Medical Records has two outstanding releases planned for Record Store Day, as they continue to bring listeners rare, hard-to-find, and long-out-of-print gems from the Italo disco, synth wave, minimal pop era of the 80’s. Italy’s electronic music pioneer Maurizio Dami‘s early work as Alexander Robotnick is celebrated on the label’s Vintage Robotnick, and while the record contains early singles like 1985’s “I Wanna Believe,” released under the moniker Gina & The Flexix, as well as the 7″ version of 1987’s “C’est La Vie,” many tracks on the new compilation have never been released on vinyl! On “Les Grands Voyages De L’amour,” Robotnick demonstrates his exquisite, forward-looking sonic style. Using a droll, but ultra-cool vocal delivery, he fuses post-punk’s perceived nihilism to an almost “classical,” and deeply musical sensibility!
Vintage Robotnick LP Track List:
1. Gina & The Flexix “I Wanna Believe” (Full Length Version)
2. Les Grands Voyages De L’amour (Original Version)
3. I Remember Kamchaka
4. Soundtrack
5. Celle Vache De Ma Mere
6. Araba
7. Ambient Robo
8. The Vampir
9. Appuye Sur Le Champignon
10. C’est La Vie (7″ Version)
11. Minore Terzo
For their other RSD release, Medical Records presents the second volume from their Electroconvulsive Therapy series collecting together several iconic A + B sides from the Italo disco scene of the early 80’s. Originally released as 12″ singles on the Materiali Sonori label imprint Fuzz Dance, this compilation brings together some excellent examples of just how sonically in the crosswinds this music was, as well as how influential the sound would become for the future of pop in the 80’s!
Streaming above is the second cut featured on the record, Zed‘s rare track “Plastic Love.” Its Upstairs at Eric’s vibe is unmistakable, as it would have been recorded within the year of the UK release of Yazoo‘s iconic album. An excellent example of just how much these styles were pinging back and forth between Europe, UK, and the US, mostly based off their exposure thru play by DJ’s in the club scene, “Plastic Love” is a brilliant synthesis of an early moment in electronic pop music, while also heralding the coming of a new Digital Age!
Electroconvulsive Therapy Vol. 2:
1. TROPHY. Slow Flight (vocal)
2. ZED . Plastic Love
3. MYA & THE MIRROR . Hesitation
4. MON BIJOU. Just A Lover – Glamour version
5. TROPHY. Slow Flight ? Instrumental version
6. ZED . Plastic Love ? instrumental version
7. MYA & THE MIRROR . Hesitation ? Reflex version
8. NAIF ORCHESTRA . Check-Out Five ? The Disco Version
