Review: If you were to pick two Italian producers to spearhead an Italo-disco revival, it would be Bottin and Rodion. While there productions are rarely Italo in the old-fashioned sense, they share the same wide-eyed love of life and exotic synthesizers as their 1980s forebears. "One For All", their latest collaboration, blends the best of new school Italo (restless appreggios, cosmic synths), vintage punk funk (see the thunderously elastic bassline) and original disco (clipped guitars), whilst managing to sound suitably fresh. The original version features a murky vocal, but in truth it's not needed; the accompanying instrumental version is undoubtedly the EP's standout moment.
Review: Ten years ago, Eskimo Recordings emerged from Ghent, as an outlet for mix albums from hometown heroes the Glimmers. Since then, the label has gone on to be a leading light on the nu-disco and nu Balearic scenes. Fittingly, this expansive tenth anniversary set was put together by the Glimmers, and features two solo DJ mixes featuring label highlights aplenty. For DJs, the real bonus is the huge selection of unmixed tracks on display, which adeptly showcases the depth and variety of the label's output. Highlights are plentiful, from the woozy Scandolearic vibes of Lindstrom & Prins Thomas and brilliance of early Aeroplane, to the sun-bright dream pop of Hiem, and the bouncing dancefloor groovery of LHAS Inc.
Review: Originally cutting his teeth on the Gomma label, nu-disco hero Rodion hasn't been shy in getting his music heard on myriad labels. He's been teasing this eagerly awaited long player, Generator, on Tronik Youth's Nein label for months now, and finally it has arrived. There are ten tracks here that all push his trademark deep space (disco) explorations further than any man has gone before, highlights of which include the cosmic bleep shower of opener "Phobos", the searing arpeggiation of "Gamma" and the tribal synthpop stomp of closer "Run Out".
Review: Rodion is back with "Alle Der Kosmonauten". The original is a cosmo-psychedelic journey track supported by some sweet auto-tune vocals, for fans of Rebolledo or Man Power. The Lauer remix is all that you'd expect and more: his catchy retro sensibilities are complimented by some sweet 303 acid on this total epic. Finally the Heretic remix is rolling peak time tech house with a good injection of funk with its rolling bassline and druggy synth leads plus the vocals get properly vocoded this time around. Sick!
Review: Since leaving Gomma in 2008 following a productive two-year partnership, Rodion has showcased his wares on a dizzying number of labels. Here he adds another to the list, making his Nein debut with the intoxicating, synth-laden and surprisingly creepy "Boccoca Hills". The headline remix comes from former Chicken Lips man Andrew Meredith in his Emperor Machine guise. Typically, he's turned it into an epic, 11-minute workout built around a sparse, rubbery and quietly tough proto-house groove, onto which Rodion's wild synthesizers sit surprisingly well. Fellow Italian Fabrizio Mammarella rounds things off with a more psychedelic, acid-flecked remix that takes the track further into late night territory.
Review: Shara music emerges with a concept that glitters by love for a very special woman named Sara. The producer of Barcelona Owen Ezard presents his new record label, Shara Music, and it starts nothing more, nothing less with this great piece of EP signed by the mexico-Italian couple Mijo & Rodion. A futuristic sound ep charged with hints Techno Latin and classical Italo influence also with the remixes included of "Chapo Guzman" and our great Damon Jee. Exceptional beginning for this label and where in addition They have prepared for us a lot of amazing references that will see the light as the year progresses. First reference Shara Music... SHM001 is coming up
Review: Paris - Barcelona joint venture La Belle present the second edition of One Night Stands, which is a compilation they describe as danceable but freaked-out electronics that push the boundaries of what the underground is in the year 2020, featuring 'slo-mo synth-pop, lo-fi fusion, space dubs, tribal grooves and spiralling nu-disco electronics'. Highlights not limited to: Get A Room!'s deep dive into the dreamy exotic titled "Jungle Night Walk", Ellis Island Afro / folk / punk-funk collide on the wonderful "Ahah", Front De Cadeaux take you on a deeply meditative trip into the rainforest on "De Puta Madre Terra" and AKKAN's glassy-eyed and bittersweet deep house journey "La Tramuntana" closes out this terrific collection.
