Italo Disco Renaissance!

I am curious to hear from all of you Italo enthusiasts and experts: How many of us are excited by the fact that so many new and wonderful releases are being issued over the last few years?!

New releases by Italo legends like Savage, Ryan Paris, Miko Mission, Closed, Felli, Dyva....etc. etc. etc.!

Fantastic label Groups:
Flashback / Rebirth / Disco Evolution
Iventi / NRG Level / ID Limited / Delivery
Five4it
(please add any more labels I have missed)

Personally, I am buying as many of these releases that I can afford, and I ire the fact that these labels and producers are releasing so many titles on vinyl. Bravo! This has kept my wonderful vinyl collection growing, relevant, current and exciting! This is such a great time to be a collector!

I would like to know how many of you are as pleased and excited by these releases as I am. How many of you are collecting? Discogs has become a great place to buy, sell and become aware of these releases ...And the amazing rereleases coming out for those of us who can not afford to buy the holy grail originals.

I have seen many videos on Youtube featuring Latin-American / Latino Italo/NRG enthusiasts spinning sets of new and old Italo and NRG vinyl...and they are getting thousands of views!!! We are not the only people who are loving this music! But those of us collecting this limited and wonderful vinyl are a special group of people who should remain connected.

I have not often posted here on the forum, but hope to change that, as I wish to stir and enjoy enthusiasm for this living and growing genre of awesome music!

Please add your thoughts!

Luc9
Massachusetts

luc9
Fantastic label Groups:
Flashback / Rebirth / Disco Evolution
Iventi / NRG Level / ID Limited / Delivery
Five4it
(please add any more labels I have missed)

Aube, Bordello A Parigi, Cyber Dance, Disco Modernism, Moustache, Special Groove,
Viewlexx, White Rose, and Red Laser.

luc9
Personally, I am buying as many of these releases that I can

as many as I can also but also the originals.

luc9
This is such a great time to be a collector!

over 30 years collecting now and still do !
can't do without Italo Disco so I'm also happy with all new releases.

It is a true pleasure that some guys are putting so much effort in making those represses and new releases possible. I am very thankfull to all them as well as every other person involved.

If we like to see Italo Disco fans in the future it is a must to keep releasing new records at normal prices. OK, there will always be old and new Italo collectors, even without new normal priced releases, but it surely is a big plus to make it more accessible to everyone with cheaper releases so that more people can enjoy the experience of playing it on vinyl.

Those who don't care about records will say an MP3 is ok and enough to enjoy music, and I'll respect that, but as vinyl lovers & collectors we all know that there is something very special and specific of playing it on vinyl.

To me there is no point of loving online "record pictures" and "thoughts of wanting records" which are way to high priced for your wallet or buying habbits. Well, it's good to have SOME records like that to make it fun, special and keep the fire going, but to me when 80 or 90% of your big wantedlist are waaay to high priced and super rare records there comes a day that it ain't that much fun anymore.
When at those moments new records are released at nomal prices it brings a very welcome feeling of relief.

To be honnest, a hobby must be fun and vinyl collecting is just a hobby, a material thing that can bring lot of excitement. Music instead is not a hobby, it's something that I need, that I can't live without. So if there are no interesting new Italo releases anymore and the only Italo releated thing in my wanted are crazy overpriced records, then I guess I will stop that Italo hobby, but I will keep listening to it because I adore it. It's the best music ever made!! I will focus on other genres to buy or collect then.
Those prices and the crazyness connected to the prices is just something that I never really found cool or attractive in Italo Disco. But it comes with the rarity, that's for sure.

The only thing that may be less interesting in new Italo releases is the sound quality. It sometimes sounds like mp3, sometimes like CD, often very digital (the his, the bad highs mastering).. You may say that it doesn't matter with Italo Disco which wasn't always top recorded during the 80's anyway, but some were, and when you get great old 80's analog synths sounds, analogy recorded on tape and pressed on vinyl, you get the warmth of the synths that makes the vinylsound interesting (even with a dance-synth music genre). But ok, at the end It's not really dramatic, just a little minus point. This also counts for most represses in many other music genres these days, wich is a pity.
When it comes to italo, I'm happy enough if it doesn't sound like mp3. When it sounds clean and dynamic it's usually way enough for most of the Italo songs.

Reissues of original 80s Italo got me into collecting Italo-Disco.
Many thanks to Radius, Flexx, Clone Classics, Safety Copy, I.D. Limited...
Quality sound/pressing and selection of songs is exquisite, and I have collected nearly every bootleg/reprint. But most of these labels don't exist anymore! Now I collect original Italo records to still my hunger. I guess it is getting difficult to sell Italo records to a new and younger audience, because most of the great reissues are sold-out, and current reissues are really advanced stuff for old collectors and vinyl lovers with the right feeling who go deeper.
Long Live I.D. Limited! I hope they will continue to release many rare original Italos, and also repress their sold-out ones. I still have hope that there will come more great reissues from Italy! But I have to say that Brando is the worst sounding reissue in my whole collection. That's not the way to go, who is happy with that?
I also hope there will come a nice UK-bootleg from time to time, records like like "KKK" or "Ba Ba" just great they have dunnit. Clone with "Clio-Eyes", yesss! Hope they will come back soon. I am soooo happy Bordello A Parigi have released "D. Carred", pure italo madness!!
But I don't know how long it will continue...?

