Bicycle Corporation present Roots episode 14 on Scientific Sound Asia. Scientific Sound Asia is an Asian electronic music radio station, promoter and music-news platform connecting audiences across Asia and internationally.
Bicycle Corporation brings together Italian DJ and producer Marco Mei and Stefano Ugliano, also known as 6884. The pair have released a variety of productions across House Music and Techno.
Marco began DJing in 1991 with Urban People, organising events throughout Italy. His work drew the attention of Pacha, where a residency led to international performances and travel.
Raised in Torino, Italy, Stefano showed an early aptitude for music and mathematics. He studied classical piano, percussion and drums, with Chopin and West African djembes among his interests.
As a young musician, Stefano became increasingly interested in the role of the disc jockey. Electronic beats were scarce on Italian radio during the 1990s, yet they marked the beginning of a new phase in his life.
Roots draws on the influences that inform Bicycle Corporation's electronic productions, including Funk, Disco, Soul, Afrobeat, Electro, Rare Groove, Hip Hop and Afrocentric music. For bookings for events in Asia and elsewhere, contact the DJ agency.
Roots Episode 14 opens with Astrud Gilberto and Amazonia before Eddy Grant provides the first Caribbean connection through “California Style.” Frantique, Jimmy Bo Horne and The Fatback Band then establish a strong Funk and disco thread built around rhythm sections, brass and dancefloor grooves.
Gilberto Gil’s “Toda Menina Baiana” receives Ashley Beedle’s Black Bahia treatment before two Orfeu Negro selections deepen the episode’s Brazilian focus. Jorge Ben, Coaty De Oliveira and Nazaré Pereira return to that strand later in the programme, making Brazilian music one of the most persistent elements across the full selection.
Ruts DC, Martha And The Muffins, Chaz Jankel and Secession shift the programme into post-punk, new wave and electronic territory. Steve Reich’s “Music For 18 Musicians” then introduces Experimental minimalism before Greg Wilson’s edit of Gilberto Gil reconnects the set with Brazilian rhythm and club re-edit culture.
Wall Of Voodoo and The Tubes maintain the left-field electronic and rock influence before Yma Sumac introduces another Latin American reference. Bobby O and Daniele Baldelli later move the programme towards Disco and electronic club music, contrasting with the largely live-instrument material heard earlier.
Ralph MacDonald precedes Anna and Depeche Mode, with “Shout!” bringing Synth Pop into the closing section. Eek-A-Mouse then adds Reggae before Maceo Parker finishes the programme with “Soul Power 74,” returning firmly to funk.
Across Roots Episode 14, Brazilian music and funk provide the strongest foundations, supported by disco, reggae, synth-pop, experimental music and rare groove. The unusually wide range shows the Roots series reaching beyond house and club music into the source material, regional styles and older recordings that fed later electronic dance culture.
Bicycle Corporation Roots 14
Astrud Gilberto - Aruanda
Amazonia - Caboclo De Pena
Eddy Grant - California Style
Frantique - Strut Your Funky Stuf
Jimmy Bo Horne - Gimme Some
Michael Zager - Like A Tiger (Uptown Mix)
The Fatback Band - Hey I Feel Real Good
Gilberto Gil - Toda Menina Baiana (Ashley Beedle-s Black Bahia Rework)
Orfeu Negro - Bossa Nova
Orfeu Negro - Baiao Rojao Maracatu
Ruts Dc - Accusation
Martha And The Muffins - M M Sins Of Children
Chaz Jankel - Rêve De Chèvre
Secession - Touch (Part 4)
Steve Reich - Music For 18 Musicians
Gilberto Gil - Maracatu Atômico (Greg Wilson)
Wall Of Voodoo - Factory
The Tubes - Drums
Yma Sumac - Tree Of Life
Jorge Ben - Amor De Carnaval
Coaty De Oliveira - Capoeira De Santana
Nazare Pereira - Flecha De Fogo
Bobby O - Still Hott 4 U
Daniele Baldelli - Tangram
Ralph Macdonald - Calypso Path
Anna - Systems Breaking Down
Depeche Mode - Shout!
Eek-a-Mouse - ...Wa-Do-Dem
Maceo Parker - Soul Power 74
Listen on Mixcloud here.