Alexander Robotnick :: Problemes d’Amour (Materiali Sonori, CD)

(04.12.07) Few names in the world of italo/electro will cause a greater stir than Alexander Robotnick. Robotnick AKA Maurizio Dami was at the heart of the 80’s synth pop movement and has been revered of late with re-issues and releases on labels such as Radius Records and Crème Organization. Once more, Robotnick’s signature track, “Les Problems D’Amour” is the focus with an ambitious project on Materiali Sonori entitled, surprisingly, “Problemes d’Amour.” Dami are not only giving back the original version of “Les Problems D’Amour,” but edits, unreleased versions, and an interpretation of the classic by one of the most innovative and influential artists in the realm of electronic music: Carl Craig.

The album opens with “Problèmes d’Amour – original 12″ version:” This is the full vocal version. To those unfamiliar with the track, it’s a light synthy italo number with an addictively catchy rhythm. The lyrics work well, accompanying the vintage analog lines rather than hindering them as can happen in less well conceived italo tracks. Surprisingly French vocals feature in this 1983 classic, as English lyrics became the norm of italo disco tracks in future years. Nice to start the album with the original, a classic piece of laid back spaghetti dance. The instrumental version of the track, which recently found itself re-issued on Radius Records, follows. The future lands and the sound sharpens with “USA 2006 Edit.” Vocals take a backseat, with the original lyrics vocoded into a ghost as beats and synthlines play the pivotal role. Guitar chords float in and the synths are pushed as Robotnick’s voice returns for “USA (2006 edit / 124 bpm).” The CD returns back to instrumental of the former track.

The “Underground (2006 edit / 126 bpm)” has a grittier feel. The melody remains intact, but there’s more of a dubby club element to the track. The longest track of the album follows, the epic “10th anniversary (1993).” Sinister bass lines start with the original lyric sample from the ’83 version. The track breaks, embracing many elements of the Detroit techno movement of the time. The synth pop harmonies are given a Motor City devolution, as crisp snares and rising rhythms focus. Yet, the pop elements of the italo original can still be heard. There’s a lightness to the track in comparison to much of the techno material emerging in the 90’s. The tempo rises as the keyboards are turned up and the beats soar before the track levels out into a relaxed piece of electronic music. The “USA original version” comes next. The track sounds very similar to the “2006 Edit,” but the vocals are as clear as in the ’83 version. With this, the track runs a bit longer.

Interestingly, the “Problèmes d’Amour – demo” is included. The track is enjoyably different to the ’83 original. The track has a much more basic sound, and computer feel. Sounds that are in the background in the original are extenuated in this number, such as the crisp snares and screeching synthlines. One of the highlights of the album. Carl Craig drives up next with his remix of Robotnick’s cornerstone track. The techno master rolls beats over beats, teasing the track into existence. He plays with the lyrics, cutting and sampling them but always keeps the drums going. Craig maintains a constant state of tension, never letting the break occur and just letting beats roll and float instead. The album finishes with the “Ah Ou Ah version (bootleg).” The track has some new elements, but, like many of the mixes and edits, nothing fascinatingly different.

Problemes d’Amour has elements to it. Firstly, the original is a great piece of italo disco; holding many elements that were lost as the genre became more commercialised in the late 80’s. But, overall the track is a little outplayed on this album. There are some interesting edits and mixes, but a lot sound amazingly similar. The demo is a gem, but the 2006 edit instrumental feels unnecessary and takes away from, instead of adding to, the album. The “Ah Ou Ah version (bootleg)” suffers from the same plight. Another point is that this is a CD only release. There is a limited 12″ coming out, but this is an album for DJ’s and not just for listening to. As a DJ’ing tool, say in 2LP format, the compilation would work much better as the mixes and edits could be utilised as takes on a wonderful track. As a digital album, the joy of difference is lost. Perhaps some will use it as a mixing tool, but it would have worked that much better in both formats. The album, digitalised and edited personally by Maurizio Dami, is a homage to a wonderful piece of electronic music that is now almost 25 years old. Yet, perhaps if Robotnick had added some other aspects to the album, such as unreleased tracks instead of unreleased edits, the CD would have been much more rounded.

Problemes d’Amour is out now on Materiali Sonori. [Purchase]

• Materiali Sonori
• Alexander Robotnick