(July 2009) It seems that with ever passing year the Italo train is gaining steam. The hooks and synth melodies of spaghetti dance have permeated clubs across Europe and has influenced a whole new generation of 1980s pop addicts. But, italo disco had quite a short hay day. It’s not clear why this synth sound took off in Italia, Canadian disco is a similar tale. Many claim that absence of a “disco sucks” movement, coupled with a growing European market, insulated and nurtured italo disco. Yet, this nurturing bubble and popularity was soon recognized by producers. Italo can be almost classed into two periods, that of the early and late 80s. The early period saw a host of timeless hits on labels such as Il Discotto, Memory Records and Discomagic; the latter period saw the sound carved up and commercialized into slick soulless products. This is not a steadfast rule, but an accepted criticism. Italo, like much of the music of the 1980s, was not as much artist centered but producer driven. Catchiness was the raison d’etre, with producers such as Tony Carrasco, Salvatore Cusato, Alessandro Novaga, Stefano Pulga and Allessandro Zanni (to name but a few) issuing 80s synthesizer gold. Many producers created amazing italo classics, but under the radar. A dutch label, I Venti d’Azzurro Records, is on an italo revival mission. The label has delved into the past of Italo disco, bringing back tracks by Brian Ice, Dario Dell’Aere and recently Ken Laszlo. I Venti have looked into the past and found two producers who subtly shaped italo whilst creating timeless tracks: Manlio Cangelli and Marcello Catalano.
Manlio Cangelli has an intimidating italo CV. Cangelli not only produced a number of gems but wrote classic pieces such as Jerry Moon – Over and Over, B.Rose – Hey D.J. and Scotch – Penguin’s Invasion. I Venti have peered into Cangelli’s back catalogue and unearthed five lost italo rarities. The EP, entitled New Dream, starts with one of the jewels in the Cangelli crown; Clay Pedrini: “New Dream.” The track, brought to many ears by the mixes of Intergalactic Gary and radio streams of Intergalactic FM, is, to paraphrase I-F, is an air synthesizer dreamboat. The track is unashamedly addictive, working its magic to the italo formula of amazingly memorable hooks and difficulty deciphered anglo-italian lyrics. Definitely one of the italo tracks to fill a dancefloor. The more obscure Blue Russell: “I Wanna Fly Away” follows. The male vocals are substituted for female, but the anglo-italian vocals remain. Cangelli, responsible for the arranging and production of this track, created a up-tempo love lament of passionate vocals and buoyant synthlines. A long hidden treasure starts the b-side, the immensely addictive “Disco Halloween” by Forbidden Fruits. The track is a medley of gripping sythesizers and crazily quirky vocals, a piece that has eluded many collectors until now. One, Two and “Night Dancer” follows, a track originally released on the Dance All Day EP on Discomagic in 1984. Perhaps the most obscure track on New Dream, being a b-side from some 25 years ago, a darkish disco track for back alley noir clubs and synthesizer junkies. In nice form the 12″ ends with an instrumental version of Clay Pedrini and “New Dream,” stripping the track of its vocals to leave behind an amazing synthesizer solo piece.
Marcello Catalano follows with Flash in your Mind. Catalano may not be as well known as Cangelli, but unarguably has a seriously impressive back catalogue. Undoubtedly Catalano’s most well known work is on Klapto’s “Mister Game,” but I Venti have sourced some of his rarer material for this four tracker. The EP moves into the latter period of italo disco, with two tracks coming from 1987. The record opens with Air Mail: “Flash in your Mind,” taken from Lombardoni Publishings, where Catalano not only produced but lent his lyrics. The production is much slicker than compared with the 1984 outings of Cangelli and moves into more pop territory. Ken Scott with “The Voice I Feel Inside” follows. The track has all the elements of a late Superradio Records track, holding the style but something being diluted in the flawless design. The flipside seems to take the record in the right direction, with the epic Thomas and “Another Game.” The 1986 production is a powerhouse of italo passion, pouring synthesizer gold from the speakers whilst Catalano’s own lyrics blend. The 12″ goes back to the past for its finale, Daryl Scott (any relation to Ken?) and “I Need You Now.” The 1984 track has laid back and easy analogue aspect and would find its way happily into a downtempo mix.
As the years pass, Italo Disco’s popularity seems to be growing. The only worry with Italo is that there were some serious clanger releases made that were cheese covered cash cows with no real merit. But it would appear that most emerging italo ears are of a discerning quality, and some of the later horrors of the genre have been banished to the past. I Venti are an imprint bringing back the cream of Italo, the lost tracks and the super rarities to a market that seems to be growing with swelling hearts aching for spaghetti dance.
Both releases are out now on on i Venti d’Azzuro Records.