New releases? But only the good stuff!!!
I have bought all the Andy Romano releases and his records are always under heavy rotation. Classics!!! But now what happened to Rebirth???
Mode One - Heat Of The Night, magically!!
Alden, Rude, Hasbeens & many others... Great Producers who put out Evergreens!! High Quality!!!

But most of the new releases don't flash me.
Which new records do you think are really great?
Which one is fun listening to for a longer time?
Which new song do you crank up as loudly as you can while driving through your city?

I think there are quite a few new records that are superb, to love for a longer time, songs that I would crank up everytime again:
Andy Romano ‎– Tomorrow You Don't Know
Mention ‎– Strange World
23rd Under - Sometimes
Monika Novak ‎– I Want You Back
Fred Ventura & Andy Romano ‎– I Want You Back
ecc..

I think that the music business changed a lot, wich often gives us a sour taste in the mouth, and makes us think more generally. Cheap throw away music is ultra popular on the radio, because it's easy to catch, cheap to make, it's nearly only about the image and x-factor of the artist and he/she can sing whatever they want, as long as it fits a certain hype.
BUT there is still amazing music also these days, you have to search a little more.
Italo Disco is a little more particular. This is not about the image (anymore), it's only made and loved by ionate people! That also means that if you want to like it, you have to do it on your own! Because you will not hear it when you have a party at friends, or on the background in the shopping mall, or in the car waiting in traffic jams, people around you won't hype it, it won't be playing in the house when you visit your family, or when you are drinking a good beer in that great bar...

This can be good and bad. Good because it can be you own particular thing to relax on, to get away from everyday life, to feel real emotions with music, happiness, to live something unique and very special, to be different in a way also... and bad because you won't ever hear italo when you're having a great time partying with friends or any other group situation where music is part of the joy.. Generally speaking of course.

There is still some GREAT new Italo in the making these days, not only the reissues, but brand new masterpieces that can bring lots of shivers. Yes, it sometimes demands having an open mind, the new sound is different, even if the purpose was to make it sound like in the 80's. But that's ok, we evolve, 80's were 30 years ago..

That said, even if I love the idea of new releases, I'm far from loving every new release. I won't buy everything, only what I really like. I know there are much completists around here, and that's really ok, I'm just not one of those.

latscho
Mode One - Heat Of The Night, magically!!
Alden, Rude, Hasbeens & many others... Great Producers who put out Evergreens!! High Quality!!!

But most of the new releases don't flash me.
Which new records do you think are really great?
Which one is fun listening to for a longer time?
Which new song do you crank up as loudly as you can while driving through your city?

---------------------------------------
Thanks for the thoughtful replies, guys! I share so many of your opinions!
Latscho:
I TOTALLY agree about the Mode-One Heat of the Night being an all time classic! And the B side "Till the End" is also a wonderful and fun track! This maxi will be one of my favorite all time releases. The fact that it has been released just a few years ago is what makes it so amazing.

I also think that there are some other recent releases that are very worthy of being considered new classics:
Marc Fruttero Disco Silvia
Tiziana Rivale Telephone
Miko Mission Let it be Love
Savage Twothousandnine
Ryan Paris I Wanna Love You / Parisienne Girl
I could go on and on.

Aftering_at_my_way
Thanks for mentioning
Mention
23rd Under
Monika Novak etc. as these are also among my favorites.

Frosting on the cake are the wonderful re-releases that are coming out! I just hope that more releases are pressed on vinyl and that more of us these vinyl pressings. I mean no disrespect to anybody, but to me, music seems even more impressive and respectable on vinyl, as it is so much more tangible and accessible (in a physical way). Mp3s and cds / cdrs just don't have the elegance or impressiveness for me that a vinyl maxi (especially in a gorgeous 12" custom sleeve) evokes.

I feel that these wonderful releases will be amazing collectibles in the not too distant future, and I thank all of those still ing the vinyl Italo format by producing these great works and also those of us who buy and cherish them.

Aftering_at_my_way: Your observations about seeking out our own type of music and the ups and downs of having such specific taste in music (or one such taste among others) is so true! It can be a little bit isolating, because we are falling in love with tracks that are so seldom heard and shared with and by others. I have often thought about those points, and one other advantage that I have found in loving a type of music so rarely heard, is that these tracks are never overplayed and tired out for me. This is my own paradise of music, and while i often long to share it with people who love it as I do, at least these obscure gems never get played out like a commercial song that I never care to hear again.

And I agree. I buy only what I like / love. I would never want to be a completist and just buy for the sake of having.

Thanks again for your thoughts!

