Sparks
So Important

A year after the release of Oxygène by Jean Michel Jarre, a milestone for electronic music, “Automat" was released in Italy, a timeless record that has influenced the years to come. Released in 1978 by EMI Italia, the album has been produced by two veteran italian songwriters and composers, Romano Musumarra and Claudio Gizzi after meeting Mario Maggi, one of the major innovators in the manufacturing of electronic instruments in Italy. Maggi invented the first programmable monophonic synthesizer ever made: the MCS70. Its sounds have been the basis for the production of the whole Automat album. That synth was used only for this record and remained a prototype, leaving a halo of mystery behind this record.The album moves in the furrows of an atypical space disco, with abstract classical arias alternating with more sustained rhythms, which combine electronic experiments, progressive psychedelic journeys with cinematic themes. The A Side, composed by Gizzi is an electronic disco-tinged suite divided into three parts (The Rise, The Advance, The Genius). Ater a brief spatial intro, the insistent arpeggio expands into a soundtrack theme with a sumptuous melody, which slowly fades away to make room for a progressive psychedelic journey. The B Side, composed by Musumarra, is made by three tracks, including ‘Droid‘, one of the most representative songs of the electronic music of the early eighties. A magic sequence between the bassline, the electro drums, and the spatial disco theme with a futuristic and cinematic mood. This is a record that has influenced the music of our days and after 40 years may still sound contemporary.

Paul Hardcastle is marking the 30th anniversary of his 1985 anti-war hit "19" with a celebratory vinyl release that collects 14 versions of the career-defining single. 19: The 30th Anniversary Mixes includes remastered versions of the original mixes: the full length version (from the original 12-inch), the popular Destruction Mix and The Final Story version - the latter actually being the 'requiem' element which is the second part of that remix. Also, issued for the first time commercially is Hardcastle's demo of "19" that he recorded in his mom's front room! These originals are combined with a number of contemporary, creative reworkings (mostly by Hardcastle himself), some of which date from 2010 when he revisited the track to create variations such as History Keeps Repeating Itself and Welcome to Hell. The Inner Changes Mix is actually Victims of War (Pt 1) from 2010 and the Cryogenic Freeze Mix dates from 2012 when 19 Below Zero was issued.In April 1985 Paul Hardcastle’s seminal track "19" entered the UK top 40 singles chart at #4. A week later it went to #1 where it remained for 5 consecutive weeks. Not even Duran Duran, on the back of the blockbuster movie A View To A Kill, could shift it! "19" was subsequently released worldwide, achieving overall sales in excess of 6,000,000 copies and hitting the #1 spot in 13 different countries as well as #1 on the US dance charts and #15 on the main Billboard Hot 100.Paul Hardcastle said: “The message of 19 is as poignant today as it is was 30 years ago. Soldiers are coming back from the frontline of battle and are not being supported on their return to Civvy Street. Statistics recently showed more soldiers are committing suicide than died in battle."

For the latest volume in Planet E's long-running Detroit Love compilation, label boss Carl Craig has handed over to DJ Holographic (real name Ariel Corley), a rising star of the Motor City scene. It's a hugely entertaining collection told, with Corley doing her best to showcase artists on the up - from both Detroit and elsewhere - as well as established stars of the underground. Musically, it's as diverse and mixed-up as you'd expect, kicking off with revivalist Afrobeat (Underground System), slick deep house (Pontchartrain with Javontte) and revivalist '80s soul (Shri Schwartz), before taking in everything from broken house and nu-disco, to sci-fi techno, sleazy warehouse jams, sleazy acid, percussion-rich Latin house and much more besides.