V.A. Saturday

Back in 2017 the Dutch label Safe Trip released a compilation called Welcome To Paradise Vol. 1: Italian Dream House, 1989- 93. Across four sides of vinyl there are eleven perfect slices of dance music from Italy. The names may not be household ones- Don Pablo's Animals are probably the best known, the rest are anonymous Italian producers such as Dreamatic, Jacy, Open Spaces, K2, Deep Choice, Agua Re, Night Communication, Key Tronics Ensmeble and High Tide. It is a perfect example of the VA compilation, conjuring the sound of nightclubs, of Rimini, Sorento and Tuscany, the hot Italian sun, boating shoes, tans and Vespas. The tunes are sumptuous and euphoric, the production airy, the drum programming just so, the chord sequences rise gently, everything in a rich, sweet spot where there no troubles or worries, just endless summer. It's a lovely place to visit.

Any of the tracks from Vol. 1 (or from either of the two follow ups) will give you an idea of what is found within the double album's grooves. This one, Last Rhythm by Last Rhythm, is as good as any. 

Last Rhythm (Ambient Mix)

Last Rhythm were Leandro Papa, Luca Belladonna and Roberto Tesei. Their self- titled track was originally released in 1990, a 12" with three mixes. According to Discogs there have been twenty nine different releases/ versions/ pressings and re- pressings since 1990 across a variety of labels. Last Rhythm contains a much used sample, a chattering/ chirruping sound, a tropical bird who's just inhaled helium maybe, an aural indicator of rainforests. It turns up in Sueno Latino's self titled, Ibizan dancefloor smash (a track based on Manuel Gottsching's E2- E4) and in 808 State's Pacific among many others (you can read the full story of that sample here).