Bicycle Corporation present episode 25 of their Roots programme on Scientific Sound Asia. Scientific Sound Asia is an Asian electronic music radio station, promoter and music-news platform connecting audiences across the region and internationally.
Bicycle Corporation is the Italian partnership of DJ and producer Marco Mei and Stefano Ugliano, also known as 6884. Together, they have released more than 50 original tracks and remixes on a range of labels.
Marco began his musical career as a DJ in the early 1990s. Through the Urban People collective, he organised house music and techno events across Italy.
His profile grew through a residency at Pacha in Egypt. The recognition earned there led to international DJ bookings and took his work to audiences beyond Italy.
Stefano grew up in Torino, Italy, and showed an aptitude for music from a young age. He studied classical piano, percussion and drums, composed pieces by Chopin, and was drawn to the sound of West African djembes.
As a teenager, Stefano became increasingly interested in the figure of the DJ. The electronic beats that were difficult to find on Italian radio in the 1990s opened a new chapter in his life.
Roots draws on the records and influences behind Bicycle Corporation's electronic releases, including Funk, Disco, Soul, Afrobeat, Electro, Rare Groove, Hip Hop and Afrocentric sounds. Bicycle Corporation are available for booking via the Scientific Sound Asia DJ agency for Asia.
Bicycle Corporation's Roots episode 25 programme aired on 23 February 2020, opening with Alceu Valença's Pelas Ruas Que Andei, a Brazilian recording on Sony Music Entertainment. In Flagranti and Ayakamay's Kachi Kachi follows on Take It Easy with House Music elements, before Brooklyn Express' Change Position brings Nu-Disco from Sunpire Records.
Disco Bits' Funk Freak and La Batterie's Benedikt Frey remix of Let There Be Drums extend the rhythm-led opening without breaking its archive-minded character. Amin Peck's Coda, released through iM EDM, gives way to Hamilton Bohannon's Brunswick recording Bohannon's Beat and its firm funk foundation.
The Salsoul Orchestra's Runaway on Salsoul Records shifts the programme into disco, while Mr. K Edits' Sun Sun Sun keeps the vintage groove in view. Thelma Houston's Motown recording I'm Here Again introduces R&B, and B.T. Express' Energy to Burn on Roadshow Records returns the selection to funk.
Brooklyn Express' Hollywood Party on Mercury and Vincent Montana, Jr.'s The African Track on Philly Sound Works retain the dancefloor focus through extended rhythmic arrangements. The Salsoul Orchestra's Love Break on Ultra adds house-focused momentum before Chain Reaction's Dance Freak on P&P Records revisits Nu-Disco.
Frank Agrario's Nairobi Funk (Tom Tom Disco) leads into Fela Kuti and Africa 70's Opposite People, released by Wrasse Records and rooted in Afrobeat. Soul Train's This Ain't Yo Mama's on Alpaca Edits and Voyage's Point Zero on BMG Rights Management France SARL then bring the set back through disco and Nu-Disco.
Brian Briggs' Aeo, issued by Rhino, brings the cosmic and Italo Disco influence identified in the programme's later stretch. Black Soul's Bongo Drums on Vogue and Mistura Fina's Isto Eì O Que Eì A Batucada close with disco percussion and Brazilian Samba rhythms.
Bicycle Corporation Roots 025 show 23rd of February 2020
Alceu Valenca - Pelas Ruas Que Andei
In Flagranti, Ayakamay - Kachi Kachi
Brooklyn Express - Change Position
Disco Bits - Funk Freak
La Batterie - Let There Be Drums (Benedikt Frey Remix)
Amin Peck - Coda
Hamilton Bohannon - Bohannons' Beat
Salsoul Orchestra - Runaway
The Mr. K Edits - Sun Sun Sun
Thelma Houston - I'm Here Again
B.T. Express - Energy To Burn
Brooklyn Express - Hollywood Party
Vincent Montana, Jr - The African Track
Salsoul Orchestra - Love Break
Chain Reaction - Dance Freak
Frank Agrario - Nairobi Funk (Tom Tom Disco)
Fela Kuti And Africa 70 - Opposite People
Soul Train - This Ain't Yo Mama's
Voyage - Point Zero
Brian Briggs - Aeo
Black Soul - Bongo Drums
Mistura Fina - Isto Eì O Que Eì A Batucada
Listen on Mixcloud here.