Pino D’Angio

OTR was down for a ton of months and we finally got it back online! I had been feaning to do posts for a while and to see OTR back online put a smile on my face. Gonna try to do posts more regularly in 2026. 

For the first post back I wanted to write about an Italo Disco track I ran into the other day by Pino D'Angio called 'Okay, Okay'. Such a great jam, I don't really know what he's singing about, but it sounds fantastic and will get you dancing in no time. After researching a bit looks like this track came from his 1981 album Balla! which also features his biggest hit 'Ma Quale Idea' which is also an amazing track. Crazy this album came out in 1981?1 If you like these two tracks below be sure to check out the rest of that album as well as the rest of his discography. Read more about him on his wikipedia.

Hot Hot Hawk

My DJ buddy Nelson (aka Essential Six) who I spin with Wednesdays at our (786) party at Purdy Lounge is always amazing me with all the cool tracks/remixes he plays out. It's as if we both share the same taste in music. Last night he played this great track which as usual got me asking "who is this??" The track was "Atlanta Skyline" by Russian electronic duo Hot Hot Hawk. They have such a great electronic italo 80's movie soundtrack type of vibe which they freely admit to loving. They even name some of their tracks with 80's movie references like "Snake Pliskken is the Only Hope" & "Running Man Fever".

Check out "Atlanta Skyline" which their label is offering as a free download and another one of my favorites "Midnight Thunder", but really all their tracks are amazing and I recommend you spend some time on their soundcloud, especially if you dig these. You'll thank me later.

Raf :: Self Control (Bottin Edit)

Welcome 2011! Let's get to work shall we....

I first heard Ryan Evans play this track out a few weeks ago which I thought was a Laura Branigan cover of "Self Control". Turns out it's not a cover, but Raf (short for Raffaele Riefoli) was actually one of the co-writers who originally released the track a few months prior to Laura Branigan back in 1984. Amazing! You learn something new every day. This Bottin edit takes out the rap part from the track which I don't care for too much and makes the track that much better. Even more amazing now that I know the whole history. Check it out and be sure to play this baby loud!


MP3: Self Control (Bottin Edit) - Raf

Rimer London

Craving some good electronic/housey goodness in your life? Then look no further than Amsterdam solo artist Rimer London. His label Magnetron contacted us recently telling us about his previous EP Intercity and how much a success it was for them and how excited they are for his upcoming debut album of which "Squaring the Triangle" is gonna be the first single. A great mixture of house and electronic music that I think you guys are gonna dig. I'm not a big house guy (get bored if it's too repetitive), but like all types of music there's always good and bad of everything, this one falls in the latter category with a dash of Italo that's very refreshing.

Here's his new single "Squaring the Triangle", plus a couple tracks "Intercity" and "Go Away" from his previous Intercity EP to get you acquainted.


MP3: Squaring the Triangle - Rimer London


MP3: Intercity - Rimer London


MP3: Go Away - Rimer London

Stephen Falken

Stephen Falken is a French DJ/Producer and a member of The Outrunners. With an undeniable Italo Disco background, his style is rooted in 80’s synth music and perfect for movie soundtracks.

You may remember his pseudonym from the 1983 drama-thriller War Games as the creator of the supercomputer “Joshua”, Dr. Stephen Falken.

The Outrunners are also part of the Valerie Collective who I’ve been following for quite some time now. The collective is composed of College, Minitel Rose, Maethelvin, Anoraak and London producer Russ Chimes.

Stephen Falken has a new 4 track release perfect for a sunset drive… reminiscent of Jan Hammer!

Here is one of those tracks which are also available on Valerie’s new 7inch split vinyl release available through their website.

Enjoy the rest of your week!


MP3: Cruising - Stephen Falken 

Ali Love

London solo artist Ali Love who previously contributed vocals to Chemical Brothers track 'Do It Again' is getting set to release his debut album early next year, but first his reps contacted OTR with an advance copy of his first single 'Diminishing Returns' complete with remixes + video to share with our readers and I'm glad they did!

Like they say on his press material it's 'a brilliant, instant Italo-disco inspired classic'. I have to agree with that statement! Great mid-tempop groovy number! Should get you shaking it on the dancefloor. Loving it! Can't wait to hear the album.

Here's those tracks for you in full 320! 'Diminishing Returns' is out on Limited Edition Vinyl/Digital Download November the 16th on his label Back Yard Records.

