Mesmerising Mediterranean melodies on Soul Clap Record's 'Italo Funk 2'

10 magical tracks showcasing the spellbinding sounds of the Italian dance underground

Words by Rocco Universal

Eli Soul Clap returns to the temperate shores of the Italian peninsula to once again harvest an immaculate selection of futurist funk gems. The Soul Clap message has always been passionately devoured by the Italian dance underground, and this majestic collection serves as another reciprocal love letter to the nation's polychromatic club culture.

The ten-track compilation follows on from the first 'Italo Funk' volume that chimed such a celestial chord with the dance underground when it landed back in 2019. A few of the faces may have changed, but the music curated within is every bit as enchanting as its much-loved predecessor, with the chosen tracks weaving a gloriously luminous tapestry from diverse but exquisitely complementary Italo-dance threads. 'Volume 2' arrives as a heartfelt tribute to Italo-house standard-bearer, Claudio Coccoluto, who sadly left this mortal coil in March of this year, and is dearly missed by all who knew him or admired his indelible work.

First to arrive are the secretive Berlin-based duo of Stump Valley with their breathtaking contribution 'Venaria', with its free-spirited lead gracefully skipping over deeply-rooted bass and vintage machine drum rhythms. Milan-based party starters Rollover DJs are next in action, summoning a waking dream with the tantalising harmonics and stripped percussion of their gorgeously atmospheric track, 'Buonasera'.

The inclusion of Coccoluto's hyper-infectious 'Go Goblin' serves as a poignant reminder of the late, great artist's unique affinity with discerning dancers, as its leviathan bassline charges from the speakers like a new-wave locomotive before twisted synth swirls deviantly undulate to induce hallucinatory floor-filling eruption. Masterful three-piece Funk Rimini then hit hard with the contagious slap-bass, dextrous synth work, and propulsive stabs of 'King Of Style', effortlessly bridging stylistic boundaries as their funk-flecked jam builds to a joyous, club-ready crescendo.

Long time Soul Clap friend, producer, DJ and broadcaster Lele Sacchi drives us deep into nocturnal realms with his throbbing acid workout, 'Slow Down Rock', summoning the energy of bygone Milan clubs Tunnel and Magazzini Generali as the thick groove seduces enraptured floors. Having been born in Italy's deep south to a Calabrese father and an English rose of a mother, I was lucky enough to be eligible for selection here, and am incredibly honoured that a track I recorded under my Rocco Universal moniker was chosen to sit alongside such an amazing ensemble of creators. 'Somewhere Else' is my lockdown-induced meditation on my ever-wondering mind, where tripped-out synth swirls hover over a marimba-esque Moog melody as dubby beats and distant echoes permeate twilight skies.

Venerated production Maestro and skilled selector DJ Rocca joins forces with Capofortuna on 'Potage', where striking warehouse stabs swirl over growling bass and rolling breaks for a deliciously deviant late-night strut. Brioski then detours directly into dark electro-funk topography with the irresistible groove of 'Bionic Breaks', where bubbling bass, staccato synth textures and crisp, broken drums power the intoxicating rhythm.

DJ Rame joins Funk Rimini to combine as Capofortuna with the bass-driven groove of 'Dopo La Tempesta', where UK garage flavours combine with Italo house funk for a devastatingly kinetic floor-filling colossus. Last but by no means least, DJ Rocca sees the compilation home in stunning style with his sublime closing track, 'Don't Be Worried', with its scintillating flute melody, mesmerising stabs and effervescent bass notes elegantly combining over purposeful machine drums.

Of course, I'm biased, but even objectively speaking, this is an incredible record. Sending peace, love and oneness to the Eli and the Soul Clap family, and to each and every inspired creator included on this breathtaking album.

Italo Funk 2 is out now, you can buy it here

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