Well just when I think I'm done running my mind through the Italo Disco dredge I find something new. It doesn't seem to me that many Moggers aside from Ms. Rosalita and a few others have really cared about this revival, but I think the fact that this comes from Sweden could attract some of you into this genre. The album came out in '06. From what I've read it was entirely made by Johan Agebjörn. Sally Shapiro was brought in as the hired singer and figurehead. Much like Brittney Spears with that Swedish guy that did all the music for her albums. Whether or not she had any input artistically Sally Shapiro has a voice. It's very rich and very pure. She invokes a goddess of late 80 early 90's music from a bygone era. To me I keep hearing old Everything But The Girl and St. Etienne. The music itself is Italo gold. There's a certain longing to her voice and to the music that makes you feel uplifted and at the same time sad. It's not really anything new but this album is a very satisfying and tasty treat that you can stack up on top of the ever growing pile of Swedish pop tart hits.
Dzendvokh says
Hey, where were you when we had disco friday nights going,.... yeah they didn't last long but, doesn't mean we can't revive em every so often.
This stuff is cool, did I miss your other posts on Italo-disco?
Augusts1 says
This reminds me of 70s/early '80s Giorgio Moroder disco tunes, is that the general idea? I've not even heard of Italo Disco. It must be a subgenre of the Electro movement it would seem. Her voice reminds me of the singer from the group trip hop group Mono who released one cd in '97. Siobhan De Mare has a better voice I think but they both have that breathy quality to them:
"Life In Mono"
fistula spume says
Dzendvokh - Here's my list of posts that previously touched on this subject. "Black Devil Disco Club":http://mog.com/fistula_spume/blog_post/57027, "Rodion":http://mog.com/fistula_spume/blog_post/114974, "Scotch":http://mog.com/fistula_spume/blog_post/124941, "Kerrier District":http://mog.com/fistula_spume/blog_post/106681, "Metro Area":http://mog.com/fistula_spume/blog_post/65949, "Elaste Vol. 1":http://mog.com/fistula_spume/blog_post/106407, and "Kontrapunkt blog":http://mog.com/fistula_spume/blog_post/106397.
August - It's sort of a sub genre that's pretty expansive. Giorgio Moroder was a huge influence on the scene. There's a big "wiki":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italo_Disco on the subject. There's a ton o' artists listed on there as well. My wife and I both really loved Mono's first album. They also had Formica Blues but I never heard that one. Siobhan De Mare was also in a band with Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins) called Violet Indiana but I cannot for the life of me find that album. I bet it's good.
dermahrk - for shame!
fistula spume says
I feel the same way nataja.
Andrea - She does have a very lovely voice. There's something 80's about it that I can't quite pin down.
Dzendvokh says
Wow, I got some listening to do. Only one I got there is Black Devil,
I have Black Devil in Dub, but it's not as good as the original.
thanks man
Augusts1 says
Had a feeling you knew of Mono Sam, being the music maven that you are! Mono only released one cd, so you have heard "Formica Blues". I'll check out your wiki if you check out mine "*here*":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mono_(UK_band). It's a real shame they didn't put out more music. I haven't heard of that group that Siobhan was in w/Robin, would love to hear that.
Not surprised Moroder was a huge influence since his production was everywhere in the '70s.
fistula spume says
No problem. It took me a bit to find where I had posted all of that stuff. There seems to be a ton of compilations coming out lately of new and old stuff that looks good. Check out the Kontrapunkt blog for a lot of freebies. If you want I can upload something for you on M.
Augusts1 says
Ok, the link I gave above goes through but not to the correct page, so here's the correct page addy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mono_(UK_band) . Oh, I guess it doesn't but there's a link to the correct one. I've encountered this problem on wiki several times before where if there's a parentheses at the end of the addy it doesn't properly go through for some reason. Grrrr!
Dzendvokh says
I posted some "lindstrom":http://mog.com/Dzendvokh/blog_post/120628 not too long ago, while not italo-disco I'm sure there's an influence there.
Also got some Legowelt I have been checking out lately
fistula spume says
Oh duh that's right. For some reason I thought they had two. I have that problem with wiki too. I have two songs from Violet Indiana. They're really slow, quiet, and emotional. If I'm remembering right. I'm still curious to hear the whole album.
fistula spume says
No problem Girlcrawl. Glad you liked it. Wow, thanks so much for the links. I can't seem to get enough of this kind of music. My lovely wife asked me "Do you actually like this music" when I was playing a mix of Italo Disco. Not for everyone I suppose.
soulrocket says
i never expected italo disco to make a come-back... crazy stuff.
i like "hold me so tight", nice tune.
i guess you may be familiar with la bionda
fistula spume says
Sweet video. Yeah what I've heard of La Bionda I've liked. I really love their song "Wanna Be Your Lover" and the video. Need to track down a greatest hits or something.
Mike the Knife says
Big Moroder fan here, including his work with the charmingly droll and fey Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks. So this strikes my fancy. Euro-disco is one of my guilty pleasures. Then again, I liked that "Barbie Girl" song, too.
soulrocket says
yeah, definitely. also i must add to be comfortable with feeling cheap & nasty when necessary, without losing much coolness. only for the brave.
Well just when I think I'm done running my mind through the Italo Disco dredge I find something new. It doesn't seem to me that many Moggers aside from Ms. Rosalita and a few others have really cared about this revival, but I think the fact that this comes from Sweden could attract some of you into this genre. The album came out in '06. From what I've read it was entirely made by Johan Agebjörn. Sally Shapiro was brought in as the hired singer and figurehead. Much like Brittney Spears with that Swedish guy that did all the music for her albums. Whether or not she had any input artistically Sally Shapiro has a voice. It's very rich and very pure. She invokes a goddess of late 80 early 90's music from a bygone era. To me I keep hearing old Everything But The Girl and St. Etienne. The music itself is Italo gold. There's a certain longing to her voice and to the music that makes you feel uplifted and at the same time sad. It's not really anything new but this album is a very satisfying and tasty treat that you can stack up on top of the ever growing pile of Swedish pop tart hits.
Locating MOG account...
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