Aftering_at_my_way
Mention ‎- Strange World

luc9
Marc Fruttero - Disco Silvia

Thanks for the advice. Had not heard before and I like it very much!

another great one:
Fred Ventura vs. Sally Shapiro ‎– Alice

I like these new releases the most:If you don't know them you must check these out !
Alden Tyrell & Fred Ventura ‎– Don't Stop (original mix)
Gazebo - Ladies
Galaxy Hunter - Black Celebration
Mirko Hirsch - Fire
Mirko Hirsch - Best Of Friends
Loopside – File Of Love (fast version)
Riccardo Campa - Desperado
Dyva - My Love
Dyva - On Fire
Lui$ - DJ Control
Steven Perri - Dark Eyes featuring Fred Ventura (italoconnection remix)
Ken Scott - The Cat (Italoconnection re edit)

I think it's great and it keeps things interesting, specifically regarding the 2 themes my observations are:

Brand new material - very good, fully encouraged by me and kudos as long as prices are fair. Being 100% realistic though, unless these releases have multiple distributors in countries beyond the traditional places like Holland, the volumes of sale expected are quite low, under 100 in many cases. To press low quantities like this and get artwork etc sorted is expensive, hence some of the prices. Even though there is a vibrant scene in other countries like Mexico and parts of Eastern Europe, it's still hard to find distributors or resellers who can take stock and sell these at sensible prices, once you've factored in shipping and exchange rates.

Re-issues - these are either going to be bootlegs at a reasonable price but sometimes (not always) at the expense of quality, or fully legit re-issues on new and labels. I can say from multiple first hand experience that some of the prices copyright owners want to charge for track releases is stupid. I run Roller Disco Records, and have been approached by many artists, some very well known and others more with rare tracks to see if I will release, and some of the fees they want to charge are just insulting. Examples are 3000 euros for a well known and collectible record that maybe 50 people are chasing, to 3500 euros for someone who wanted me to rerelease his well known compilation, with me paying all the production and artwork / marketing costs. Some others are very reasonable with the price they want, but are not realistic about the volumes they want pressed - for example some want a minimum of 1000 pressed but these sorts of numbers are very difficult, if not impossible and its too much of a financial risk.

So overall I am very happy with these new releases, because from a label point of view there is a lot of financial risk involved in anything legitimate. It's great that there are those who are going out of their way to keep things exciting.

Some other new ones:
- Roby & Claudia - Stay
- Peter Arcade - The Fairytale
- Miko Mission ‎– Let It Be Love (original)
- Tiziana Rivale - Ash / Flame
- Marylinn - Only Mine ( Solo Mio)
- Cristalli Liquidi - Volevi Una Hit
- Magic System D.J. - Irene
- James Manoro ‎– Another Lie / Always And Forever
- Alba - Philomena (part 3 & Part 1)
- Andy Romano – Robot Matador (Vocomental Mix)
- Fred Ventura – Open Your Eyes (Vulcan Mix)

Maybe not 100% italo, but still very Italo influenced is Sally Shapiro who really deserves a warm place in here. For those who don't know yet, listen to these songs:
- Find My Soul
- I'll Be By Your Side (the original is great, but Tensnake also made a pretty nice disco housy remix of it)
- Anorak Christmas
- Moonlight Dance
- My Fantasy
- Jackie Jackie
- Spacer Woman From Mars / Mega Man II

Alant1000:
Wow. Thanks for those insider perspectives regarding the price of licensing and pressing these items. That is an eye-opener! Those kinds of prices really are prohibitive and unrealistic. I guess that we are lucky to be getting the releases that we are getting.

I do think that some of the prices are really very reasonable. The ID Limited releases have offered some collected masterpieces at only 13.90 Euro. I think that is pretty amazing. I only wish that rights holders would be more reasonable with their expectations. If these sought after gems are not repressed soon, they surely will never be.

Aftering: Thanks for those recommendations! I will be listening soon to those I don't have or don't know.

It's just like the older releases. Some I like more than others. I'm glad today still italo(ish) music is made. It keeps the genre fresh or even takes it to another level. I also like it when a new production (almost) sounds like it's made in the 80's (not that easy I think!) for example Golden Boy - Disco Hit. http://www.discogs.sitioby.com/Silver-Boy-Disco-Hit/release/3038389

The label Radio Cosmos deserves special mentioning I think.

ITALO-neon-
Lui$ - DJ Control

One of my favourites this year!

Italo-music has a big potential. It can bring joy and positivity on every dancefloor. I try to get every new release that could work as an interface between the 80s Italo-sound and modern electronic music. I think new Italo releases are necessary to bring the Italo-sound to modern dancefloors and to a new audience.
I still wasn't on a real italo electro party to get an impression how it works, but I try to come to the next partys in Den Haag.
But good new 100% Italo releases are really rare. I also like new songs that are hybrids. I just don't like, when it gets too dreamy or spacy, or the use of "tube-like" synths (hope you understand). I also don't like Electro-sound with a cold feeling.

ITALO-neon-
Loopside – File Of Love (fast version)

Aftering_at_my_way
Peter Arcade - The Fairytale

Aftering_at_my_way
James Manoro ‎– Another Lie / Always And Forever

Good songs I wasn't aware of, thanks!

Since it hasn't been mentioned in this topic so far, I have to say Dyva - "Leftover Love" is still my favourite "new" (well about 8 yrs old now) italo disco production.
One of the few modern tracks to have the lo-fi feel that I love in the old records.. sounds like synth not computer!

That is a top track George!

