Bicycle Corporation presents Roots episode 23 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 is an electronic duo comprising Italian DJ and producer Marco Mei and Stefano Ugliano, also known as 6884. Together, they have released more than 50 productions and remixes spanning French House and Techno.
Marco began his DJ career in the early 1990s and organised Techno and House Music events across Italy under the name Urban People. His work led to a residency at the international Pacha venue in Egypt and later DJ appearances around the world.
Stefano grew up in Torino, Italy, and developed his musical ability through classical piano, percussion and drums from a young age. He drew inspiration from Chopin’s compositions as well as the melodic rhythms of West African djembes.
As a teenager, Stefano became fascinated by the figure of the DJ playing records. Electronic beats were difficult to find on Italian radio during the 1990s, but that interest opened a new chapter in his life.
Roots examines the records and styles that inform Bicycle Corporation’s electronic releases, including Funk, Disco, Soul, Afrobeat, Electro, Rare Groove and Hip Hop. Bicycle Corporation are available for booking through the Scientific Sound Asia DJ agency for Asia.
Bicycle Corporation Roots episode 23 show opens with Bill Laswell’s Work Song, a Jazz Music selection on KP&P - Celluloid N.Y. Will Powers’ Adventures In Success follows with Synth Pop, Downtempo and Dub elements, before Quincy Jones’ Poppy Girls on Geffen* changes the opening palette.
Ramsey Lewis’ Sun Goddess and Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin’s Before Its Too Late extend the early instrumental focus. Yellowman’s Under Mi Fat Thing on Greensleeves Records then introduces Reggae to the programme.
The Tubes bring a rock edge through Drums on Capitol Records, before Tortuga’s Grand Drum on Best Record turns towards Italo Disco. Cesaria Evora’s Nho Antone Escaderode, issued through RCA Records Label, brings African musical character into the sequence.
Jkriv featuring Sivuca’s Nada De Sol and Ferias ’77’s Relaxa in the Jkriv Rework lead into Gal Costa’s O Gosto Do Amor on Philips. Its Brazilian MPB setting is followed by Rose Royce’s R&B cut Do Your Dance on Rhino/Warner Records, while the earlier tracks retain a clear Funk connection.
James Brown appears twice with Ain’t It Funky Now (Part 1 & 2) on Polydor and the live Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine on Goldenlane Records. Donald Byrd’s Thank You For Funking Up My Life and David Matthews, Micheal Brecker and David Sanborn’s Super Funky Sax keep the emphasis on Funk before Billy Cobham’s rock-informed A Funky Kind Of Thing on Rhino Atlantic.
Eumir Deodato’s Also Sprach Zarathustra on Sony Music Entertainment returns to Brazilian material before George Benson’s Shark Bite on Warner Bros. Records and Azymuth’s Maracana on Black Sun Music revisit Jazz Music. Alphonze Mouzon closes the selection with By All Means on Blue Note, giving the final passage a Disco lift.
Bicycle Corporation Roots 23 26th of January 2020
Bill Laswell - Work Song
Will Powers - Adventures In Success
Quincy Jones - Poppy Girls
Ramsey Lewis - Sun Goddess
Lee Ritenour Dave Grusin - Before Its Too Late
Yellowman - Under Mi Fat Thing
The Tubes - Drums
Tortuga - Grand Drum
Cesaria Evora - Nho Antone Escaderode
Jkriv Feat Sivuca - Nada De Sol
Ferias '77 - Relaxa (Jkriv Rework)
Gal Costa - O Gosto Do Amor
Rose Royce - Do Your Dance
James Brown - Ain't It Funky Now (Part 1 & 2)
James Brown - Get Up I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine (Live)
Donald Byrd - Thank You For Funking Up My Life
David Matthews, Micheal Brecker & David Sanborn - Super Funky Sax
Billy Cobham - A Funky Kind Of Thing
Eumir Deodato - Also Sprach Zarathustra
George Benson - Shark Bite
Azymuth - Maracana
Alphonze Mouzon - By All Means
Listen on Mixcloud here.