Bicycle Corporation, the collaboration between Marco Mei and Stefano Ugliano, presents Roots Episode 18 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 comprises Italian DJ and producer Marco Mei and Stefano Ugliano, also known as 6884. Marco began DJing in Turin in the early 1990s and became associated with the Urban People collective.
Performing under the Urban People name took Marco to cities across Italy before he secured a residency at Pacha in Sharm el-Sheikh. That period led to an international profile and bookings in countries around the world, allowing him to share music with varied audiences and experience different cultures.
Stefano was born and raised in Torino, where the region's cultural life helped foster his early connection to music. From his formative years, he pursued classical piano, percussion and drums with sustained curiosity and dedication.
His interests span Chopin's compositions and the rhythmic complexity of West African djembes, influences that informed his musical outlook. As a teenager, the image of “the guy spinning records” increasingly appealed to him, even though electronic music was difficult to find on Italian radio during the 1990s.
Together, Bicycle Corporation has released more than fifty productions and remixes through labels including Alchemy, Miniatures, WL77, Suka and GrooveTraxx. Their electronic releases draw on Funk, Disco, Soul, Afrobeat, Electro, Rare Groove, Hip Hop and Afrocentric reference points.
Marco is based in Taipei and works across a wider Southeast Asian network, while Bicycle Corporation uses Roots to explore music beyond club-focused material. The duo is available for bookings through the DJ agency in Asia, and Marco broadcasts weekly on the radio station.
Roots Episode 18 opens with Ditongo’s “Berimbau,” a sample-led piece built around samba before Gilberto Gil strengthens the Brazilian connection with “Patuscada De Gandhi.” Johnny Wakelin follows before Barbatuques’ “Baianá” receives Pablo Fierro’s Afro House treatment, connecting Brazilian percussion with contemporary electronic production.
Chaz Jankel’s “Glad To Know You” moves the programme towards Funk and dance music before John Davis & The Monster Orchestra, War and Chemise deepen the groove. Bobby O and Ferry Ultra then extend the electronic and house-oriented side of the selection before Stargard and Barrabas return to live-band funk and disco.
Kongas bring an African-influenced disco element with “Anikana-O,” followed by Addison Groove and Osunlade’s “Cantos A Ochun Et Oya.” The latter is officially classified as House Music, providing a direct club-house link within a programme otherwise dominated by older funk, disco and globally influenced recordings.
Two Fela Kuti selections then bring Afrobeat firmly into the programme through “Fela Kuti” in a Lego edit and “Impossible Afro Jam.” Free Shelter follows with “Sidi Mansour,” extending the international rhythmic focus before KC & The Sunshine Band return the selection to American funk and disco.
Kongas appear for a second time with “Tattoo Woman” before Marta Acuna’s “Dance, Dance, Dance” brings Disco into the final stretch. The latter is officially catalogued as Nu Disco / Disco in its modern digital edition, although it originates from the late seventies disco era.
Andy Ash closes Roots Episode 18 with a re-edit of “Fantasy,” completing a selection that moves principally through disco, funk, Brazilian music and Afrobeat with smaller house and Afro-house elements. The result fits the early Roots format particularly well, drawing links between African and Brazilian rhythms, seventies dance music and later club reinterpretations.
Bicycle Corporation Roots 18
Ditongo - Berimbau
Gilberto Gil - Patuscada De Gandhi
Johnny Wakelin - In Zaire
Barbatuques - Baianá (Pablo Fierro Edit)
Chaz Jankel - Glad To Know You
John Davis And The Monster Orchestra - Love Magic
War - Galaxy
Chemise - She Can't Love You
Bobby O - Still Hott 4 U
Ferry Ultra Feat. Ashley Slater - Why Did You Do It
Stargard - Which Way Is Up
Barrabas - Wild Safari
Kongas - Anikakana O
Addison Groove - Go La La Jingo
Osunlade - Cantos A Ochun Et Oy
Fela Kuti - Fela Kuti (Lego Edit Jazzy Cut)
Fela Kuti - Impossible Afro Jam
Free Shelter - Sidi Mansour
Kc The &sunshine Band - Black Waters Hold
Kongas - Tatoo Woman
Marta Acuna - Dance, Dance, Dance
Andy Ash - Fantasy (Re-Edit)
Listen on Mixcloud here.