Review: Since lending Cosmic Disco legend Daniele Baldelli a hand with his Cosmic Disco, Cosmic Rock mix a few years back, Marco Dionigi has been a man on a mission. He's released more music in the last 18 months than most producers achieve in a lifetime, and shows no signs of letting up. This latest five-track missive is something of a concept EP, an atmospheric set that fuses Arabic sounds and samples with his own distinct take on cosmic and nu-disco. The suitably wonky "One Day In Cairo" - like Egyptian Lover after a night on strong acid - is probably the pick, but it's all worth checking.
Review: If Marco Dionigi is anything like as prolific as he was in 2010, 2011 is going to be another bumper year for fans of his updated Italo disco sound. Ice & Wood sees him in typically dancefloor-friendly mood, laying down another 10 road-tested grooves for discerning disco DJs. As usual, there's a range of moods and styles on offer, slipping between the slap bass-wielding deep house niceness of "Open Source Obscure" and retro analogue filth of "World In Hands" and "Vanguard" which are interspersed with intergalactic oddness "Mantis Girl" and middle eastern electro "Mirror Faces". As ever, it's more obviously disco-centric tracks that really impress, with "On The Record" and "Keep Holding On" standing out.
Review: Jerome Derradji's excellent Still Music sub-label, Stilove4music, continues to trickle its stunning back catalogue into the digital domain for the first time, and this week it's the turn of Mancunian deep haus don Trus'me. This was the 12" that first turned the world's gaze onto the Prime Numbers boss's brilliant knack for jazzy, sample based house (along with the now legendary Nards CD sampler). And it's "Nards" that opens this release, with the tense strings, funkafied bassline and sultry vocal snatches sounding as brilliant today as they did upon first release in 2007. Add to this the languid title track - predating the current vogue for slo-mo house by some 18 months - and rolling groove of "Good God", featuring a vocal sample of the legendary Teddy Pendergrass, and you have an absolutely essential release.
Review: It's becoming harder and harder to review Marco Dionigi releases without resorting to phrases like "the prolific Italian" and "his umpteenth release this year". The problem is, he is prolific, and he does release a lot of music. Here he returns after what seems like a few days away with another reliably solid collection of disco-flecked, sample-heavy dancefloor grooves. By now, we should all know what to expect: a selection of road-tested cuts that take in acid, contemporary Italian disco, modern cosmic, analogue house and rockin' disco. The formula rarely changes, but with this much variety and reliable dancefloor chops, it's impossible to complain. Enjoy!
Review: Fans of one-man production whirlwind Marco Dionigi will no doubt be thrilled with this new 13-track feast of compositions. For the converted, there's plenty to gorge on, from the gritty Hendrix licks and analogue beats of "At Dinner (Nu Disco Mix)" to the clattering Italo-disco stylings of "Dancing Days" and aggressive disco-house stomp of the title track. There's also a pleasantly percussive foray into marimba-disco ("Bring You Joy"), a trio of handy beats tracks, and a midtempo cosmic disco cut featuring delightfully Euro-centric synths and sounds ("Sun & Fun").
Review: There are two possible explanations for Marco Dionigi's impressive productivity. Firstly, he works very quickly. Secondly, he has secretly bred a super-race of genetically modified monkeys and locked them in a cellar with a bunch of old synthesizers, a Mac and a copy of Logic. While the latter is highly improbable, it would explain the Dr Who-does-Italo Disco vibe of this latest 10-track missive. Like the best of Dionigi's original compositions, the best cuts here sound like they were beamed down from the stars, possibly by a man in a tweed blazer and bowtie who cures all of the universe's problems with a flashing screwdriver and a bunch of tired one-liners. Or cyber-monkeys.
Review: This release spans a number of sounds, yet doesn't sound forced or contrived. We reckon the most popular version will be the Dionigi Tropical take, its vocal snippets and rolling drums reminiscent of the Cadenza sound. Faz's Isla Blanca remix meanwhile ramps up the tempo a few notches; the beats sound more metallic and glisten with more malevolent intent. Best of all though is Dionigi's Italo remix - featuring irresistible cowbells and snappy drums, it's the soaring bassline and evocative, slightly cheesy melodies that will seduce listeners every time.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.