On Thursday I woke up, had brunch with friends and was picked up by my girlfriend and her sister to go to Target. Honestly, I was pretty excited. I like Target. To my surprise, I was being kidnapped and taken to Amsterdam for my 30th birthday. Damn, no Target. 
At one point in this little 1984 ditty, the male singer says through a thick accent, "If you come in my yellow house, I will be your little mouse". If that doesn't make you want to hear this song then I don't know what else will. Except maybe the super awesome production, catchy hooks and synth vibraphone action. You'll probably want to hear that too.
Remember Alien Delon? Our Russian friend so adept at crafting sad robot songs? Well, as I mentioned previously, hes also quite good at bringing his quirky italo influenced sound to the dance floor. "Light Is On" has been a popular number around my house for months, helping me through a number of especially difficult housecleanings and sleepy mornings, and it's time for you folk to share in the magic.
Daso has recently jumped over to Spectral but his unique take on techno, thankfully remains intact. Starting out easy, yet propulsive, Meine chugs along with telephonic chirps, picking up chords here, panning synths there, all moving together toward this hypnotic, whirling vortex of bliss.
This is SO my Italo track of the moment. Produced by synth wizard Roberto Ferrante (aka. Pineapples! I love Pineapples!) in 1985 with Clio Bianco of Clio & Kay on vocals, its an exercise in what one should do, if one was to find oneself alone, with a synthesizer, drum machine and rad 80's vocalist.
I'm going back to Ojai for a family fun-tastic Thanksgiving, but don't be sad. I'll find my way back home to ARAWA next week.
The production's so tight on this. Minimal yet lush, funky, smooth and that drum beat... who needs cymbals when you can keep it this funky with a kick and a snare? Its the sound of you and your girl (or boy) out late, eyes fixed on each other, under the lights, for all you know the only ones left on the floor. This is Couples Only Skate people.
Over sumptuous strings, congas, horns, vibraphones and of course, his nimble guitar work, J.J. Cale (the reigning king of ARAWA road trips) kicks up his feet, and tells us how to treat a lady. Listen up kids, he sounds like he knows what he's talkin about.
