These songs are the type of Italo Disco and Synthpop that too many people don't want to listen to, because "it's too cheesy" or something. I don't get it.
Roxanne is a babe who released three songs, all produced by the couple behind Bad Boys Blue, Venus, and...well, a bunch more stuff by Bad Boys Blue, and a 1990 cover of Prince's 'Nothing Compares 2 U', which I haven't heard but expect to be fascinating.
This song has so much goodness going on. The lyrics, the guy in the chorus, the drop-like synth. I'd love to receive a letter from Roxanne, she sounds so passionate.
Roxanne - Charlene (Extended Version)
Listen / Buy: GEMM / eBay / Music Stack
Hot Cold is Ivana Spagna, one of the most prolific singers in Italo Disco, who was more famous as just Spagna. She also made some kind of cover of Disney's Lion King, but I haven't heard it so I don't know if it's club friendly. One of the guys behind this song also produced 'Dancing All The Night' by Paul Sharada, 'Fairy Tale' by Rose, and 'Touch Me' by 49ers, which I danced to a billion times.
And because you asked, most of Spagna's other releases as Hot Cold, as well as the majority of her records were produced by two other guys, who also worked with countless other Italo Disco artists (the list is pretty impressive): Angie St. Philip, Fun Fun, Mike Cannon ('Voices In The Dark'), Salvy And Giuly (I want their 12" so, so bad), Baby's Gang, and...
...our favorite lip-syncing act, Whigfield, who released 'Saturday Night'!
The universe is all cross linked.
Anyways, I like this track because it's so happy, and isn't shy about all the jollyness or the growling guitar licks. I also love the synth chords.
Hot Cold - I Can Hear Your Voice
Florence is also known as Florence Magic Group. I have no idea why this song isn't one of the classic synthpop hits of the magical 80s, as it has all the ingredients and is just so f'ing good.
It's sung by Marco Faragli, who also sang my Max Him favorite, 'Japanese Girl', and produced by Romano Trevisani (who also produced 'Japanese Girl'), one of my favorite producers, who has done so, so, so much good stuff. I've talked about him before here and here.
Again, I can't stress enough just how much I love this song. I don't know why I never heard this song in a John Cusack movie, but then again I'm glad that it was never ruined for me.
This is so romantic, so heart-on-their-sleeve, so GOOD! Play it on repeat, and play it loud.
Florence - Trading Love
Comments(8)
Wow, that Florence song is fantastic, thanks for posting. I can see exactly what you mean about it being used in a John Cusack film, it has that feel completely - but as you say, maybe it's for the best it never happened.
Written 14.04.08 10:12
Yeah, it would've been played to death and instead of us relating it to Italy and fancy olives and Italo Disco and dusty vinyl, we'd be thinking about VH1 and some one-hit-wonder band, with those dudes having a comeback on Wembley Stadium in '99. Makes me cry, he he.
Written 14.04.08 10:21
The Florence has got me buggin' as well. Thanks for the jam.
Written 15.04.08 22:31
I'm so glad to see more people loving that track. Thanks for commenting.
Written 16.04.08 00:02
really digging the Hot Cold track, too. Can you post "Believe in Yourself" by The Creatures? or "Every Sunday" by Crazy Gang?
thanks!
Written 16.04.08 09:53
i´m also a fan of the italo-style. this is a favorite now: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGT_2vlRIPI&feature=related
Written 26.04.08 12:46
halli you are so on the ball with my current obsessions.
i found this track on a megamix 12" from holland and kept listening to the same 1:35 on the record just to enjoy this song. it was so incredibly melodic and encapsulated that wonderful romantic naiveity and lush synth chords that characterises most good italo. i though i would never find it, then lo and behold both video buff put it on youtube and you put it on your blog.
im uber-happy to be at work now! :)
Written 05.05.08 14:44
halli you are so on the ball with my current obsessions.
i found this track on a megamix 12" from holland and kept listening to the same 1:35 on the record just to enjoy this song. it was so incredibly melodic and encapsulated that wonderful romantic naiveity and lush synth chords that characterises most good italo. i though i would never find it, then lo and behold both video buff put it on youtube and you put it on your blog.
im uber-happy to be at work now! :) muchas gracias!
Written 05.05.08 14:45