4 New Italo Editions 12″s OUT NOW!

OUT NOW: THE NEXT 4 DARK ENTRIES EDITIONS 12″ ARE RELEASED TODAY. All are Italo Disco rarities originally released between 1983-1985.

Ghibli is the solo project of musician, producer and vocalist Alberto Garbelli from Milan, Italy. At the age of 23 he opened up a comic book and saw the word ‘Ghibli’ which is the name of the North African desert wind and also— a Maserati car model. Inspired by Klaus Nomi and Nina Hagen, he began to sing in an operatic fashion. During this time Alberto would frequent local discotheques. Watching the unique mix of performers and dancers, Alberto lost his inhibitions and found the freedom to become an artist.

“I’m Looking For You” is the debut single from Ghibli released on Durium Records in 1985. The song features Roland synthesizers, a Linn Drum machine and Yamaha DX-7 chimes/bells punctuating throughout. Lyrically, the song focuses on the continual search for the perfect lover. The song appears to have what many think to be backup female vocals when in reality it is Alberto singing in falsetto. On the B-side is a shorter instrumental version stripped down to the ominous chant – making for a darker, driving track. Ghibli is mixed by his friend, producer and musician Tony Carrasco who was also one of the DJs at Studio 54 in New York. Carrasco, initially, was the one who took Alberto into the studio to record some music.

All songs have been remastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. Housed in an exact replica of the original jacket that features a portrait of Alberto in a suit and bowtie. Each copy includes a postcard with lyrics and notes plus a bookmark with the hand-drawn Ghibli font.

Some Bizarre is a trio formed in Bergamo, Italy in 1983. The line-up is Marino Scarabelli (music, producer), Tiberio “Tyber” Scarfone (arrangement, producer) and Stefano Brignoli (lyrics, vocals). Tiberio was a DJ at a local discotheque where he met his bandmate Marino. Initially, they wanted to use the name Funny Marvin ”but decided on Some Bizarre. After recruiting and collaborating Stefano for vocals, who is credited on the record with the initials S.B., they were convinced of his talents.

“Don’t Be Afraid” was their first composition, recorded in Milan in 1983 and released on the famed italo record label Il Discotto the same year. The song was composed by Marino as lyrics were written by Stefano sitting on the sofa in the studio. The band created their signature sound using a Mini Moog, Prophet 5, Korg Synthesizer and Linn Drum. Stefano sings about a romantic night dancing with a lover where they forget about reality and are on an adventurous dream. The lyrical melody was based on Bach’s most famous organ piece, Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Backup vocalist Enrica Danesi adds a powerful call-and-response in the chorus heightening the dramatic feel to the song. The B-side features an exact instrumental version of the original.

Both songs have been remastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. The vinyl comes housed in a newly designed jacket by Eloise Leigh inspired by the song’s themes of liquid love, heartbreak and moonlight against a Rococo column. Each copy includes a double-side postcard insert with lyrics and notes set against a disco parquet floor.

Brand Image is a trio formed in Bergamo, Italy in 1983. Created by the same group of musicians as their previous project Some Bizarre. The line-up is Marino Scarabelli (music, producer), Tiberio “Tyber” Scarfone (arrangement, producer) and Stefano Brignoli (lyrics) and vocalist Mauro Farina. Originally, Stefano sang the song but his performance was too close to the brand new Some Bizarre single, so they recruited Mauro for distinction.

“Are You Loving” was recorded at Regson Studio in Milan in 1983 and released on Il Discotto the same year. Similar in approach to Some Bizarre, the song’s music was composed by Marino as lyrics were written by Stefano with sitting on the sofa in the studio. The band created their signature sound using a Mini Moog, Prophet 5, Korg Synthesizer, Linn Drum. Mauro’s vocals are warm as he aggressively debates internally going out dancing or staying in and ordering take out. Where “Don’t Be Afraid” ”was the trio’s first experience at songwriting, ””Are You Loving”” became a popular hit and gave the group strength and enthusiasm to continue this musical path. Tiberio was a fan of the Italian pop group ”Pooh”” and their song “Non Siamo In Pericolo” ”had a solo break with an electric guitar and background bells that section inspired the guitar and claps solo in “Are You Loving”. Enrica Danesi makes a return appearance with her signature call-and-response back up vocals during the chorus. On the B-side is the instrumental version with extended breaks, drum claps and dubbed out bass lines.

Both songs have been remastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. The vinyl comes housed in an exact replica of the original 1983 edition with bright yellow and magenta line graphics against a black background. Each copy includes a double-side postcard insert with lyrics and notes.

Dario Dell’Aere is a New Wave musician, producer and singer from Milan, Italy. At the end of the 1970’s Dario performed in a mime show that was influenced by the glam cliches of David Bowie. In 1979, Dario met Victor Life outside a cinema and began a lifelong collaboration of projects: Diamond Dogs, Ice Eyes and Fockewulf 190. Musically, the duo were inspired by the Human League’s “Reproduction” and John Foxx’s “Metamatic” and visually they took cues from New Romantic’s Visage and Ultravox. With the Fockewulf 190 moniker, they created their own dark blend of Italo disco releasing the hit singles “Gitano” and “Body Heat” in 1984.

By the end of 1984 the duo took a break and Dario went into the studio and recorded his debut solo single “Eagles In The Night”. One of the most coveted Italo Disco 12”s, it was released in 1985 on Market Records. The song features unique xylophone-like synthesizer notes that Dario’s deep vocals float over. Lyrically, the song is about a spirit that flies above the heights of the world in search of a true love to share with a partner. Clocking in at over 8-minutes of melancholic, the song’s mid-tempo kitsch comes with backing vocals from Dario’s sister, Nora Dell’Aere. On the B-side is the shorter instrumental version with the occasional “oh wacky co-co” refrains from Dario.