MP3: Diminishing Returns (Extended Version) - Ali Love  (YSI)


MP3: Diminishing Returns (Eli Escobar Remix) - Ali Love  (YSI)


MP3: Diminishing Returns (Azari & III Remix) - Ali Love  (YSI)

Free Falling

What goes around, come around... 1981. Skydiver by Neon. (What did you think I was going to post a Petty track? I did see him a concert a few years back and it was a damn good show though...).
I wouldn't mind skydiving over that skyline (hey that's my building on the left of the photo! That little white thing west of I-95). But I think most jumps in the 305 are done down south.

Come on all you disco afficionados... Let's see how long until I hear this track being played again. It was re-released in '06 as part of the Disco Galaxia compilation (along with a few other hard to find italo disco cuts). Skydiver is probably my favorite of the bunch. All these tracks are set to make an indie comeback (no way the mainstream is ready for this though... doesn't have enough autotune... or is autotune dead? H.O.V.A. gave it a death wish! damn he's good...)

MP3: Neon - Skydiver (ysi)

Joakim included the Neon track in the mix he did for Colette in '07. The best mix of the series, but you know I'm partial to Joakim. Speaking of Joakim... his new album, Milky Ways is out in September! I can't wait! So much so that I currently have his latest single Watermelon Bubblicious as my ring tone. AND now you can TOO!

Ring tone: Joakim - Watermelon Bubblicious iPhone ring tone (via Versatile Records)

Oh and you know I couldn't leave you without a Joakim track right?

How about his take on Royksopp's (most ridiculously (lame) themed song and video) The Girl and The Robot? Seriously, the video is a bit ca-reepy. Does the robot have a vibrator attachment? Okay I'll stop there. Joakim smooths the track out and gives it that driving beat that he has perfected.

MP3: Royksopp - The Girl and The Robot (Joakim Remix) (ysi)

Souvenir

Souvenir are an electro-pop duo from Spain with sexy French vocals.

They sent me their video for 'Ta Machine' and an mp3 for 'Drums, Sex and Dance' the other day and I was blown away! Amazing electro-pop with a hint of italo disco and guitars thrown in for good measure.

They were kind enough to send me a copy of their album 'Drums, Sex and Dance' and there's not a bad track in the 9 song bunch. Really digging it!

Here's the first two tracks from their album and their video to make you a believer. Then go buy the rest of it, muy bueno! Think you can buy it online at www.jabalinamusica.com or their myspace.

MP3: Drums, Sex and Dance - Souvenir (YSI)
MP3: Ta Machine - Souvenir (YSI)

Minitel Rose

Minitel Rose is an electro-pop group from France and is composed of memebers Quentin, Raphael, and Romain. They've just released their mini-album The French Machine on Valerie Records.

The album has a retro 80's feel without sounding stale or dated. There are tinges of classic-period Depeche Mode, Human League, and Japan, as well as newer acts such as Daft Punk and labelmates Anoraak.

The opening track, Elevator, has a dark, italo-disco edge to it. One of my favorite songs, Business Woman, opens up with symphonic background sounds and sleek electro beats, before breaking into an arpeggiated chorus that is damn catchy.

So here is Business Woman to get you through the daily grind.

MP3: Business Woman - Minitel Rose (YSI)

Tarzan Boy

Last week when I was spinning for a Burlesque Show a magician they had used a CD of music for his set. One of the tracks on there was this classic 1985 track by Baltimora called Tarzan Boy.

Ever since then I've had that track stuck in my head. So much so that I had to get it. Such a classic Italo Disco/New Wave track from the era. I think it holds up really well. That Tarzan intro is classic and the vocals are hard to beat.

Seems they were mainly a one hit wonder with this being their very first single that they released.

Thought I'd share this classic with you. It really is a guilty pleasure so hope you don't throw me under the bus, but hey we all have our cheesy tracks that we like.

Here is the video for it as well which is pretty funny. Totally 80's!!!

MP3: Tarzan Boy - Baltimora (YSI)

Fare Soldi / 500th Post!!

First off just wanted to say this is our 500th Post!! That's a pretty big achievement I think. I think we can go into syndication now or something.

Anyway's just wanted to thank you all for listening and being faithful readers to the Off the Radar Blog!

When we started we barely had 30 visitors a day (mostly us and our friends I'm sure). Now little by little we are getting to the big boys level and getting readers from all over the world!

It's great to spread the word about new artists and music that we love.

The music industry is changing and blogs like ours are becoming more important than ever, especially when it comes to breaking new artists, music and trends.

Cheers from the Off the Radar Crew!

To celebrate I wanted to post this great new video from Italy's Fare Soldi for 'Survivor'. It's very italo disco sounding and features tons of 70's/80's references. A color explosion!

