(12.03.06) Since its beginning, Diskokaine has been releasing high quality electro
music. The releases have shifted genre, from electro, to more house centered
tracks and italo and synth pop records. It is the last genre that the label
is once more releasing, again in the form of Sally Shapiro.
In May of 2006, the I’ll Be By Your Side 12″ introduced the airy lyrics of
Sally Shapiro with the synth play of Johan Agebjörn to the electro masses.
The record was a neo italo disco hit. The track, looked and felt as though
it had come straight from 1983 Milan, the Austrian imprint resembling the
output of legendary Italian labels such as Discomagic or Il Discotto. It is
this fabulous single that starts off Sally Shapiro’s first album: Disco
Romance.
“I Know” follows “I’ll Be By Your Side.” The love song content continues,
but this time Augebjörn, an ambient artist in another walk, opens up his
synth play much more. The track has an aged synth pop vibe, light, but with
some very upbeats chords and movements. Some excellent analog solos drop
through the track. “Find My Soul,” to excuse the pun, is a much more soulful
piece. Shapiro’s lyrics drench track, rolling and rising in this emotive pop
work. “Time To Let Go” stays on the lovelorn road. Aching italoesque lyrics
and unrequited chords create a dreamy, teary 80s number.
Cheer returns to the LP with the aptly titled “Anorak Christmas.” Love and
desire, transmitted through the ageless medium of the synthesizer, are the
keystone of the track. Like its namesake, the track has an unmistakable
Christmas feel – strange, but it works well. A track that will have the
sneakers tapping and the hairdos bobbing. “Hold Me So Tight” moves into more
upbeat territory. A wonderfully layered track with some superb synth lines
care of Mr Augebjörn. One of the many high points of the album.
“Find My Soul” features once more, but this time in the form of the
“Norwegian Electrojazz Mix” of the track. It’s never an exciting thing when
an album remixes a track already featured on the track list. It’s a good
tune, but something new would have fit much better. “Sleep In My Arms” is
the come down track of the album. The track reflects Augebjörn’s ambient
side. A relaxing, refreshing track that ends the album well.
The Digipack has a bonus treat by one of the most talented electro artists
to come out of The Netherlands: Rude 66. Rude 66 has been making waves in
the world of electro for some years now, releasing on labels like Bunker,
Crème and Viewlexx. Here the electro maestro turns his hand to “I’ll Be By
Your Side” with his “808 remix.” It’s a great remix which holds onto aspects
of the original but twists them to Rude 66’s darker electro leanings, such
as electrosizing Sally Shapiro’s vocals through a vocoder.
Disco Romance opens up what Shapiro and Augebjörn are capable of. The
album does not read solely as an italo record, as the precursory single
might have suggested. The duo swing and slide within the realm of electro,
shifting from italo disco, to synth pop and back into electro.. even ambient.
The album never really strays from the light vocal of Shapiro, meaning that
a happy, yet soulful, composition remains throughout. In many respects,
Disco Romance echoes some of DMX Krew’s early material, but with much more
of a European influence. The partnership have create a neo electro pop
album, a sound that cherishes the style of the 1980s synth disco movement
whilst adding new elements, perspectives and influences to the mix. Full
lengths can always be a stumbling block for fledgling imprints, but
Diskokaine, with artists Shapiro in its arsenal, has more than overcome this
primary obstacle with an infectious, catchy and clever album.
Disco Romance is out now on Diskokaine.
