Xenon – Galaxy [ZYX]1983
The ultimate slomo spaced out robo-funk jam, it stalks the dancefloor. The mixture of the slow ominous bass, circling rhythms and pitched down vocoded vocal help build an uneasy sense of being lost in a far off solar system, before the triumphant, arms outstretched synth line deliver the promise of better things to come on a newly found planet. The Xenon name itself being an early eighties club in Florence where resident DJ, Marizio Dance started a label encompassing various producers who were regular patrons. ‘Galaxy’ is reminiscent in many ways in its slow galactic funk of the track ‘The Fog’, by long time Forza favourite Riccardo Cioni. I perhaps should have listed the the original on the Xenon label, but for my money the Battlestar Galactica style artwork marks the ZYX release the best version of this record to track down.
Ben Richardson – Skydiver [Numero Uno] 1979
The original and best version of this track. Although the cleaned up ‘81 version under the name of Neon probably gets more play. For me you have to have that initial rush of speaker popping bass that takes you into the mind of the fastly descending skydiver. The lyrics themselves however reveal the singer to be less concerned with adventure sports than getting home to take care of his girl. As was common at the time, the record was released under an anglicised pseudonym. Many of these names now seem quite amusing in their plain, meat and potato like simplicity, certainly compared to their far more interesting and exotic namesakes. This is something we try to readdress with Forza. The man behind this track was actually Celso Valli, the Italian disco don, involved with many projects including a personal favourite, Peter Richard’s ‘Walking in Neon’. Valli was also behind disco outfit Tantra as well as RAF, whose track ‘Self Control’ was subsequently covered with cross over success by ’80s temptress Laura Branigan. With a superb sci fi sleeve and red vinyl this 12” is the complete package.
Jody J – Les Americains [Dynamo Sound Studio] 1983
This record is a firm personal favourite which sadly seems to be a one off hit by Turin DJ Jody J. Typical in many ways of how I came across a lot of Italo tracks, I first heard it in a mix where it stood out and I fell in love with the squelching duck-like synth and earnest vocal. Then came the task of identification, which turned into quite the epic search. The effort was worth it though when the record arrived and I first put it on the turntable. It is one of those feel good Italo tracks that never fail to put a grin on my face, equal parts nonsense and magnificence. Although a one hit wonder, Jody has been spotted doing a live rendition of this track over one of his DJ sets at a reunion party in Italy a couple of years ago. Therefore a future appearance on the Forza Terrazza cannot be ruled out.
M&G – When I Let You Down [Sensation Records] 1986
A double-A side hammer which along with along with similarly well endowed 12” B.W.H-Stop/Living Up belongs in every Italo fans collection. It’s an out and out dance floor filler and firm Forza favourite. Covered many times most notably by the likes of Robert Tomansi and Fred Ventura with Alden Tyrell as well as flipped vocal, paced-up version by G&M ‘Don’t Let You Down’. The original though is the killer complete with the excellent B-side of ‘Boogie Tonight’ which is a cracking tune in it’s own right. The gentlemen behind the M and the G were Marco Galli and Maurizio Sangineto. As a precursor to the German based GI house practitioners of the early ‘90s, Sangineto worked with vocalists stationed at the US military base near to his home of Vicenza and went on to form several hugely successful groups including Firefly and The Creatures.
Mike Rogers – Just a Story
The swooning slightly disinterested, romantic vocal detailing an unrequited love, combined with the melancholic yet uplifting synths and strings make this an absolute belter in my eyes. It is the contrast that makes it, at the same time both mournful yet uplifting. It encapsulates the positive and negative emotions of the more romantic side of Italo. Produced by the three prolific Nicolosi brothers who were the masters of this sound. Other classics from their stable include the much sort after ‘Distant Planet’ by The Voyagers as well as more well known tracks such as Valerie Dore’s ‘The Night’ and ‘Get Closer’. The artwork on the cover features Mike aka Marco Zani staring pensively into the middle distance, bringing a classic ‘Miami Vice’ stance with a European bent, complete with loose cream linen jacket and red rose. A winning formula.