The video was so good it made me request a copy of their debut album 'Sappiamo Dove Abiti' on Riotmaker Records. The album features 16 tracks including some great little interspersed italian snippets.

The album goes all over the place from nu-disco to pop and funk. There's a little something for everyone. A great party record. They've even been remixed by the likes of Saint Pauli and Keenhouse.

Here's a couple tracks from their debut, plus the Survivor video I was talking about. Enjoy!

MP3: Survivor - Fare Soldi (YSI)
MP3: Message in Abaddo - Fare Soldi (YSI)

Heartbreak

Heartbreak are a duo from London, England featuring Argentinian Singer Sebastian Muravchix & Ali Renault on Keyboards. Fans of Giorgio Moroder and Italo Disco will love Heartbreak! They seem to come straight out of the 80's Italo Disco era complete with pencil thin moustache and all. They've recently opened for Presets and Cut Copy here in the U.S. were they've gotten a lot of buzz.

They've recently released their debut album Lies worldwide and already have tons of magazines such as NME, Vice & The Guardian singing their praises.

I really liked The Guardian's description. Here's what they had to say...

'an Album that sounds like being transported to 1984 Rimini inside a hand sculpted marble bath tub filled with uncut Bolivian cocaine and Veuve Clicqout Champagne (AKA Disco Paste) is your thing you should definitely check them out...'

Ha!

Here's a couple of tracks for you to decide for yourself. If you like these or are a fan of Italo Disco I highly recommend you buy the album.

MP3: Don't Lose My Time - Heartbreak (YSI)
MP3: Give Me Action - Heartbreak (YSI)


Here's a Live Performance of them performing their single 'We're Back' for Last FM. The lead singer is a hell of a character!

Bufi :: The Dancefloor Slayer

Hmmm seems I've been hearing more and more cool stuff coming out of Mexico lately. I never would have thought. Possible scene developing there? We shall see...

Got this great italo/electro-pop sounding track the other day called 'We Begin' from Bufi who is Mateo Gonzalez and resides in Mexico City. On top of doing amazing remixes for artists such as Cassius he also has a record label called Le Touch Records along with a sweet matching blog of the same name 'Le Touch' . Didn't know he ran it, but Le Touch also happens to be the only spanish music blog I read on a consistent basis. Great content on there! Definitely worth checking out. Seems they have a Black Jesus over there as well. Mario and Xavier you better look into that ;)

Here's We Begin plus an older, but equally as impressive instrumental track from him called 'Make it Over'. Thought I posted back in January, but I can't find it so here it is.

MP3: We Begin (YSI)

MP3: Make It Over (YSI)

Dark Disco

A little no-wave action for you from Portland. Glass Candy has been around for a bit. Even playing a show in Miami back in the day... This summer they are playing P.S.1's Warm Up on August 11 (one of the many reasons to visit NYC in the summer) as part of the Trouble Man Unlimited/Italians Do It Better label showcase. (Anybody else notice the heavy disco line up for this year's Warm Up?)

Anyways, Glass Candy is evolving their sound from the post-punk garage sound to a darker more minimal disco sound (a la the Italians and Germans). The newest single I Always Say Yes has a balearic beat to it (think heavy, slow, 90–110 bpm). Okay maybe a little faster.

We have an older track of theirs Love Love Love where lead singer Ida No channels Siouxsie when she sings (Karen O anyone?). And a newer track where her vocals sounds like galactic purrs. Nice.

MP3: Love Love Love
MP3: I Always Say Yes (12")
MP3: Computer Love (Kraftwerk Cover)

One more. It is so good.

MP3: The Chameleon

Also out is a comp album out on Italians Do It Better called After Dark that showcases contemporary artists embracing Giorgio Moroder-styled synths. Incredible how long disco has survived. Electroclash who? NuRave what? (yeah that died already - how much more of fluorescent colors can you take?) All good music but a little short on the longevity.

Synths and Bass and Cattle

Warning syth-disco ahead! And that is not a bad thing. Hailing from across the pond, in gay Pari-- Denton, Texas? Wait a second, I thought all electro goodness only came from France? At least that is what Mr. Banger and Kitsune want you to think.

With Italo stylings and a long list of influences (Sexual Harrassment, Kavinsky, Junior Boys, Chromeo, Cabaret Voltaire...) seems like the perfect Off the Radar group to us.

The group is still young (they played their first show last month), but that means they can only get better. Right?

MP3: Parking Lot Nights

(There is another demo track floating around out there, Losing Tracks.)