In fairness, italo should not belong to such a list. True, this synth pop, born in Italy around 1980, has some chequered names under its banner. However, there is a rich seam of musical gold when it comes to spaghetti dance. Chris and Robbie (WE FORFEIT) have dug deep into their collections to bring a split session that takes up the story of this analogue pop phenomenon from the very beginnings to its modern day incarnation.
An analogue pop phenomenon to its modern day incarnation
WE FORFEIT is all about the guilty pleasures. Breakfast in bed. Cream in the cornflakes. Battered fried slice in with the coffee. When it comes to musical guilty pleasures, italo disco is pretty high up on the lads’ list.
In fairness, italo should not belong to such a list. True, this synth pop, born in Italy around 1980, has some chequered names under its banner. However, there is a rich seam of musical gold when it comes to spaghetti dance. Chris and Robbie have dug deep into their collections to bring a split session that takes up the story of this analogue pop phenomenon from the very beginnings to its modern day incarnation.
Robbie gets the disco ball spinning in 1980 with Number One Ensemble, bringing us right up to 2014 with Alden Tyrell, as A Visitor from Another Meaning, and Fred Ventura. In between we traverse this ridiculously catchy sound with offers from Den Harrow, Brand Image, Forbidden Fruit and the indominable M&G’s When I Let You Down amongst others.
A more modern vision of the style is also on display with three pieces from one of the progenitors of italo, Fred Ventura. Ventura was there at the birth of the sound and has been instrumental in the reshaping and reinterpretation of the style for a new generation. Robbie was lucky enough to interview Fred Ventura for Bordello A Parigi recently.
Chris takes over with an italo inspired forty minute mix with classics from the likes of Model 500 weaved with timeless gems from the unforgettable Kano and Lime. Edits come care of Madrid’s very own Frigio Records with one of the godfathers of Rimini revivalism featuring in the form of Flemming Dalum.
The Summer is here, let it in! WE FORFEIT.
Tracklist ::
Number One Ensemble :: Love Express (Radio)
Number One Ensemble :: Down To The Disco (Radio)
Den Harrow :: To Meet Me (Hole Records/Hispavox)
Squash Gang :: I Want An Illusion (ZYX Music)
Angie :: Clouds (CBS)
Brando :: Rainy Day (ZYX Music)
Brando :: What Now My Love (Victoria)
Duke Lake :: Do You (Memory)
Brand Image :: Are You Loving (ZYX Music)
Forbidden Fruits :: Disco Halloween (Delivery)
Daniela Poggi :: Break Up (Hysteric Edit) (Bordello A Parigi)
Fred Ventura, Alden Tyrell & I-f :: Streets Allright (Viewlexx)
A Visitor From Another Meaning feat. Fred Ventura :: Neon Lights (Bordello A Parigi)
Fred Ventura :: When I Let You Down (Savino Remix) (Bordello A Parigi)
M&G :: When I Let You Down (Sensation)
Denis & Denis :: Ti I Ja (Bartoszeck Edit) (Frigio)
Night System :: Flight to Zanzibar (Flemming Dalum Remix) (Cyber Dance)
Kano :: Another Life (Full Time)
Model 500 :: The Chase (Smooth Mix) (R&S)
Time :: Shaker Shake (Dub Version) (Fly Music)
Vertical67 :: Let’s Dance (Magic Waves)
Evelyn Thomas :: High Energy (Record Shack)
Lime :: Do Your Time On the Planet (Polydor)
Visit WE FORFEIT at weforfeit.blogspot.com.
