NEON Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Celso Valli produced, composed and arranged this classic slice of Italo disco which now gets a proper reissue job on Mondo Groove. It comes pressed up to 12" with two different versions. On the A-side is 'Skydiver' (vocal - long version) which is a Mediterranean slow burner with lush chords and loose-limed percussion. The male vocal oozes effortlessly cool as funky guitar riffs add extra bite. Flip it over and you will get 'Skydiver' (instrumental) which pairs things back to the gorgeous arrangement. A real pearler of an Italo disco gem.

Review: This double LP release of Marcello Michelotti's Italian New Wave live performances of the groups 1980 double single 'Information of Death' and 2008 album 'Oscillator' come 3 years after their last EP. Whilst 'Information of Death' utilises analogue synths and live drum recordings to create its metallic, cold soundscape, 'Oscillator' - a live performance from the 1979 Banana Moon Club - is almost entirely those alien synths, with interspersed vocal passages. These two legendary New Wave projects are bundled together for the first time, the first vinyl press of 'Oscillator' and the first press of 'Information of Death' in 7 years. The abrasive, experimental production on tracks like 'Neon 0832' and 'Neon 1102' are revolutionary to a modern ear. To say Michelotti et al were ahead of their time is an understatement.