Bicycle Corporation, the collaboration between Marco Mei and Stefano Ugliano, presented Roots 09 for Scientific Sound Asia in 2018. Scientific Sound Asia is an Asian electronic music radio station, DJ agency, promoter and music-news platform with connections across Asia and internationally.
Bicycle Corporation was formed in 2009 by Italian DJ and producer Marco Mei and Stefano Ugliano, also known as 6884. The pair have released more than fifty productions and remixes, working across Deep House, Tech House, French House and Techno.
Marco Mei began DJing in Turin in 1991, during a formative period for Italy's underground House Music and Techno culture. His early work included involvement with the Urban People collective, through which he developed experience as a DJ, promoter and event organiser.
That work led to international bookings and a residency at Pacha in Sharm el-Sheikh. His later appearances included Woo Bar in Bali, The Mansion in Shanghai, Fuse in Brussels and The Observatory in Ho Chi Minh City.
Ugliano's musical background included classical piano, percussion and drums, alongside an interest in electronic music production. His early influences included Chopin and West African rhythmic traditions, providing a broad musical foundation for his work with Bicycle Corporation.
As Bicycle Corporation, Mei and Ugliano combined electronic production with a shared interest in music from beyond a conventional club setting. Their releases appeared on labels including Alchemy, Miniatures, WL77, Suka and GrooveTraxx.
Roots gave the duo space to present the wider listening habits behind their productions rather than concentrating solely on their own catalogue. The programme drew on records and styles that had informed their musical perspective over many years.
This approach was distinct from Electronic Roots, Bicycle Corporation's separate platform for broad electronic music and guest DJs. Keeping these programme identities separate clarifies the wider scope of the duo's radio work.
Bicycle Corporation’s Roots 9 on Scientific Sound Asia presents an archive selection linking Disco, Brazilian, Funk, Electronica, Afrobeat, Jazz Music and Reggae. The episode features music from Antena, Cerrone, Airto Moreira, The Fatback Band, Manu Dibango, Laurie Anderson, Grandmaster Flash, Don Cherry, Jorge Ben and Hot Butter.
Alma Brasileira opens with Tirando Onda, placing Brazilian rhythm at the front of the episode before Antena’s Bye Bye Papaye moves into a Balearic direction. Cerrone and Codek then bring the selection into Disco with Générique and Tim Toum.
Antena return with Achilles, adding another Balearic entry before Airto Moreira’s Toque De Cuica brings Brazilian percussion into focus. The Fatback Band and Erotic Drum Band follow with Are U Ready To The Bus Stop? and Jerky Rhythm, shifting the programme through Funk and Disco.
Manu Dibango’s Flute & Drum introduces Afrobeat influence, while Laurie Anderson’s O Superman moves the set into Electronica. Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five then add Hip Hop with Superappin' Theme, connecting the Roots format to early rap and block-party culture.
Eddy Grant’s Hello Africa brings a reggae-linked entry before Timmy Thomas adds a Soul reference with Why Can't We Live Together. Lamont Dozier’s Going Back To My Roots, Weather Report’s Pearl On The Half Shell and Edwin Starr’s Get Up Whirlpool then move the middle section through Funk and Jazz Music.
Haruomi Hosono’s Platonic adds a Japanese electronic reference before Simple Minds introduce Synth Pop with League Of Nations. The Pool’s Jamaica Running and Uele Kalabubu Et Sa Tribu’s Matata then bring Reggae and Afrobeat influence back into the episode.
Don Cherry’s Treat Your Lady Right moves the set into Jazz Music before Jorge Ben and Giulio Camarca with Trinidad return the programme to Brazilian material. Universal Robot Band, Russ Brown and Rose Royce then build a late Disco and Funk section with Dance And Shake Your Tambourine, Gotta Find A Way and Do Your Dance.
Martin Circus’ Disco Circus keeps the closing section in Disco before Public Image Ltd. adds a leftfield electronic edge with Question Mark. Hot Butter closes Roots 9 with Popcorn, ending the episode with a familiar early electronic music reference.
Bicycle Corporation Roots 9
Alma Brasilera - Tirando Onda
Antena - Bye Bye Papaye
Cerrone - Generique
Codek - Tim Toum
Antena - Achilles
Airto Moreira - Toque De Cuica
The Fatback Band - Are U Ready To The Bus Stop?
Erotic Drum Band - Jerky Rhythm
Manu Dibango - Flute & Drum
Laurie Anderson - O Superman
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - Superappin Theme
Eddie Grant - Hello Africa
Timmy Thomas - Why Can't Live Together
Lamont Dozier - Going Back To My Roots
Weather Report - Pearl On The Half
Edwin Starr - Get Up Whirlpool
Haroumi Hosono - Platonic
Simple Minds - League Of Nations
The Pool - Jamaica Running
Uele Kalabubu Et Sa Tribu - Matata
Don Cherry - Treat Your Lady Right
Jorge Ben - Ela Mora Em Matogrosso Fronteira Com O Paraguai
Giulio Camarca & Trinidad - Birimbao
Universal Robot Band - Dance Shake Your Tambourine
Russ Brown - Gotta Find A Way
Rose Royce - Do Your Dance
Martin Circus - Disco Circus
Public Image Limited P.I.L. - Question Mark
Hot Butter - Pop Corn
Listen on Mixcloud Here.