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[this journal contains downloadlinks in the songtitles (the MP3's are temporary online: one week!), if you are the copyright holder of a song posted here, message me and I'll take them down]

Italo-disco is a genre that was generally made in the 80's, especially by Italian artists/DJs. It's characterized by the typical synths, a distinct bassline, and often a vocoder and special sound effects are used.
In this journal, I give you some of my favourite italo-disco tracks (and some information).
Enjoy!

I begin with a somewhat special case in the "history" of italo-disco: In '78, Bernard Fevre and Jackie Giordiano -together as "Black Devil"- recorded the LP 'Disco Club' in Paris, using synths, occasional tape loops and a drummer...no midi or computers were involved.(source: Discogs)

In 2004, Richard D. James aka Aphex Twin must have noticed the record because he re-released some songs of Black Devil on his Rephlex label, and Luke Vibert remixed their track 'Timing, Forget The Timing', using the pseudonym Kerrier District.
This year, as 'Black Devil Disco Club' Bernard Fevre released the LP '28 After', which has (only) 6 tracks. Those tracks have the same sound as the 'Disco Club' LP, so I think that these songs are outtakes from the old recording sessions as Black Devil...but I'm not sure.
The music is difficult to categorize; I consider it italo-disco avant-la-lettre. The most important is the music itself: It's somewhat "dark" but very catchy! :p Listen yourself
>Black Devil Disco Club - The Devil In Us [‘78 / 2006?]
>Black Devil - Timing, Forget The Timing ['78]
EDIT: recently 'In Dub' was released, an album with dub versions and remixes (by Prins Thomas, In Flagranti, Quiet Village etc.) of the songs from '28 After'.


> Kano - It’s A War [‘80]
Kano had six members (including two bass-players) and were quite popular, especially with their hit singles 'I'm Ready' and 'Another Life'. 'It's A War' is my favourite Kano track. It's got nice synthtunes.
Click here to see the song "performed". He's very flexible as you'll see (the robot-dance!) and there are two ladies dancing with him: funny choreography! Only the singer performed, the other Kano-members couldn't dance I guess :D


> Dharma – Plastic Doll [‘82]
This song is very good, nice synths, maybe you recognize the intro.
Btw, 'Plastic Doll' is produced by Luciano Ninzatti (guitarist of Kano).


> The Flirts – Passion [‘82]
The girls of The Flirts made a nice, sensual interpretation of 'Passion' by Rod Stewart, with the help of legendary disco/synth-pop producer Bobby Orlando.
Extra: Felix da Housecat 'used' the bassline and guitarriff for his 'Silver Screen, Shower Scene' track.


> Casco - Cybernetic Love [‘83]
This was the biggest hit of the Italian DJ-producer Casco. It's a relaxing pop-song (and it includes a telephone conversation and a robot-vocoder) :p
Some of his tracks were recently remixed by Bangkok Impact and Dexter.


> Charlie - Spacer Woman [‘83]
A cool track including a vocal of a woman acclaiming to be a "spacer woman" > nnnice! :)
This song was the inspiration for the club hit 'Frau' by Pandullo vs. Und that was recently remixed by Boys Noize (and it's a cool pounding remix!).
Vitalic used 'Spacer Woman' in his Colette compilation (2005).


> Mr. Flagio - Take A Chance [‘83]
This track by the one-hit-wonder trio Mr. Flagio is one of the most well known italo-disco tunes. Heavy use of vocoder :p


> Digital Emotion – Go Go Yellow Screen (12” version) [‘84]
This is it, this is it...one of my favourite tracks ever! This has it all: an impressive intro, pumping synths, nice bass line, cool sound-effects ("laser beams" and explosions), simple, funny lyrics (that make no sense actually),...
Here you can see them perform it (a shortened version of course). And yes, the choreography is silly! Learn it and watch the yellow screen!

> Fawzia – Please, Don’t Be Sad [‘86]
I couldn't find much information about Fawzia or the song, except that it was produced by Oderso Rubini (also produced italo-disco groups Gaznevada and N.O.I.A.).
It sure is a beautiful song.
EDIT: It appeared on the recently released italo-disco compilation 'Confuzed Disco: A Retrospective Of Italian Records', an excellent (two disc) compilation of Italian italo-disco. The second disc features remixes done by Radio Slave, Morgan Geist, Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas and Kaos.


> Mike Mareen - Love Spy ['86]
This is also one of my favourite pop singles ever: The synths are so great.
The German Mike Mareen sure takes it all not to seriously >watch him "performing" (obviously playback) it in a yellow raincoat and wearing very big (clown?)glasses.
Well, 'Love Spy' is just pure fun, like all italo-disco :)