Getting back to 23rd under, these are also interesting:
- Tonight
- Re-flexx

Even if they never got released on vinyl yet. Still hope they will

It has been really interesting to read your messages, as unfortunately it's not so often when i get any kind of from people about the releases.
There would be so many things and views to talk about when it comes to this subject; "producing Italo tracks nowadays, 25-30 years after the golden years".
It's more than 10 years from my first production together with Fedele and many things have been changing during this time. For me personally, the biggest thing has been the change that i have had in my mind (and it has happened not that long time ago). Even if i still have strong respect for Italo legends and they ARE my heroes, i have realized that to be able to keep Italo alive, we will need new artists and sometimes something "fresh" to the tracks (and i don't mean that the new Italo tracks should sound as modern dance or anything like that). Also, i think we will need different kind of Italo releases to be able to offer "something for everybody". We all have our own taste of Italo and there still are so many different styles inside this genre. I hope you all can find some nice tracks among the Flashback productions.

There has been mentioned "the digital factor" on many of your messages. I can assure you that all of us like the "warmness" of the analog sounds and recordings and we really try to work on this matter. However, we're living in a different world as it was 30 years ago and it's just not possible anymore to do it all analog. We can use real vintage synths and it might help a little bit, but the fact that everything must be digital when sending the material to the pressing... this will have its influence.
I have released some of the tracks that have been taken directly from the old master tapes, so in these cases the whole process have been made in analog way... except the transfer to the digital masters where the tracks have been put on vinyl:
Dyva - Oh Mama Tonight 12"
Dyva - Clap Again 12" B-side
Marc Fruttero - I Wanna Live With You 12" (just re-edited)
Bruno Mosti - Stay With Me 12"
Marc Fruttero - Darkness (Turin Mix) B-side of "If You're Feeling Blue"
Bruno Mosti - Music Of My Star 12"
Modo - With Or Without You 12"

For me personally, there are many tracks that has been arranged and sound engineered really perfectly, if i think of 80s Italo sound (for example Riccardo Campa - Madness, Tiziana Rivale - Ash/Flame, Marc Fruttero - Disco Silvia, Clay Pedrini - Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Marylinn - Only Mine, Andy Romano - Tomorrow You Don't Know, Albert One - Stay (yes, Mr. Gelmetti with his old sounds), George Aaron - Russian Ladies, Felli - Everything Is Perfect etc.)... but they are digitally recorded, mixed and mastered and it can be heard if we want to hear it.

Some points of "producing view" ;o)

Lately I keep on finding lots of 80's inspired instrumental "synthesizer-music". A bit like you would find on the radio-cosmos compilations. For example:

http://synthetixmusic.blogspot.nl/2013/01/synthetix-is-back-lets-rock-2013.html?spref=fb
http://soundcloud.com/photosynthesi <= this is really great stuff

It's also the kind off stuff you can hear a lot in the latest FD-mixes: mostly nowaday's instrumental versions of italo-disco classics. Are these all bedroom-artists I wonder. :)

wiz_of_oz
Are these all bedroom-artists I wonder. :)

yes, the music is certainly for the dorm room ;)

Hi Wiz!
yes plenty of those synth stuff out there.
One that I always re-think of is a release of my friend, especially the part from 1min05:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rANhq7TqjOM
Ok, not really italo oriented, but very 80's. I was checking to release it on some friends labels, but it seems nobody was interested enough. Still a shame I think, because it's a BOMB!!!! At least to me it is.
Few months later the track was released on a digital label and so rights were lost for vinyl release.. It is now part of the immense forest of digital releases most people will probaby never hear about. A sad story, because I KNOW this would have been a great vinyl with some darker remixes and a great sleeve.

Today millions of damn beautiful digital tracks, which of course is a plus, technology is peaking like never before.. But at the end, those releases just all get lost in No Mans Land, and got forgotten easily, you don't re-discover it while digging in your collection. You are just lucky if you will ever re-listen to it in the future between your 1200060000 mp3's on your harddrive... Just another itunes icon with a title and no story..

http://www.discogs.sitioby.com/artist/Com+Truise
http://www.discogs.sitioby.com/artist/Mitch+Murder

It's even hard for me to work through all the tracks on radio-cosmos compilations. No matter how great they are. Let alone all the digital stuff. I think vinyl-releases are perfect for picking out only the best of them.

As nice as things can be nowerdays....

Nothing beats the real stuff and the memories attached to the real shit!

interesting discussion so far, agree with most of what has been mentioned.

wiz_of_oz
Lately I keep on finding lots of 80's inspired instrumental "synthesizer-music".

yes same here, I wonder if that's because it's hard to find a good vocalist (and to write lyrics for them)

Phaeax... i kind of understand the point "nothing beats the real stuff" as i have been die-hard Italo fan almost 30 years and i also think that producing masterpieces (like the best original 80s recordings are) is almost mission impossible. Also, the "warmness" of the sound, when everything has been done analogic way... it's something that can't be done these days anymore. But! In my mind, music is always music; it's notes, melodies, sounds and feelings and emotions that are coming from these things. For ME music isn't about analog recording vs. digital (it's only a very small part in music) or for ME the memories doesn't play almost any role. I do it that sometimes, when i hear a track that i haven't heard for 25 years, it might bring me some nice memories... but that's about it. I won't like the track because of those memories. Also, in my case Italo isn't "memories" even if i have lived the "golden decade" with this music. For me Italo music has been "every day life" ever since and it's a natural part of my daily life. It's just something that has continued for almost 30 years as some other old things in my life. Maybe it would have this nostalgic "memories" factor if i would have stopped listening to it and listening to it after many years would bring some kind of time period to my mind. Now it's bringing 80s, 90s, 00s, this day to my mind, pretty much equally.

