Bicycle Corporation welcomed guest DJ Cao Ocampo for episode 49 of their Roots show on Scientific Sound Asia. Scientific Sound Asia is an Asian electronic music radio station, DJ agency, promoter and music-news platform connecting audiences across Asia and internationally.
Bicycle Corporation brings together Italian artists Marco Mei and Stefano Ugliano, also known as 6884. Their work spans Deep House, Tech House, French House and Techno, and has earned listeners in Italy and abroad.
Marco Mei began his career in the early 1990s through Urban People, a house and techno event series formed to bring together a varied crowd of music enthusiasts. His work and commitment gained recognition within Italian music circles.
Marco later extended his work beyond Italy, taking up a residency at Pacha in Egypt. As his international profile grew, he secured engagements around the world.
Stefano Ugliano was born in Torino, Italy, and showed musical ability early in life. He studied classical piano, percussion and drums, with influences ranging from Chopin to the rhythms of the West African djembe.
His interest in electronic music developed during his teenage years in the 1990s, when Italian radio rarely featured DJ-produced music. That interest became a commitment to DJing and production.
Marco and Stefano formed Bicycle Corporation through a shared musical vision and determination. Their collaboration has produced numerous tracks and remixes for audiences around the world.
The pair have revisited and reissued some of their earliest work through a dedicated Bandcamp page, recognising the beginnings of their partnership. Their Roots radio show presents leading DJs and producers from Asia's electronic music scene.
Guest DJ Cao Ocampo.
This week's guest DJ is Filipino artist Cao Ocampo, whose real name is Carlo Ocampo. Born and raised in Manila, Philippines, Cao began his journey into music at the young age of 11.
His early passion for DJing was sparked by his growing collection of vinyl records, focusing on genres like Rap, Hip Hop, and RnB, with additional inspiration drawn from his father's extensive Jazz and Funk collection. These early influences laid the foundation for his diverse and evolving musical tastes.
By the late 1990s, Cao’s interests began shifting towards electronic music. In his free time, he explored genres like Trance, immersing himself in the works of legendary artists such as System F, ATB, Paul Van Dyk, Sasha, and Digweed. This period marked a turning point in his musical journey, broadening his perspective and deepening his appreciation for electronic sounds.
As Cao matured, his musical preferences gravitated towards House music. Influences from iconic labels and compilations like Naked Music and Stereo Sushi played a significant role in defining his style. Over time, House music became his primary genre, gradually surpassing his earlier interests in Rap, Hip Hop, and Trance.
Today, Cao Ocampo is a respected name in the Filipino electronic music scene. Performing regularly across the Philippines, he brings his dynamic energy and carefully curated sets to a variety of venues. In addition to his live performances, Cao hosts a show on Radio Philippines, further showcasing his passion for music and his dedication to connecting with listeners.
In this week's guest mix, Cao Ocampo takes listeners on a journey through the roots of his DJing career, skillfully blending the influences that have shaped his musical path with his current passion for House music. His 'Roots' episode is a vibrant celebration of diverse sounds, weaving together Nu Disco, Funky House, Jazz Rap, and Soulful R&B.
The set transitions seamlessly from the jazzy rhymes of Digable Planets to the irresistible groove of Moodena's "Boogie Monsta," creating an atmosphere of pure musical joy.
Whether you're reminiscing over timeless Hip Hop classics like A Tribe Called Quest's "Can I Kick It?" or moving to modern house gems like Moon Rocket's "Funk U!," this mix is a testament to Cao's versatility and deep appreciation for a variety of genres.
Bicycle Corporation's Roots 49 with guest Cao Ocampo opens with Les Nubians' Sweetest Taboo and Digable Planets' Pacifics. Lighter Shade of Brown's On A Sunday Afternoon brings West Coast Hip Hop through Pump Records, before A Tribe Called Quest's Can I Kick It? adds Hip Hop from Jive.
Angie Stone featuring Snoop's I Wanna Thank Ya moves into Nu-Disco on J Records, followed by Crayon featuring KLP's Darrius remix of Give You Up on Partyfine. Yeah Boy's Sam Padrul remix of Can't Get Enough, released through One More Tune, supplies an Electronica touch after the Mainstage direction of Crayon's remix.
Tina Turner's Zimmer remix of What's Love Got To Do leads into Barbara Mason's Dr. Packer remix of Another Man, a House Music selection on Essential Media Group. Dimi Stuff's I'll Be Good on Charmed Life Music introduces Indie Dance, while Moodena's Boogie Monsta returns to Nu-Disco via Tropical Disco Records.
Yogi featuring Natalie Conway's Do Or Don't and Questlife featuring Sugarhill Gang's Laroye Powerfunk Mix of Fever bridge the middle of the selection. James Dexter's Forward on Large Music establishes Deep House, before Alex Mills' Into The Blue on Z Records returns the focus to Nu-Disco.
Lumoon's La Disquette precedes Da Lukas' Let The Rhythm Ride, a Nu-Disco cut released through Cut Rec. Lumoon and Rob!n's La Papaye on Clubstar brings back Deep House, then Walterino's Disco Klap on Purple Disco Records restores the Indie Dance thread.
Tom Hunter's Kiss (You Don't Have To) makes way for Moodena's What Da Funk on Tropical Disco Records. Doug Willis' Joey Negro Disco Rebuild Edit of Dancin' 2020 on Toolroom leads into Moon Rocket's Funk U!, closing the programme with Disco on Moon Rocket Music.
Roots episode 049 with Cao Ocampo
Les Nubians - Sweetest Taboo
Digable Planets - Pacifics
Lighter Shade of Brown - On A Sunday Afternoon
A Tribe Called Quest - Can I Kick It?
Angie Stone Ft. Snoop - I Wanna Thank Ya
Crayon Ft. KLP - Give You Up (Darrius Remix)
Yeah Boy - Can't Get Enough (Sam Padrul Remix)
Tina Turner - What's Love Got To Do (Zimmer Remix)
Barbara Mason - Another Man (Dr. Packer Remix)
Dimi Stuff - I'll Be Good
Moodena - Boogie Monsta
Yogi Ft. Natalie Conway - Do Or Don't
Questlife Ft. Sugarhill Gang - Fever (Laroye Powerfunk Mix)
James Dexter - Forward
Alex Mills - Into The Blue (Original Mix)
Lumoon - La Disquette
Da Lukas - Let The Rhythm Ride (Original Mix)
Lumoon, Rob!n - La Papaye (Original Mix)
That Needs An Edit - Turn Me On
Walterino - Disco Klap (Main Mix)
Tom Hunter - Kiss (You Don't Have To)
Moodena - What Da Funk
Doug Willis - Dancin' 2020 (Joey Negro Disco Rebuild Edit)
Moon Rocket - Funk U!
Listen on Mixcloud here.