Bicycle Corporation publish their tracklist for 'Roots' 165.

Bicycle Corporation have released the playlist for Roots episode 165, broadcast on Scientific Sound Asia. The series continues to reflect the station’s role as an Asian electronic music platform, promoter and DJ agency connecting underground scenes across the region and internationally.

Bicycle Corporation is the long-standing Italian collaboration between DJ and producer Marco Mei and musician Stefano Ugliano, also known as 6884. Together, they have built a catalogue rooted in house and techno culture, shaped by musical depth and club-focused sensibility.

Marco began his journey in the early 1990s, organising events across Italy under the Urban People banner. These grassroots parties helped establish his reputation within the underground, eventually leading to a key residency at Pacha Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt. That period marked a turning point, opening the door to international bookings and performances alongside respected figures from the global electronic music community.

Stefano, raised in Torino, showed strong musical ability from a young age. His formative years were spent studying classical piano, percussion and drums, developing a deep appreciation for both European composition, including the works of Chopin, and the rhythmic traditions of West African djembe.

This broad musical grounding would later become central to his approach to electronic production.

While classically trained, it was the role of the DJ that truly captured Stefano’s imagination.

At a time when electronic music was largely absent from Italian radio, the energy of club culture and the power of electronic rhythm pushed him toward production and experimentation. His meeting with Marco brought together two complementary paths, leading to the formation of Bicycle Corporation.

As their catalogue continues to evolve, the duo remain connected to their roots. With several early releases recently returning from label contracts, Bicycle Corporation have made these works available via their Bandcamp page, offering listeners a chance to explore the foundations of their sound while Roots episode 165 carries that same spirit forward.

The opening stretch leans heavily into Afro-rooted disco and experimental selections, with African Connection and Cosmic Factory setting a raw, rhythmic tone. Jazz rock textures from Pietons and Afrobeat foundations from Synchro System expand the palette before nu disco reinterpretations such as African In New York introduce a modern dancefloor pulse rooted in African identity.

As the mix unfolds, classic disco and Afro-inflected house begin to take centre stage. Mas Que Nada receives an Afro house rework, while edits of Yes I Know and What You Don’t Know bridge soul, disco and contemporary club energy. These moments underline how the selection connects heritage recordings with present-day dancefloor language.

The middle section explores deeper and funkier territory, moving through the off-kilter deep house of Jeg Vil Være Søppelmann, funk-driven edits like Big Flow, and disco staples including Love Is The Message. Samba rhythms and Brazilian influences surface through Samba and Simbora, adding warmth and organic movement to the flow.

Closing selections lean into celebratory disco and house energy, with jackin house flavours from So Funky, Afro electronica via Go Deh Yaka, and lifted disco cuts such as Discomania and Do What U Wanna Do. Episode 165 closes as a joyful global dance journey, uniting Afro, funk, disco and house into a cohesive Roots experience.

Bicycle Corporation 'Roots' episode 165.

Arte Noir - African Connection [EMI]

Jan Ackerman - Pietons [CBS]

G&D - Cosmic Factory [G&D]

King Sunny Ade and His African Beats - Synchro System [Island Records]

Ken@Work - African In New York [Spa In Disco]

Gary Chris, Ken@Work - Disco De Janeiro [Hive Label]

Fila Kuti, Ken@Work - Sowetto Groove [Spa In Disco]

Sergio Mendes, Peppe Citarella - Mas Que Nada (Union Afro Demo Mix) [Iside Music (IT)]

Pino Daniele - Yes I Know (Fc 2016 Epic Remix) [Pino Daniele]

The Jackson 5 - What You Don't Know (Edit By Mr K) [Rock Mo Records, Inc]

Oral Caress - Charlie's Angels (Disco Version) [P&P Records]

MFSB, Nicholas - Love Is The Message [Philadelphia International Records]

Hollywood - 4 Side A [Special Disco Mixer]

Indian Ocean - School Bell / Treehouse [Sleeping Bag Records]

Mamba Percussions - Samba [Disques Pierre Verany]

Bjørn Torske - Jeg Vil Være Søppelmann [SVK]

Manu Di Bango - Big Flow (V's Can't Cool Edit) [V's edits]

Marta Acuna - -Dance- Dance- Dance- (Superlover Edit) [Soundcloud]

Matthias Heilbronn - You Can Get It [Pata De Perro]

T-connection, Micheal The Lion - Do What U Wanna Do [T.K. Records]

Fatback Band, Mitiko - Are You Ready [Fruity Flavor]

Hamilton Bohannon, Mitiko - Foot Stompin Music [Fruity Flavor]

James Brown, Mixtek - So Funky [Mood Funk Records]

Monyaka - Go Deh Yaka (Dr Packer Remix) [Easy Street Records]

Paulinho Da Costa - Simbora - Mr V Edit [V's edits]

Piero Umiliani - Discomania (Jolly Mare Lifting) [Four Flies Records]

Listen on Mixcloud here.