I sometimes wish that Italo fans could focus more to melodies, chords, certain kind of sound structures, arrangements etc. to things that makes Italo Disco sound as it sounds; to the music itself and not that much "technical details". I feel this way and maybe that's the reason why i'm able to enjoy the new productions pretty much in the same way as the old ones. If you play a good new Italo track and an old one to people who aren't Italo fans or don't pay attention to these "technical details", they can't find any difference between the tracks. For them it sounds Italo all the way (and they usually don't like it ;o).

I started to produce these new Italos 10 years ago because i was so addicted to this music and there came the point where i couldn't discover good unheard Italo tracks anymore... or there appeared 1-2 of them within a few months. This wasn't enough for me because i wanted to hear more and more. So, i was lucky to be able to do it and to enjoy the new ones in a way i have enjoyed this music already back in the 80s.

Recently i have been wondering this "hype" of old 7" recordings which are usually sung in Italian, in Italian pop way, arranged more like Italian pop/disco of the 80s. I don't like these tracks that much... if Italo would have been like these tracks, i never would have started to listen to Italo in the first place... and i dare to think that i wouldn't be the only one. Is it because there aren't any GOOD old Italo tracks to discover anymore? Or is it that that the people's taste has just changed?

I don't say that everybody should think the same as i do and obviously you can't pretend feelings, but guys please give the new ones a chance. Separate the music itself from the contexture, from the smell of the old sleeves, your collectors' awareness that the music isn't made in the 80s... and you might be surprised, at least in some cases ;o)

If there are no good new records out I'll go back collecting old originals.
Furthermore I think the best new productions are just remakes of old classics.
New ideas, good drums, infectious refrains are hard to find nowadays.

latscho
Furthermore I think the best new productions are just remakes of old classics.
New ideas, good drums, infectious refrains are hard to find nowadays.

Not really my own opinion, but an Interesting point.
Italo's heyday is long gone, all that we may have are memories, nostalgic feelings to better times and ears to enjoy what they made back then.
For most of us here we did NOT live Italo Disco in it's heyday (there are some exceptions of course), we've just made ourselves an imaginary world of how it "would" have been based on the things we read, heared, learned... In a certain way we love Italo, like todays fans of the middle ages reading books and playing role games. Nostalgic feelings embelish the truth,

Imagine yourself being an Italo producer in the 80's.. You made what was hot at the moment to make money and get popular. You copied your neighbor and mde it your own, just like today.. Very interesing in a period were first synths were sold that made it possible to make music at home. It was new, fresh.. Unheared before. Maybe the period in time made it possible to experiment more, it was just after the 70's, in days American disco was HOT HOT.. Italians were copying the americans with the instruments they had, that let to another sound. Only a very few pioneers, but most of the rest were copiers of the hype.. Some where musically schooled and knew what they did.. like Englishmen with synth pop, like Belgians with New Beat and EBM, like germans with krautrock and electronic music, ecc.. Making music is not about a genre, only when you have to pay bills you follow a genre that will bring bread on the table or make you popular, all depends on your personality

Back then to release music you had to go through a studio, with masterng engineers, ecc... Today we ALL have a synth and can make music with a PC even without hardware = tons more releases then in the past made by people who understand music but also A LOT by people who completely don't. It's so easy, without schooled producers, mastering engineers behind them to finish the tracks..
To me there are still many many great new tracks, with original and new ideas. It doesn't sound exactly like back then, but that's just fine, it doesn't have to. We are creating our new 80's today. And people will have very nostalgic feelings about it in 30 years!

I don't get excited when listening to the radio of today, but I am with many other new songs. The music made by very professional and incredily artistic people that is still fantastic, even if not radio friendly. New music can still give you incredible goosebumps.
Don't get me wrong, I love the analog sound of the real drums, the "crazyness" of the past that sometimes let to huge original classics, and pioneers. When I want to hear those sounds I'll put on an old record and enjoy that. If i want to hear new things, then I put myself in "today-mode" and listen to music with a different state of mind.

This is a very black-white look at it, the truth is probably more grey I it, but you get the point. The only truth today is that times are different then 30 years ago, but our goosebumps can still be as high, you only have to want it and open your mind for it accordingly..
Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is the day we will wake up and make the best of it for a public of today.

I don't want to think in of black& white or grey. I want to see colors!

Here is a cool song for the Italo-dancers: Italove - Rendez Vous (Original Mix)
You already know!?

flexx70

Recently i have been wondering this "hype" of old 7" recordings which are usually sung in Italian, in Italian pop way, arranged more like Italian pop/disco of the 80s. I don't like these tracks that much... if Italo would have been like these tracks, i never would have started to listen to Italo in the first place... and i dare to think that i wouldn't be the only one. Is it because there aren't any GOOD old Italo tracks to discover anymore? Or is it that that the people's taste has just changed?

