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New Zombi LP ‘Escape Velocity’ plus ‘Slow Oscillations’ remix competition
05.21.2011
03:41 pm
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If you are STILL stuck for things to do before Rapturization, why not try your hand at remixing the band Zombi? It seems rather apt, doesn’t it? Remix Zombi now, and get to meet a real live zombie later on today. If you are one of those people unfortunate enough to get left behind that is. Unlike me - it may have passed the 6pm deadline over here but I am hedging my bets on an EST ascension now.

Ok, enough of the rapture jokes.

Zombi are a most excellent doomy synth act from Pennsylvania comprised of the members Steve Moore and Anthony Paterra. I posted on Steve Moore a few weeks ago, as one of his numerous spin off projects is the equally excellent synth-pop act Miracle. Zombi take things in a much more John Carpenter direction, with arpeggios full of authentic late 70s B-Movie atmosphere and a vibe that brings to mind the work of Fabio Frizzi for Lucio Fulci, and some of Mororder’s earliest scoring forays. This kind of retro-soundtrack/space-rock thing seems quite voguish now (not that I’m complaining) but Zombi are one of the pioneers having been on this tip for almost a decade now.
 
Zombi - “Shrunken Heads” (from Escape Velocity LP)
 

 
Zombi - “Slow Oscillations” (from Escape Velocity LP)
 

 
Zombi - “Spirit Warrior”  (from Spirit Warrior LP)
 

 
Zombi - “Sapphire” (from Digitalis EP)
 

 
The band have just released their new album Escape Velocity on the respected metal label Relapse, and in conjunction with Self-Titled magazine and Soundcloud are giving folks a chance to remix “Slow Oscillations”. The prize is a Soundcloud pro-account for a year, your very own Steve Moore remix (boom!!) and a whole heap of Zombi-related goodies. And at the very least it’s a chance to hear all those gorgeous classic synths separated. To download the song, and the individual tracks, go here. To buy Escape Velocity and other Zombi releases go here.

Posted by Niall O'Conghaile
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05.21.2011
03:41 pm
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Alexander Robotnick: ‘Disco/Nu-Disco’ Mix
03.23.2011
11:46 am
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The name Alexander Robotnick should be familiar to fans of electronic music. An original disco pioneer, he scored a big hit in 1983 with the classic proto-Italo disco/electro cut “Problems D’Amour.” It was released in many different versions (the one below being the most popular), including a pressing on Sire Records that lead to much club plays in the States. “Problems D’Amour” was reputedly a big inspiration for the writing and recording of New Order’s “Blue Monday.”
 
Alexander Robotnick - “Problems D’Amour”
 

 
Almost 30 years on and Robotnick, real name Maurizio Dami, is still making and releasing music (his Rare Robotnicks album series of unreleased 80s tracks come very highly recommended). Although he abandoned dance music in the late Eighties and Nineties for ambient and world-fusion experiments, he has resurrected his old alter-ego and now tours with a hybrid dj/live set, mixing tracks old and new and providing live vocal accompaniment in his particular drawling style. Maurizio/Alexander has just put a new mix online in the style of his live/dj sets. It’s a blend of disco old and nu, with of course a lot of Italo—have a listen if you want to hear an original master at work:
 

  Alexander Robotnick disco nudisco march 2011 DJ-Mix by Alexander Robotnick
 
Tracklist after the jump…

READ ON
Posted by Niall O'Conghaile
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03.23.2011
11:46 am
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Italo Nouveau: Den Haan ‘Gods From Outer Space’
03.11.2011
08:55 am
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Calling all disco fans! Are you partial to a bit of Patrick Cowley? Like the synthetic soundscapes of Claudio Simonetti? Been digging those clips I posted of Rockets? Then Den Haan are the band for YOU.

Sharing the twin obsessions of space/sci-fi and vintage synths, Den Haan produce some of the best electronic-disco-pop around at the moment. After a string of successful releases on cult European labels like Dissident, Optimo Music and Supersoul, today sees the of release their debut long player Gods From Outer Space on their own Courier Of Death label. The duo are quickly gaining a reputation as a hot live act, and some of their music has even been featured in Desperate Housewives, bizarrely enough.

Synths explode like lazer blasts from a space cannon, rolling toms and sleazy vocals bring the drama while arpeggios build to warp speed, sending the listener zooming into the outer reaches of the stratosphere. OK, so they may not doing anything particularly new, but boy do they do it well. This really does sound like vintage-era Cowley (think the Megatron Man album) with the riffs and hooks to match, and unlike the vast majority of their contemporaries on the electro/techno scenes, Den Haan aren’t afraid to have a bit of fun. For proof they have put together this campy trailer for their album:

Den Haan’s Gods From Outer Space Theatrical Trailer:
 

Den Haan’s Gods From Outer Space is available to buy on vinyl and download now from Boomkat. Here’s some more of what’s on offer:
 
Den Haan - “Release The Beast”
 

 
Den Haan - “Night Shift”
 

 
Den Haan - “Russian Boat Commander”
 

 
Den Haan are also offering the up track “Universal Energy” as a free download - you can get it here.

Posted by Niall O'Conghaile
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03.11.2011
08:55 am
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