other entry, with info about the song, etc.

p.s. it's not a new vinyl rip, so the quality of the file wasn't improved. I imported the mp3 into Ableton Live, fixed it, and exported as AIFF, and converted that into an mp3 using Lame. But...at least it's not jumpy...

Here's another good one from Gloves, Konnor & Trilogy, this time featuring Thanya the temptress. 1982 was a good year, especially for juicy and shiny red vinyl containing amazing music. It's like delicious liquorice.

They really know how to make music. This is so light and airy and bouncy and...wonderful.

While I do like the singing at the moment, I've had a love/hate relationship with it. Maybe it's the wobbly reverb, or her super thick American accent, I'm not sure. Sometimes when she stops singing my ears go "aaaah", because the music is so light'n'fluffy. But then again, that was the part that made me like the track. So there you go.

And, I'm not sure I'm too happy about all the djs who prefer instrumentals, and all those instrumental edits that are floating around. Aren't most of the bootlegs instrumentals as well? Or at least edits with most of the vocals stripped away. Apparently it's all about pleasing the crowd...I don't what else it can be? To me it's just stupid. It's perfectly fine to like the instrumentals, but ignoring all vocals is ignoring the music itself. No hip hop dj would ever have made a name for himself by only playing instrumentals. It was about the singalong, the choruses and all that. Who's that? BROWN!

Anyways, let's listen to the tracks!

Thanya - Freedom (vocal)
Listen / Buy: GEMM / eBay / Music Stack

And here's the instrumental. I'm a righteous fella.

Thanya - Freedom (instrumental)
Listen / Buy: GEMM / eBay / Music Stack