The 10 best Italo disco records, according to Classixx

LA duo Classixx released their debut album, ‘Hanging Gardens’, through Innovative Leisure on May 14th. Like another popular electronic duo’s_ _most recent effort, the album is an ode to a particular era of nightlife, discotheques and AM radio-styled soft rock that constantly radiates the Los Angeles vibe. But unlike the robots, Classixx actually remembered that their album should be a lot of fun. For this Dummy list, the duo’s Michael David has run down ten of the Italo and Italo-flavoured disco records that Classixx consider their favourite.

Loui$ – Pink Footpath
Classixx: One of my favorite songs of all time, such beautiful guitar work too.
Maurice McGee – Do I Do
Classixx: Italo vocals are often a point of contention. They’re all weird, but some are special, while others are unbearable.
Pineapples – Come On Closer
Classixx: The disparity between the beauty of this instrumental and the foul vocal performance is something to behold.
Baby’s Gang – Happy Song
Classixx: Getting a choir of children to sing over a stack of jumpy synths can never be bad.
Kano – Another Life
Classixx: Sampled to create the immense Discopolis [by Kris Menace], but the original stands up strong.
Casco – Cybernetic Love
Classixx: Another perfect italo production, so emotive but never sappy.
B.W.H – Stop
Classixx: Amazing propulsive bassline to play in a dance club, the tender vocal moment is what makes it.
Change – Lover’s Holiday
Classixx: These Italian producers were obviously channelling Chic here, but this mix is a masterpiece.
Mike Mareen – Dancing in the Dark (Galactica Remix)
Classixx: This track is actually German, but it plays perfectly with this list and of the same era.
Gino Soccio – It’s Alright
Classixx: We play this song all the time. Soccio was Italo by way of Quebec.

Classixx’s debut album ‘Hanging Gardens’ is out now on Innovative Leisure. They’ll play London’s Village Underground tomorrow night (22nd June); get more information on that here.

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