Personally I LOVE many of these weird pop/disco 7" tracks, it has kept italo-disco (and collecting) interesting for me.
On one hand you can say it's a hype, but also I enjoy the music.
But yes, if I first heard something like Ilaria Berlato 10 years ago instead of Mr. Flagio then maybe I wouldn't have bothered to dig further into the genre.

flexx70
Separate the music itself from the contexture, from the smell of the old sleeves, your collectors' awareness that the music isn't made in the 80s... and you might be surprised, at least in some cases ;o)

I agree with you here though, that it can be easy to be lost in the nostalgia side of 80s italo-disco (and I'm guilty of that as much as anyone)

flexx70
Is it because there aren't any GOOD old Italo tracks to discover anymore? Or is it that that the people's taste has just changed?

I think its some kinda deeper digging thing that happens everytime when retro comes back, in 2002 Mr. Flagio was a revelation, today we need stuff like this. In 2002 synth-pop bands got their inspiration from Kraftwerk, now from italo, 80's soundtracks and some obscure cheesy stuff. Creative attention is always shifting towards what previously was considered as a "bad taste", "bad joke'', "banality''. I dont know if there will be a next wave of 80s-fetishism, but tracks like "Everyday Boys" and like this will be true classics, our vision of a past is always changing. Even when we're searching some old stuff we always seek for something fresh, not the same old stuff.

What about italo revival, i don't think its something nice to see. It's the main reason that makes old italo irrelevant, its like erasing our own past by copying it. That's why we need to rediscover some another, or if there's no more - invent some new. That's kinda absurd.

I will play my original 80s records along with retro-productions of Andy Romano and Alden Tyrell till I'm in the grave. That's all I need.
If I want to hear something fresh and modern then I listen to other innovative music-genres.

More reissues with instrumentals please!
And no more lame remixes please, haha!

I think it's not good (or progressive) to be stuck in the past (read 80's) too long. It's nice to go back now and then but then move forward please! Somehow it's safer (or easier?) to praise the old stuff although that's not always justified. Well here we go again: old vs. new. It's an interesting battle and worth to be fought i.m.o. These battles were also fought in the past (for instance rockmusicians saying the drummachine is no real instrument) so actually that's nothing new also. ;)

Just found out this revived series of The Best Of Italo Disco. Now with subtitle: "best of italo and euro disco" (!!!). Is this make up for years of misinterpretation???? :)

http://www.discogs.sitioby.com/viewimages?release=3848287
http://www.discogs.sitioby.com/viewimages?release=4469003

23rd Under - Tears In My Mind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpvKo30tVpg

Alan Brando - One More Time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fY1vQWNTLM

wiz_of_oz
Just found out this revived series of The Best Of Italo Disco. Now with subtitle: "best of italo and euro disco"

pure moneymaking

housesweethauss
Meltwater
5 minutes ago

wiz_of_oz
Just found out this revived series of The Best Of Italo Disco. Now with subtitle: "best of italo and euro disco"

pure moneymaking

Nothing's changed. ;)

http://www.discogs.sitioby.com/Various-The-Best-Of-Disco-Fox-Vol2/release/4356216

Somehow I wish this would stop :) But ok, it was not my time, not my generation.
At least some of those who think 'Volerei' is a tight song can be happy now.

Let's blow the dust away from this topic... here's a cool Albert one track which sounds like it was released in the 80's: https://soundcloud.com/flashbackrecords/time-machine-feat-albert-one-1

I think one of the best newEr releases https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSxnVisWhpU

Yes! Lots of cool new Flashback releases! One of my favorites! Flemming remix!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBHokZPnNZ4

And such a good title

Bumped on this song yesterday. I like the melancholic atmosphere and chord-progression etc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pY-oNtJEIg

This one is also quite good i.m.o.:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9GJadnI7ws

This Russian label http://www.discogs.sitioby.com/label/260630-SP-Records-5 has got to do with it but also this Dutch label http://www.discogs.sitioby.com/label/374291-Beach-Club-Records They make great stuff from time to time!

Lovin' these new songs by Helicon and Raf Coney:
http://youtu.be/tsbpPvaS8Q0
http://youtu.be/GIwahdM2MZ0

Yes b3nn. I agree. The 4 new Flashback releases all sound great with Helicon / Raf leading the pack for me. I'll be ordering soon. Thanks for mentioning here.

juancalia
Lovin' these new songs by Helicon and Raf Coney:
http://youtu.be/tsbpPvaS8Q0
http://youtu.be/GIwahdM2MZ0

same here, 'The Net' is a bomb!
Raf still has it ;-)

OOOOOOOOOO yes, what a bombers !!!!!!
That magic Helicon sound has it's rebirth again !!!!

A must have !!!!!!

.

fantastic italo sounding song.. from totally outside the 'scene'
https://soundcloud.com/bornfreerecords/bf6

Great one that Helicon/Raf Coni (on the wantlist).

hysteric
fantastic italo sounding song.. from totally outside the 'scene'
https://soundcloud.com/bornfreerecords/bf6

Great one indeed.