Both songs have been remastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. The vinyl comes housed in an exact replica of the original 1985 edition with a black and white drawing by Dario’s wife, Tiziana Dell’Aere. Each copy includes a double-side postcard insert with lyrics and notes.

THE NEXT 3 DARK ENTRIES REISSUES 12″ ARE RELEASED MAY 2ND.
All 3 albums were originally released between 1980-1982

ZYX are the duo of Inge Graf and Walter Zyx. They formed in Vienna, Austria in 1977. Committing themselves to the “aestheticisation of everyday life” in all fields of art, their works with video, photography, graphic design, and music are visually influenced by Pop Art, Constructivism, Futurism, Dadaism, Beat culture, and the electronic rock of the 60s and 70s. They are considered pioneers of multimedia art worldwide, and continue to remain active to this day.

‘Trust No Woman’ is the debut album from ZYX, and was released in 1981 on the label RCA Music. It was recorded, mixed and mastered from March to August 1981 at their own Sun Moon & Stars Studio Vienna. They designed short, punchy songs around a barrage of analogue synths, rock-solid electro beats and tempered, low-key vocals. Cold and claustrophobic atmospheres collide with mechanical rhythms The songs are sung in English with a heavy German accent, and lyrics channel obscure existentialist dialogues.
Despite the sombre tone, there lingers a touch of the enthusiasm that accompanied the influx of affordable technologies and new media of the era. It is a album that advances on the ideas set forth by The Human League, Cabaret Voltaire, Tuxedomoon and Yello.

All songs have been remastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. The vinyl comes housed in replica of the original jacket design, which features a photograph from a video still by ZYX. Each LP includes a copy of the double sided 11×11 full color insert that was included with the original pressing, which features photos and
lyrics. Faced with the increasingly blurry line between human and machine, they approach their art with a still-potent blend of ambivalence, optimism, and melancholy.

Lunapark is the trio of Burkhard Ballein, Klaus “Schlips” Gebauer, Reinhard “Zoppen” Benisch from Wuppertal, Germany. The boys were dissatisfied with their surrounding musical environment in 1981, so they set off to create their own brand of Neue Deutsche Welle (NDW “New German Wave”). Their influences included classics such as The Beatles, Colloseum, Roxy Music, and Frank Zappa, as well as New Wave and punk acts like Sex Pistols, Ian Dury & The Blockheads, Blondie and The Cure.

“Gefangene Vögel’ (‘Prisoner Birds’) is their debut album, which was released by Stuttgart-based Intakt-Records in 1982. They recorded 10 tracks using a simple set up of guitar, bass, drums, drum-computer, and Korg MS-10 & MS-20 synthesizers. Songs range from the Belgian-leaning industrial and cold sounds to more typically NDW-influenced quirkiness. In the vein of Sad Lovers and Giants and Schleimer K, they blend post-punk and new wave music with electronic elements. The monotone German vocals epitomize the Zeitgeist of the Cold War.

All songs have been remastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. The vinyl comes housed in a replica of the original jacket design, which features a drawing of birds on a grid. There are 4 different color versions of the screen printed jacket: blue, yellow, magenta and turquoise. Each LP includes a copy of the double sided 11×11 insert that was included with the original pressing with lyrics and photos.

Dark Entries is proud to present “Household Shocks”, a 16-track compilation of UK DIY/Synth/New Wave/Post-Punk originally released in 1980. The album showcases 9 bands from the thriving post-punk scene in Scunthorpe and the North of England. Operating on a shoestring budget, co-producers Chris Leaning and Paul Singleton (both of One Gang Logic), released “Household Shocks” on Stark Products, a label they founded in 1979. At almost 50 minutes of music, the album took four weeks to produce at the Studio Playground in Lincoln. It was supported heavily by the late Radio 1 DJ John Peel.

In July 1980 Paul Singleton and Chris Leaning opened a record shop in Lincolnshire, England. It opened under the name “All Tomorrow’s Parties”, but later moved to the city center and was renamed “Parade.” Through their growing local music scene and the separation of economic classes, their shop became the hangout for the local punk movement. It was there that the idea for “Household Shocks”, a compilation of their friend’s bands, was born. THUNDERBOYS offer three punky pop blazers and feature Carmel McCourt who who subsequently achieved chart success with her band Carmel. PRODUCT OF REASON contribute three haunting synthesizer heavy numbers. SINKING SHIPS supply two tracks of off-kilter dubbed out angst (‘Weight Loss’ is the best Gang of Four song not by the Gang of Four). JUVENILES provide two power pop jams. MYSTERY GIRLS supply one track of quirky post-punk that recalls The Prats. DEFECTORS, a female fronted quartet featuring COUM Transmissions affiliate Tony Menzies, grant us one superb track of somber gothic new wave. FAULT 151 serve a slice of wistful Flying Nun-esque indie pop featuring a 14-year old bassist. URBANTECH, a short-lived synth-punk outfit, deliver one delirious track. ONE GANG LOGIC contribute two metallic synthesizer drenched pieces and close the album with a somber atmosphere.

All songs have been remastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. The vinyl comes housed in replica of Chris Leaning’s original jacket design, which features a black and white photograph of a doll shocked by a vacuum cleaner. Each LP includes a copy of the double sided 11×11 insert that was included with the original pressing. “It was such an exciting time for everyone involved, creating and producing music was still quite new to many of us let alone running a record label and pressing vinyl” – Chris Leaning, 2015.