various: mutazione

Our latest compilation project explores the under-acknowledged realm of Italian underground electronic music and new wave, recorded during a time of extreme political turmoil during the 80s. "When people think of Italian music, they often think of Italo disco or prog rock," explains compiler Alessio Natalizia of the Kompakt outfit WALLS. "For me, this more experimental end of the new wave scene is the most exciting music to emerge from Italy over the last 30 years and, since much of it was originally released in such limited quantities, it has remained relatively undocumented until now." In fact, much of the music covered on Mutazione was originally released only on cassette, sometimes in conjunction with fanzines published by political groups whose message was entwined with the music. Stylistically, the music ranges from brooding new wave and post-punk to raw electronic pieces and claustrophobic, whispered vocal cuts. This is some of the most adventurous electronic music we've collected so far on Strut, and an amazing overview of a unique time and aesthetic that has yet to be fully canonized. Mutazione CDs and LPs will include extensive sleeve notes by two of Italy’s leading music and cultural journalists, Andrea Pomini and Alberto Campo, both now of Rumore magazine. The package also features a wealth of original photos alongside artwork from fanzines, cassettes and LP covers.

track listing: CD1

1. DIE FORM – ARE YOU BEFORE
2. NEON – INFORMATIONS OF DEATH
3. GAZNEVADA – GOING UNDERGROUND
4. CARMODY – VULCANI
5. DANIELE CIULLINI & DE REZKE – ANCORA ICONE
6. 0010110000010011 (CANCER) – NAONIAN STYLE
7. VICTROLA – MARITIME TATAMI
8. 2+2=5 – JACHO’S STORY
9. LAXATIVE SOULS – NICCOLAI
10. LA 1919 – SENZA TREGUA
11. WINTER LIGHT – ALWAYS UNIQUE
12. GIOVANOTTI MONDANI MECCANICI – BACK AND FORTH
13. L’ULTIMO ARCANO – 1984-1985

CD2
1. A.T.R.O.X. – AGAINST THE ODDS
2. DORIS NORTON – NORTON APPLE SOFTWARE
3. KIRLIAN CAMERA – EDGES (Original version)
4. SPIROCHETA PERGOLI – ROMERO’S LIVING DEAD
5. LA BAMBOLA DEL DR. CALIGARI – DEEP SKANNER
6. PALE – THE LIVID TRIPTYCH
7. RATS – PLEASE
8. PLATH – I AM STRANGE NOW
9. TASADAY – CRISALIDE
10. LA MAISON – CRITICAL SITUATION
11. SUICIDE DADA – WAITING FOR SEPTEMBER
12. THE TAPES – NERVOUS BREAKDOWN
13. MAURIZIO BIANCHI - AUSCHWITZ