Think back to the late 70′s/early 80′s, Northern Italy, when the sound palette was a churning, hypnotic melting pot. The evolution of Cosmic had began from a combination of Afro rhythms, Italo Disco sensibilities, Jazz, science fiction and a surge of synthesisers, emanating from clubs such as Typhoon, Chicago, Bisbi, Mecca, and of course Cosmic.
 
Here at Nang we are proud to have one of the sound’s founding fathers, Daniele Baldelli, back with us. Ably aided by DJ Rocca (aka Ajello, Crimea X and Supersonic Lovers) in his Mars Life Studio, the pair have brewed up a startlingly accomplished album of cosmic slo-mo machine funk.
 
We dive straight in with ‘Complotto Geometrico,’ a galactic dancefloor experience that spews out elastic synth lines and otherworldly rhythms in glorious fashion. Next up the title track ‘Podalirius’ follows suit with its equally as poignant synthesis, interspersed with a beautiful flute lines, laser pulses and rolling percussion.
‘Roba Che Scotta’ takes us away with a beam of arpeggios and Sci-fi themes, within a more classical disco template. ‘Rate The Stars (ft. Tahamene)’ starts with a thumping boom-bap, before leading into an spacey arp-driven vocal track, with Tahamene’s brilliant top line adding to the melancholia.
 
‘A TV Show (ft. Ghostape Boy)’ is far more slinky, laid-back affair. Ghostape Boy’s vocals supply a youthful sheen to the percussive disco instumental, leaving a supersweet aftertaste. ‘Real Like The Music (ft. Mark Borgazzi)’ lines up next. Bongo’s and a repeated synth phrase intertwine with Borgazzi’s soulful tenor, guitar chops and cosmic detritus to create another on-point vocal track.
 
‘Teorema’ brings the tempo up a notch for a lesson in spaced-out dancefloor mechanics. The bass is solid and string, supporting the surrounding synth melodies and laser beams to carry it in any peak time scenario. ‘Haughty Rhino’ is equally as strong, but the vibe goes a little deeper, it’s a little more visceral. The epic synth lines stand their ground for the introverted headphone listeners just as much as the extroverted twilight adventurers.
 
As we draw to a close, ‘Flugdisco’ helps things down a little easier with its melodious contemplative moods, the washes of star-lit pads and progressive arrangement. To finish things off in fine style, the 2010 Nang single ‘Space Scribal’ makes an appearance for old times sake. For those that were there, this is classic Baldelli and Rocca, for all you new fans, revel in the sonic supernova!
 
Preview Daniele Baldelli & DJ Rocca – Podalirius via Kudos Records.

Modern electronic grooves from Funkadiba – a duo that features the legendary Daniele Baldelli, are definitely an update of that classic Cosmic groove – lots of spare, stark beats mixed with synth and keyboard parts – but usually handled with a slightly warmer feel overall – one that almost shifts back from the 80s roots to grab a bit more 70s funk too – which is mixed in with the rhythms to deepen the soul of the cuts nicely! The track we leave you here, is a never released Ajello remix of Funkadiba’s master piece “I Must Feel Better”. Just for you. Enjoy!
 
Daniele Baldelli & Marco Dionigi – I Must Feel Better (Ajello Remix) – FREE DOWNLOAD by Ajello

The story of the Discotheque is shorter than you can imagine. If you go back to the late 70′s, when everything has begun, in Italy you can find a name: Daniele Baldelli.

 
When the word “DeeJay” didn’t exist, mixing and pre-listening neither, Baldelli found expedients to eliminate breaks between the tracks. He picked out untouchable records from abroad expanding his own music culture and bringing changes.
 From the public dance hall to the disco, from the smooch to the shake, from the orchestra to the deejay.
 
Daniele Baldelli was one of the main characters of the burst started with Baia Degli Angeli club that revealed a new way to think the Discotheque. When Cosmic’s turning point took place, he became a real landmark in Italian scene for those people who went massive to listen to his sound revolution.

 
With his passion, technical research and pioneer proofs, Baldelli has been a forerunner of the Dj’s figure.
 
Daniele Baldelli is available for DJ sets.