At the beginning of the 90s a new music wave was emerging in Italy. Influenced by stylistic elements and sound expressions arriving from abroad - in particular from those english and american labels – it has created the bases for an innovative sound destined to leave its mark for generations to come. It was a sound close to the Deep House atmospheres coming from Chicago, Detroit and New York. A sound made of powerful basslines, punching drum machines, dreamy melodies and incredibly sensuous vibrations.
Dream House, Italo House, Piano House are names often used to identify this new scene, but it could be simply summed up in one word: "Underground". 
Inspired by an innate sense of freedom and experimentation, a generation of Italian DJs and producers envision the sound of the future. The music becomes a muse, enchanting and unifying. The movement fires up  in the clubs. The record shops act as a sounding board. And the alignment of all the planets generates an invasion of celestial bodies.

"Ciao Italia” wants to be a tribute to the artists that wrote this story. Artists that were forced to use many different aliases that often even themselves have forgotten and certainly less celebrated than their colleagues today. 
From Andrea Gemolotto, Massimino Lippoli, Fabrice, Mr Marvin, Davide Rizzatti and Angelino Albanese (DFC Records), Ricky Montanari and Flavio Vecchi (Love Quartet), Paramour, Adrian Morrison and Dj Ralf 

(Heartbeat Records), passing through the productions of Alex Neri and Marco Baroni (formerly Kamasutra, Green Baize, Agua Re up to becoming Planet Funk) for Palmares, up to Don Carlos and Stefano Tirone (together Montego Bay Experience) Francesco Montefiori (aka Key Tronics Ensemble and Soft House Company) and Claudio “Moz-Art Rispoli (Jestofunk and Omniverse) on Irma and Antima Records, Leo Mas, Rago and Farina, MBG, Paolino Bova, Gianni Bini and Paolo Martini, up to names that have remained more in the shadows but have given great lymph and depth to music Made in Italy such as Leo Anibaldi , Andrea Benedetti and Eugenio Vatta (Frame), Leandro Papa (Last Rhythm e Stonehenge), Cesare Cerulli and Toni Verde (Blue Zone), Graziano Ragni (High Tide), Massimo Berardi (Underground Nation Undertour Sensation and Cosmic Galaxy) and Massimo Zennaro and all those producers that we were not able to include in this collection because of the lack of space.

A rhythmic journey to rediscover what has been, what continues to be and what will be, “Ciao Italia” tells a story that still sounds incredibly current, whose reverberations continue to be the object of veneration among DJs, clubbers and music lovers of new generations. As confirmed by the new productions ideally inspired by the iconic sound of the time, testimony of an Italian avant-garde alive and vivid not only in memories but more than ever in the here and now.
Not only a "musical style", but also a way of approaching reality characterized by enthusiasm, a global vision and a spirit suited to the most eclectic and boundless creativity. 

Born from an idea of Daniele "Shield" Contrini, with the art direction of Stupefacente Studio, the project took shape in a double vinyl format with an insert, signed by the journalist Elia Zupelli, which reconstructs an era through the voices of the protagonists, photographs, interviews, rarities and dazzles from the 
dancefloors. So, while the vinyl slides under the needle, the hope is to be able to grasp the atmosphere and live it again for a few moments, clinging to the indomitable charm of  the "underground" grooves: a mnemonic flow from the past and a driving force for a new course projected into the future.

High Tide - Time Unlimited

Leo Anibaldi - Elements

Keys, Strings, Tambourines

Cirque de Soul

Chez Damier & Stacey Pullen - Forever Monna

Data Mirage

Phantom Neon

Night track launge

For our final release of the year on Shades Of Sound Recordings, our global spotlight for exciting new music falls on Buenos Aires, where Argentinian producer On The Reg (@otrmusica) delivers a stunning 4-track EP of deep house and balearica.

This collection sees a blending of warm, rolling grooves with lush pads, sun-washed melodies, and subtle organic textures. A sound that glides effortlessly between late-night introspection and golden-hour calm with nods to ‘90s downtempo and breakbeat influences, infusing the EP with a nostalgic edge that recalls early Café del Mar compilations and the halcyon days of chillout rooms and coastal sunsets.

Across its four pieces, Hernán captures that timeless Balearic balance between rhythm and reflection, offering music equally suited to intimate club sets, beachside sessions, and long night drives.

The EP will be available digitally on 18th November via Shades Of Sound Recordings, closing out a year of globally inspired deep house, downtempo, and electronica releases.

PREMIÈRE: On The Reg - Seafoam Dreams

Part 3 People That Make the Music

Gargantuan

Schmoodub

FK - EP and Beyond

Hypnodelic

Italian independent electronic label established by @daniele-shield-contrini in 2006.

Leo Anibaldi - Elements

Rebirth Records