Duke of Burlington - Flash '83

Mario Battaini (aka The Duke of Burlington) cut an updated version of his 1969 funk classic in 1983 for Proto Records with this version of Flash. The original is a rare groove classic that would drive any rare soul collector madcap with excitement.

The Duke of Burlington - Flash (1969)

Fourteen years later the Duke of Burlington updated Flash with a fresh new look for the 1980s. With Tony Carrasco (see previous post) behind the boards it was done properly for the new era. The groove and changes remained but the addition of well arranged arpeggios and synthesizers allowed for a tasteful redux of a soulful classic.

The Duke of Burlington - Flash '83 (download)

Bandeaux and Gazebo

A wonderful song from Bandeaux, Black & White was written by Gazebo and Romano Musumarra and produced by Mario Tagliaferri. This production is super clean and the use of the stuttering vocals and signature delayed guitar part makes me want to listen to it over and over again. Gazebo is better known for the track "I Like Chopin" a whimsical ballad that was one of my first entries into Italo.



Bandeaux - Black & White (Club Mix) (download)

Maurizio Sangineto, James Otis White Jr. and The Armed Gang

James Otis White Jr- Baby Come On

Such a funky track! This one is from James Otis White Jr. I have to admit, I heard this on Intergalactic FM 2 today and had to get it up here. 1983, Italy, serious funk. Produced by Maurizio Sangineto (aka Sangy) for Musix Records. They also collaborated as The Armed Gang. Sangy hooked up with US soldiers stationed in his hometown of Vicenza to produce these funky Italo-R&B crossover slammers. This is that boogie sound of early 80s that is so fresh I just cannot get sick of it.



James Otis White Jr. - Baby Come On(download)

David Davil, Riccardo Gnerucci and more

David Davil - Men of My Generation

I can't get enough of this song and the video only makes it better. A home brewed production from 1983, the video is a fun mix of video effects and it looks like everyone had a good time filming it. Produced by Riccardo Gnerucci for SPQR records, he also produced Shadow of the Night by King Kong in 1984 for Sensation Records.


King Kong - Shadow of the Night

David Davil - Men of My Generation (download)

Felix Mangione and Mata Hari

Mata Hari - Mata Hari

Produced by Felix B. Mangione for Blanco Y Negro in 1987. Felix also produced one of my favorites, "I Want and Illusion" from The Squash Gang as well as some other fun tracks.

Mata Hari - Mata Hari (download)

Digital Emotion

Digital Emotion - Go Go yellow screen

"Formed in Denmark in mid-1983, Digital Emotion recorded two memorable albums of their funky electronic dance music. Their 1984 self-titled debut outing, which featured such infectious dance tunes as "Get Up, Action" and "Go Go Yellow Screen", was followed by Outside In The Dark, a year later. Both albums were produced the production team of Adam and Flesiner, whose past credits include overseeing recordings by the Videokids, Monotones, l-Vira and Q-Matic." (from Allmusic.com)

"Go Go Yellow Screen" by Dutch group Digital Emotion is about as solid as they come. Produced by Adams & Fleisner, this partnership produced a lot of hi- nrg electro for Break Records in the 1980s. Their style seems to have been co-opted by bubble gum dance groups from the 90s (aka Aqua and Venga Boys).

Digital Emotion - Get Up Action

Digital Emotion - Go Go Yellow Screen (download)

Finzy Kontini - Cha Cha Cha

I have been having a lot of fun with this one lately. Another title from disco power-house Carrere. Co-produced by Fabrizio Baldoni and Bruno Rosellini, it was tough for Finzy Kontini to top Cha Cha Cha but they tried with "Clap Your Hands," "O La La," and more. But the best follow up (in my humble opinion) was "Night in Paris." Finzy Records was started in 1989 and they continued releasing records through 1993.


Fintzy Kontini - Cha Cha Cha

Finzy Kontini - Cha Cha Cha (download)

Finzy Kontini - Night in Paris (download)

Glam, Clio, and Robert Ferrante

"More Than Ever" by Glam is an epic track from Italy circa 1985. This one gets a lot of play in Italo mixes I have heard online as well as internet radio. So naturally I felt compelled to put it up here. The clipped and repeated vocals give it a sampled sensibility and the signature delayed synth tones make this song hard to ignore. Produced by Robert Ferrante and Clio, who also collaborated on Clio's "Faces." Both "Faces" and "More Than Ever" feature Negel inspired album artwork from Patrizio Squeglia.


Glam - More than Ever


Clio - Faces

Glam - More Than Ever (download)

Clio - Faces (download)

RobotDJ.net & More Mixes Online

Looking for more mixes than you can shake a stick at? Then get over to RobotDJ.net where you will find more mixes than you could possibly keep up with.

I put up a few new mixes in the 'Mixes Online" section. Be sure to check there for a few fun ones, including:

Casionova - "Fantasy Island"

Flemming Dalum - Boogie down rimini