V/A - Disco Italia: Essential Italo Disco Classics 1977 - 1985

The influence of ‘Italo’, the Italian disco sound of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, has never been more prevalent than on today’s dance-floors. Acts from Felix Da Housecat to Prins Thomas to Hot Chip and beyond, have all released productions which tap into the epic, spacey energy and synth-heavy style. In fact, Italo played a key role in the early history of dance music, with legendary DJs such as Larry Levan and Ron Hardy regularly playing the sound at influential 80’s nightspots, Paradise Garage and The Music Box. Disco Italia brings together classics and rarities from the main producers of the period, including Claudio Simonetti, Giancarlo Meo, Peter Micioni and Tullio Piscopopi. The album features Italian and English vocals set atop thick basslines and funky guitar licks; brass and strings are merged with the characteristic ‘Italo’ synths, whilst a selection of tracks get given sneaky re-edits by compiler Steve 'Chicken Lips’ Kotey.