Cover #3

Tequila. What can I say? I've loved it ever since Pee Wee borrowed the janitor's shoes, got up and that table and did his thing. Eww gross. I meant dancing. Originally performed by The Champs in 1959 and covered in just about every way and style possible, Tequila is a bonafide novelty classic. And more importantly, Tequila was my childhood JAM. Eight year old me rocked out to it. Hard.

In 1982 three producers named Gloves, Konnor and Trilogy (of Not Love fame) came together to bring Tequila, streamlined and synthed up, into the italo 80's. I can't thank them enough for it.

Bo Boss- Tequila

I didn't think I'd be able to make it through this post without some sort of barf joke. Ah restraint. See you Monday with a special treat!

Cover #2

We all know Popcorn right? Written by Gershon Kingsley (or a computer program if you believe the rumors) in 1969, popularized by Hot Butter in '72 and then covered by everyone from Aphex Twin to Crazy Frog (check out this list!) its a instrumental standard. The world of Italo was never one to leave a dead horse alone, so the Magic Men popped up in '83 to give the poor thing another beating. Magic Men was a pseudonym of P.L.R.D. which is itself a pseudonym for the brilliant (and alias happy) Nicolosi brothers, Lino and Pino. How cute is that? Maybe they were twins or something. Anyway, they pull it off. Using their trademark sound they'd later popularize on tracks for Valerie Dore, Domina and Mike Rogers, they create a propulsive track that could almost be some new Kris Menace or Lifelike track. That is, until those little Popcorn blips come in.

Magic Men- Popcorn

Here also is the dub mix which spaces the track out and minimizes the ummm... "popcorning".

Magic Men- Popcorn (Dub)

Third and final cover tomorrow!

Cover #1

I've been meaning to post these three songs for awhile. They're all covers of (mostly) instrumental classics and for whatever reason I have them all grouped together mentally. Most of them are pretty "Italo 101" but they're worth another listen regardless of how many times you've heard them...

No matter how much of a jaded, bearded disco freak you are, I'm pretty sure that somewhere deep inside, you love The Hustle. Sure, it's cheesy, it's played out but come on. When your little sister gets married and you're feelin "a little buzzed", Van McCoy will start up and you'll be out on that floor lookin stupid with everybody else. Don't be embarrassed. Here's a little 1983 update on the classic with a whole lot of that italo warmth, oodles of springy synths and for good measure, a rapper (of the "A rip, a rap, a rippity rap" variety).

Talko- The Hustle (Extended Mix)

Cover #2 tomorrow!

The Forces of Light

On this little piece of galactic joy, Chromium along with superproducer Trevor Horn, invite you to join The Forces of Light. Genuinely evil folk need not apply.

Chromium- Forces of Light

Making Medical History

This one's for all you role players out there. No, not D&D. You know, like the sexy kind. Jeez. You guys are such nerds. Natalie Ann (whoever you are!) sounds great, all nonchalant and icy as she gets dolled up like its frat boy Halloween and plays some doctor games.

Natalie Ann- Doctor Games

I just have to point out how rad it is when that heart rate monitor beep turns into an arpeggiating synth on that last chorus. It rules.

Rondo!

I was listening to Justice's rejected Fabric mix today and while I was more than a little underwhelmed with the mix by the time it was over, I've gotta say the first five minutes are pretty flawless. Especially with this little beauty sandwiched right between Sparks and Goblin. Mmm, Sandwich. I've never heard of Rondo Veneziano but after hearing this and seeing the above video, I think I have to thank Justice for introducing us. I think we're going to be very happy together.

Rondo Veneziano- La Serenissima

Creme De La Creme

Post 200! This calls for the big guns. How about something with a nice disco rhythm, bouncy bassline, a wobbly acid didgeridoo type thing and on top of that, that Andy Samberg lookin dude up there, singing in the most ridiculous warbly falsetto I've ever heard? Afraid? You should be. This is a big fat slice of insanity. Crazy pie. Cuckoo cake. You get the picture. I was listening to this today and I thought there was something so familiar about his voice... Though he reminded a little of Mrs. Garrett from The Facts of Life (Girls!) I knew that wasn't exactly it. Thirty seconds into playing for my girlfriend she nailed it, Casey and His Brother from Tim and Eric Awesome Show. That's sooo it right?

You HAVE to check out the lyrics over at the indispensable Bide Et Musique. Here's just a little snippet of the madness that awaits you...

I wish she were here
Hot ! Hot ! Hot ! Hot ! Hot !
Blood
(Hot ! Hot ! Hot !)
Panties in black in my baby cart
She makes me sing
Do ré miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Whoa.

Waylon- Creme De La Creme

And just for comparison, the late Casey and His Brother with Hamburgers and Hotdogs...

Pacific!

Are we all familiar Pacific! yet? Blending 80's electro pop, sunny California 60's pop and a touch of disco these Gothenburg boys are someone to watch. Runway to Elsewhere is a their only instrumental track that starts out with a synth lead straight out of Secret Service's Oh Susie (check here) and quickly moves into a glittery disco workout ala Alan Braxe. You love it.

Pacific!- Runway to Elsewhere

Myspace here, Sunset Boulvard 12" here, Number One 12" here, Break Your Social System 12" here.

Coconut Airways

Lately I've been digging a lot of 70's top 40 stuff, maybe it's just a natural reaction to the weather outside. It's pretty grey and uninviting out there these days and I think all this sunny pop music is just what I need.

The brilliantly named Typically Tropical was a studio project of Jeff Calvert and Geraint Hughes (aka Max West) devised after Calvert's own trip to Jamaica. It was a big hit in Europe but unfortunately, were doomed to be one hit wonders. Though they did later co-produce Judas Priest's "Sad Wings of Destiny". What? Really? They produced "Ripper"?

Typically Tropical- Barbados

Super cool videos here and here.

Deluge Loves (Parentheses)

My girlfriend found the best record of the Amsterdam trip and I'm a little jealous. I found some good stuff and all, but it was mostly albums I've had digitally and finally came up on the vinyl. You know, cool, but nothing new to me. However Jesse was combing through all these 45s and buying whatever had cool looking covers or funny titles because hey, they're cheap and she makes these really awesome calendar books with them. As you can see, the cover's amazing, with it's windblown hair, leather jackets and neon brooms, and it has a funny title, Broom (With Me). It's really good too. Broom (With Me) is an uptempo Ganymed-esque number with some great vocals and spacey synths, but the b-side is where it's really at for me. On Not Easy (To Love) they knock the tempo down to a plodding thump and just get really out there. Let's call it... Cosmicbluesyarenapoprock. Unless you have something better to call it. Here's the whole 45 in nice little zip.

Deluge

Thanks Jesse. You rule.