New on Bordello A Parigi. Very nice.
https://soundcloud.com/bordelloaparigi/martin-duvall-all-night-original-version

Great that Martin Duvall!!

Oh and of course that other Bordello nu-italo release (already ordered here):
https://soundcloud.com/misspluginn

I am a bit speakless , a guy from Amsterdam (Martin Duvall) has made this "real Italo"
effective arrangements and some bare drum solo's .
These song keeps your attention till the end.
The only minus is missing the heavy Italian accent and maybe
a little of KITCH...............................

And o yes, the name Martin Duvall is more a name for a Police drama .

Martin Duvall....indeed this name does ring a bell with me with me too. I think of Frank Duval who did music for crimi's like Derrick and Tatort.

In the credits on soundcloud you can see that Topless ( from The Hague) did the words and music so you can say it's a cooperation between Amsterdam and The Hague and who knows what else.

ehhh... I'm not as impressed by that Martin Duvall. The song is OK but it is a modern production, with computery, modern synths and reverb (the dub / nu-disco / progressive house style reverb is very late-90s-to-present-day). Even the handclaps sound simulated, not made with old gear.

What I do like is that the whole thing has been post-processed to sound partly mono and out of phase, like some wires got crossed on the mixing desk...which I think is a nice nod to Nicolosi productions! It's nice to hear people experimenting a bit rather than just running everything through a stereo expander and all-knobs-to-eleven compressor/limiter.

I think what I really want is to hear that "mastered to cheap cassette that was left in a hot car" sound, like Wanexa - The Man From Colours.

mjb
The song is OK but it is a modern production, with computery, modern synths and reverb (the dub / nu-disco / progressive house style reverb is very late-90s-to-present-day). Even the handclaps sound simulated, not made with old gear.

I think it's not their (or Bordello's) objective to sound "vintage". That's more a goal of a label like Flashback Records.

I'm very pleased to see that you guys like Helicon and Raf Coney tracks. Loooooots of hours spent for those tracks :)

I like Martin Duvall track, but totally agree what mjb and wiz posted about this subject. Concerning "I think what I really want is to hear that "mastered to cheap cassette that was left in a hot car" sound, like Wanexa - The Man From Colours. "
...we did some experiments like this with Andy some years ago (Marc Fruttero - Disco Silvia mastering for example)... but 95% of the people didn't like it or didn't get the idea at all. Some old demos i have would sound pretty close to "Wanexa bad sound" if just mastering them and putting to the vinyl. This is what we did with "Dyva - Leftover Love".

mjb
ehhh... I'm not as impressed by that Martin Duvall. The song is OK but it is a modern production, with computery, modern synths and reverb (the dub / nu-disco / progressive house style reverb is very late-90s-to-present-day). Even the handclaps sound simulated, not made with old gear.

Same here and that horrible Dutch accent, hmmz... The synths indeed sound like a modern synthpop/goth production. The mastering is loud and sterile, regardless of the filter you mentioned. The song itself is nice though, so in the right remix hands this can be a killer.

You don't like accents and listen to italo disco? Hmmmm....

wiz_of_oz
You don't like accents and listen to italo disco? Hmmmm....

I do, but I'd rather have them genuinely Italian or German for some reason... Otherwise there's always the vocoder option http://youtu.be/tBhaKQR97ZM

flexx70
"Dyva - Leftover Love".

best song in Flashback catalog, just my opinion (..but you know that already)

little_alien
little_alien
about 11 hours ago

wiz_of_oz
You don't like accents and listen to italo disco? Hmmmm....

I do, but I'd rather have them genuinely Italian or German for some reason...

I understand you're more forgiving towards other languages than your own (Dutch). That's how it works with me at least

This (new?) one by Ryvon is rather nice i.m.o. In fact I bought it. Original version in mono though...but the Italoconnection-remix is nice enough.
http://www.discogs.sitioby.com/Ryvon-Your-Touch-Your-Eyes/release/4969261

juancalia
Lovin' these new songs by Helicon and Raf Coney:
http://youtu.be/tsbpPvaS8Q0
http://youtu.be/GIwahdM2MZ0

nice songs but why all "comeback" italo projects try so hard to copy their old classic tracks?it's kinda..... fake

housesweethauss
Meltwater
about 2 hours ago Meltwater edited about 2 hours ago

b3nn
Lovin' these new songs by Helicon and Raf Coney:
http://youtu.be/tsbpPvaS8Q0
http://youtu.be/GIwahdM2MZ0

nice songs but why all "comeback" italo projects try so hard to copy their old classic tracks?it's kinda..... fake

hehe...yes I feel with you. I wonder though if the public (or fans) would accept anything else. Think not...

Should we make this topic a sticky? So many releases to post!

One that got my curiousity by looking at the title Travel Sex - Plastic Doll. Yes, the Travel Sex we all know from Sexiness has made a new track and no it's not a cover of Dharma - Plastic Doll. It's only released on the From Russia With Italo compilation (CD) I think.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC1G5-ERUHI

This Joey Mauro production is also verry nice :

Joey Mauro - Japan Kiss :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YHEOrHEkZ4&list=UUVf9vtyD_HSG-GWPtDDeY7g

Yes, just saw this when checking out his youtube-. Lovely song!

