Black Pomade chats favourite Italo cuts

Black Pomade is a Milan-born DJ and producer, is a prominent figure in the Lisbon music scene, renowned for his dynamic sets that blend analog synths, groovy basslines, and syncopated beats. As the founder of the Ruínas collective and the Whoopee party series, he has made significant contributions to the House, Disco, and Acid genres. Heavily influenced by the New York Disco scene and Chicago House originators, Black Pomade’s performances are a journey through a rich musical landscape, filling dance floors with high energy and infectious smiles. His residency at MusicBox Lisbon from 2021 to 2023, which aimed to bridge the Italian and Portuguese scenes, stands as a testament to his commitment to connecting cultures through music.

Throughout his career, Black Pomade has graced stages across Europe and Asia, performing in cities like Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo, and Vienna, and sharing line-ups with legends like Nicky Siano and Don Carlos. His discography includes releases on labels such as Last Forever Records, Rollover Milano, and Windmill Re-Edits. In 2023, he launched the vinyl-only edit series Manzo Edits, with more releases slated for 2024. His influence extends to the airwaves, contributing to renowned podcast series and radio shows globally. Black Pomade continues to be a pivotal figure in the dance music scene, blending cultural influences and creating unforgettable musical experiences.

We caught up with him recently to learn more about some of his favourite Italo cuts.

"I have a love-hate relationship with Italo Disco. Outside of Italy, many assume that an Italian DJ equals Italo Disco. I remember a night in Sofia, Bulgaria, where the opening DJ played two hours of Italo Disco to an unenthusiastic dancefloor, thinking he was doing me a favor. On many other occasions, people have requested Italo Disco during my sets and I’m still battling to shake off the misconception that I only (and often) play Italo Disco. On a personal taste level, I enjoy the genre's simplicity and cheesiness in small doses. It's hard not to indulge in the dreamy, romanticized idea of a summer on the Italian Riviera. So, as a heatwave hits Milan, I’ve put together the perfect summer Italo Disco playlist. Whether you’re enjoying a Cornetto at a beach bar or stuck in a city apartment with a fan blasting, these tunes will transport you to a boogie at a Rimini club in 1984."

Kano - It's a War Listen on YouTube
This is my introduction to Italo Disco. At 15, I discovered an instrumental edit by Serge Santiago, which frequently appeared in DJ sets recorded in various Italian clubs I was exploring. I was confused but fascinated, trying to categorize the genre while being captivated by its groove. That opened a Pandora’s box of digging through DJ forums and mIRC channels. That edit by Serge Santiago, by the way, is still pretty relevant and playable nowadays.

Bata Drum - Breaking Breaking Listen on YouTube
This is an extract from the soundtrack of Jocks, probably the only movie centered on Italo Disco. It’s so cheesy and trashy that it becomes entertaining, offering a picturesque postcard of the 80s Riviera. It includes a 20-minute closing performance by “The Creatures” at Altromondo Studios, worth sitting through the otherwise dull storyline. Note: the film reflects the “sensitivity” of the time and it’s definitely not updated to the current PC discourse, with common racist and sexist jokes.

Alexander Robotnik - Love Supreme Listen on YouTube
No Italo list would be complete without Alexander Robotnik. His well-known anthem is “Problèmes d'Amour,” but the track I’m sharing here is a lesser-known, minimalist piece of late Italo Disco that I still play shamelessly, especially when warming up smaller disco or housey rooms. The sexy bass and piano are simply irresistible. This track is a collaboration with the multimedia experimental collective Giovanotti Mondani Meccanici, who debuted with a digital 8-bit comic on an Apple II about a transgender woman. They remained active into the late 90s and early 2000s, creating a series of satirical cartoons on Macromedia Flash about a chicken named Gino, which became one of Italy’s first truly viral videos.

Koto - Chinese Revenge (Club Version) Listen on YouTube
I found this record digging at a random stand at a local market in Rimini a couple of years ago. The stand mostly sold old pop and rock songs but had a little corner in the back with a handwritten sign “afro/cosmic” where I found this anthem by Koto, also known for “Japanese Wargame” and “Visitors.” Paolo, the owner of the “Musica dell’Anima” (music of the soul) stand, was very surprised by my pick and started reminiscing about his psychedelic experiences at Baia degli Angeli and sleeping under the porches in the city center—a time of musical experimentation in a way so simple and naive that gave me chills.

Jago - I'm Going to Go Listen on YouTube
Italo Disco influenced music beyond Italy’s borders. This track was played by Larry Levan and edited by Frankie Knuckles to arouse the crowd at the Power Plant. Italo Disco and early house share similarities, being post-disco sounds born when music machines became more affordable. They originated from different places and followed separated routes, but somehow landed in a similar spot, in a sort of zeitgeist of the times.

Scotch - Mirage Listen on YouTube
Most Italo Disco lyrics are in English, sung by Italian singers, creating a tacky yet appealing effect. In this track by Scotch, you hear both approaches: a rare Italian chorus mixed with English verses. About 10 years later, like many Italo Disco hits, it was remixed in Italo/euro dance style by Paps'n'Skar, highlighting the link between the two styles. Another curious fact to note is how many of these records are the result of collaborations among various musicians and professionals. Compare them with contemporary productions’ credit notes and you’ll notice a stark difference!

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Papaya Listen on YouTube
I found this one at Futuribile Records in Naples—a totally recommended stop for all Italo aficionados. At the time this track was released it was common to put out records to promote clubs, which says a lot about the economic power of Italian clubs at the time. It’s one of the few Italo records to feature a rap part. Legend has it that the rapper was an American teenager living in Italy because a family member worked at a NATO base in the Venice area.

La Nuova Fattoria – Disco Pollo Listen on YouTube
Italo Disco was so pervasive in the music scene that even children's songs were discrete groovers. This track features some lyrics "sung" by a voice that closely resembles the Italian dubber of Donald Duck. One of the names behind the record is Alfonso Bettini, who is known for indulging in less conventional records. He produced the anthem "Forza Viola" for the Fiorentina football club but also produced more canonically respected music, such as "Barbara" by Enzo Carella, which ranked second at the Sanremo Music Festival in 1979.

Fun Fun - Happy Station Listen on YouTube
Most of the writers and producers behind the tracks of the time were males, reflecting the gender imbalance in the music industry. Most women involved in Italo Disco were singers or dancers: Cinedelic Records has collected some underrated tracks with female singers in “Italo Disco Donna” volumes 1 and 2. When it comes to writing and producing, instead, a few notable examples include Cinzia Farolfi, Clara Moroni, and Ivana Spagna, who co-wrote the single “Happy Station” when she was still part of the group Fun Fun, before leaving to focus on her solo career.

The Creatures - The Amazing Run In The Tube Listen on YouTube

‍If I had to play a 100% Italo set, this would be my closing track. An epic emotional ride by the iconic band “The Creatures,” more known for their anthems “Believe in Yourself” and “Maybe One Day.” This less canonical track for the genre perfectly represents the band’s curated aesthetic connected to the “Altro Mondo Studios” club. Sit down, press play, and close your eyes to smoothly sail through a futuristic 80s sci-fi movie.

Keep up with Black Pomade on RA and Soundcloud