Musik Kontrapunkt Kontroltag:www.icomefromreykjavik.com,2008:/kontrapunkt//22008-07-01T15:26:38ZMovable Type 3.31Hotplay (from Europe) Dj set @ 22, Wed July 02tag:www.icomefromreykjavik.com,2008:/kontrapunkt//2.41102008-07-01T15:25:18Z2008-07-01T15:26:38ZSumarspilerí #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...Halli
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. :)]]>
Lukku Tríó #14tag:www.icomefromreykjavik.com,2008:/kontrapunkt//2.41082008-06-24T13:30:19Z2008-06-24T13:50:52Z 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,...HalliThe 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.
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.
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Hotplay (from Europe) Dj set @ 22, Saturday June 21tag:www.icomefromreykjavik.com,2008:/kontrapunkt//2.41062008-06-20T01:34:43Z2008-06-20T03:12:30Z 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 --...HalliHotplay (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.
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.]]>
Joketag:www.icomefromreykjavik.com,2008:/kontrapunkt//2.41032008-06-16T11:10:15Z2008-06-16T11:31:14Z 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...HalliInternational 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".
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Lukku Tríó #13tag:www.icomefromreykjavik.com,2008:/kontrapunkt//2.40982008-06-11T19:57:09Z2008-06-11T19:59:46Z 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...HalliPhaeax 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.
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.
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.
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Fake, but realtag:www.icomefromreykjavik.com,2008:/kontrapunkt//2.40952008-06-03T09:07:02Z2008-06-03T09:10:47Z 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...HalliFake 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.
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I'm Not Supposed To Caretag:www.icomefromreykjavik.com,2008:/kontrapunkt//2.40932008-05-30T02:49:02Z2008-05-30T04:06:39Z 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...HalliThomas 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:
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.]]>
Magic of the Vision of Euro, part IVtag:www.icomefromreykjavik.com,2008:/kontrapunkt//2.40872008-05-23T00:16:02Z2008-05-23T01:40:29ZThank 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 Listen / Buy: GEMM / eBay / Music Stack This song...HalliGermany 1975
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.
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.
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!]]>
Magic of the Vision of Euro, part IIItag:www.icomefromreykjavik.com,2008:/kontrapunkt//2.40862008-05-22T05:30:01Z2008-05-22T07:47:12ZOkay. 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,...HalliBelgium 1987: 11th place out of 22 entries
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.
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?
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.]]>
Waiting for Nice Movestag:www.icomefromreykjavik.com,2008:/kontrapunkt//2.40772008-04-26T15:31:42Z2008-04-26T15:56:42Z 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...HalliGina 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.
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Lio really goes to my headtag:www.icomefromreykjavik.com,2008:/kontrapunkt//2.40732008-04-24T20:15:49Z2008-04-25T06:06:29ZI'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...Halli
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.
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.]]>
A Tall Glass of Masqueradetag:www.icomefromreykjavik.com,2008:/kontrapunkt//2.40682008-04-16T21:01:13Z2008-04-16T21:36:06Z 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...Halli
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.
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.]]>
Concert, boy!tag:www.icomefromreykjavik.com,2008:/kontrapunkt//2.40652008-04-15T04:38:58Z2008-04-15T04:54:17Z Why why why have I not posted this before? I was so sure that I had... This track is so smooth and lovely. It's like these guys stole all the 150bpm electric smoothness from Mike & The Mechanics, the...Halli
Why why why have I not posted this before? I was so sure that I had...
This track is so smooth and lovely. It's like these guys stole all the 150bpm electric smoothness from Mike & The Mechanics, the jollyness and jump and sing like melting cream from Joe Jackson, broke into Brucy Hornsby's studio and took his piano, and then rushed off to someplace warm to record this song with New Musik's microphones.
But NO! Not "stole", because that doesn't apply.
Of course this love Cube of pleasure is made by geniuses who don't need the above stuff to create songs as good as this. They worked with Peter Jacques Band and B.B.Q. Band (and other Jacques Fred Petrus bands), My Mine, and other goodness.
Fast and friendly.
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Lukku Tríó #12tag:www.icomefromreykjavik.com,2008:/kontrapunkt//2.40642008-04-14T08:39:11Z2008-04-14T09:56:04ZThese 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...HalliRoxanne 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.
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.
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.
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Spacious Pleasuretag:www.icomefromreykjavik.com,2008:/kontrapunkt//2.40342008-03-29T02:40:35Z2008-03-29T21:17:15ZTwo 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...HalliTimerider'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.
(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.
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...]]>
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. :)]]>
Listen / Buy: GEMM / eBay / Music Stack
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.
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.
Germany 1975
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.
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.