I like the sticky idea wiz! At least it keeps popping to the top as comments get added!

Thanks for posting these! Both very cool releases...and I'm hoping that they could get vinyl release soon! Any chance Kimmo?

Nice new Italo from Ukrainian artist Electroton. The Eastern-European vocals may be a little harsh for some but of course that's why there's an instrumental version. I personally find the unique vocals refreshing for an Italo track.

http://www.discogs.sitioby.com/Electroton-Italo-Record/release/6078033

midnight_cowboy
Nice new Italo from Ukrainian artist Electroton. The Eastern-European vocals may be a little harsh for some but of course that's why there's an instrumental version. I personally find the unique vocals refreshing for an Italo track.

http://www.discogs.sitioby.com/Electroton-Italo-Record/release/6078033

yeah nice one! it's your label?

midnight_cowboy
Nice new Italo from Ukrainian artist Electroton.

Ooh that's a really nice track with all the classic ingredients. It could use more ohohohoh though ;) Just kidding!

hysteric - thank you so much for the kind words! yes it is my label split with a friend from Ukraine.

little_alien - haha! you are very right missing some of the key ingredients here with the oh's! many thanks for listenin and commenting though!

sorry for double post. having trouble with the quotes -_-

Fun track! Thanks for posting it on Soundcloud! The skateboard sound effects make it difficult to hear the great synthesizer work on Youtube. Great to see it's on vinyl! I will need at least one copy!

someone needs to make a skateboard / italo crossover vid

back when I was into it, you would only hear hip-hop or stoner metal but that clip proves italo is really the perfect skate soundtrack!

(sorry for offtopic)

luc9 - many thanks for your kind words and ! you're totally right about the skateboard sound effects. I should get that fixed.

hysteric - I agree! some more skate italo vids would be great!

Great cover also. Reminds me of Aleph - In Your Eyes!

I also like this record. Any copies available in Europe?

midnight_cowboy
skateboard / italo crossover vid

back when I was into it, you would only hear hip-hop or stoner metal but that clip proves italo is really the perfect skate soundtrack!

henrypercy - thank you! yes you could see there was definitely some influence in there whether consciously or unconsciously hehe!

dunski - thanks for the nice words! Some copies should pop up in Europe by next week!

Haha, this just came into my mind

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6UXoZ0_WTY

Fred Ventura - You and I http://youtu.be/8dWCvytV_XM
Clock On 5 - Love kills http://youtu.be/zjnF2RwxMtE

Nice ones
[quote=b3nn][/quote]

...and part 2 of Joey Mauro presents:
https://soundcloud.com/flashbackrecords/rago-rusty-wings
https://soundcloud.com/flashbackrecords/remo-zito-secret-agent

juancalia
https://soundcloud.com/flashbackrecords/rago-rusty-wings

Wow, this can be one the best of 2014 imo.
It sounds different then most fb records
Grazie Rago, What a RECORD !!!

A must have again

Here's a copypaste from Flashback Records FB-page:

"30 years ago, the world was different. We were able to enjoy many brand new Italo vinyls coming from the labels like Time Records, new tracks from our favourite artists and producers. Fred Ventura was one of the most important "Italian dance anni 80" artists... and he still is.
"Wind Of Change", "Leave Me Alone", "Imagine", "Heartbeat"... collaborations with "the father of the Time Records sound", Laurent Gelmetti... spiced with lovely female vocals of Clara Moroni. Magic.
Now this Magic is back, brought by Flashback Records on its new sub-label Time Machine Productions: Fred Ventura, Laurent Gelmetti and Clara Moroni.

"Believe Me" was composed and demo recorded 30 years ago, one of the hidden treasures from Mr. Ventura's archives. The demo track was treaten in the same way, as it probably would have been done in the mid 80s at the legendary Factory Sound Studio. The vinyl contains four different mixes by Laurent G.
The frosting on the cake is the sleeve design which is made by respecting the Asenauer's spirit, using a photo from the session made by them at the mountains of Verona in the mid 80s.

By buying this particular vinyl, you will make sure that the ride with the Time Machine will continue."

Brilliant track in my opinion... check the clips here:
http://www.discogs.sitioby.com/Fred-Ventura-Believe-Me/release/6584821

I'm enjoying this a lot http://www.discogs.sitioby.com/23rd-Under-Faces/release/6938224

Hmm, this isn't bad at all Gazebo - Reset
Preview: http://www.gazebo.info/Reset.html

The guy still has it :) Catchy songs, still a good voice without too much processing.

Hello, don't know if you might be interested but I am one of the many producing music today with the great 80s and italo disco feels. :-) I am out with a 12" vinyl release from SUNLOVER RECORDS! can listen and buy here on DISCOGS or listen on Bandcamp --> https://www.discogs.sitioby.com/it/buy/Vinyl/Andy-Fox-Tempus-Fugit/356809870
Thanks for listening... And long live the 80s! :)

The track -Tempud fugit- reminds me on th progresive trance of Digweed and Sasha in the 90ties

Thanks! :) actually the EP is a quite a mixture of synthwave, italodisco and early 90s sounds.

Panthera_new look and Aleph_machinery are for me the best till now