Autumn 2021 / Autumn 2001

Limited edition 7″ – 350 copies

Out on March 3rd, 2023

SIDE A: Autumn 2021
SIDE B: Autumn 2001

Part of Four Flies’ RELOVED – a series where contemporary DJs and producers rework tunes from Italian golden age soundtracks and library music – ‘Autumn 2021’ is Free the Robots’ take on ‘Autumn 2001’, from the 1978 Italian library LP Futuribile (The Life To Come), a retro-futuristic masterpiece by Italian jazz pianist and electronic music pioneer Gianni Safred. This release – like all 7″ releases in the RELOVED series – is co-curated with fellow independent label Little Beat More.

A jazz musician from Trieste, northern Italy, Safred at one point began making music with ‘’his electronic instruments’’ (Minimoog, Polymoog, Arp Odissey, Arp Omni, Fender piano, Sequencer Roland, Space Echo Roland) in his own mini studio, eventually releasing three albums (now ultra-rare and highly sought-after). Futuribile, the second one, is an incredible electronic space-disco-jazz album, full of deep breaks and beats, along with dope overlapping synths, which often results in minimalistic proto-house tunes. A sound that takes you both back in time and forward into the future.

Chris Alfaro, aka Free the Robots, is a musician, beat maker and DJ known for his ability to jump in and out of different sonic worlds, creating a unique signature sound blending electronic, hip hop, jazz and psychedelia. His free-$owing imagination keep his productions constantly moving forward – away from robotic monotony, ultimately freeing the robots.
He is one of the pioneering artists to come out of LA’s beat movement, the epicenter of which is the music venue Low End Theory, whose weekly showcase for uncut beat-driven tracks has been a launchpad for the success of prolific electronic artists such as Daedelus and Flying Lotus.
He continues on building his line up of original recordings in unpredictable directions. The energy and technical skill behind his live performances have landed him a place among the greats, sharing stages with the likes of Flying Lotus, DJ Shadow and DJ Krush.

When we started planning the Reloved series, we immediately reached out to Free the Robots. Nothing made more sense than kicking off with one of the key figures of the West Coast experimental beats scene, a movement that has changed beat making globally, and forever.

Free The Robots says about the release: “The sounds used back in the ‘60s and ‘70s are partly where I model my own sound and many Italian bands from the era played a big role in the inspiration of my music. To add to the narrative is really just the continued preservation of classic sounds, re-told and flipped in my own way as a producer of this era. My take on Autumn 2001 was more a drum heavy, loopy and spaced out approach to the original song.”

Ufo Bossa / Intergalactic Porno Scene

Limited edition 7″ – 350 copies

Out on March 3rd, 2023

SIDE A: Ufo Bossa
SIDE B: Intergalactic Porno Scene

Cocktail and power-bossa vibes meet shots of clavinet-funk in the new single by Milan-based producer Larry Manteca, a relentless creator of soundtracks for imaginary films in various genres – from the erotic to the spaghetti western, and from crime to zombie-horror.

Manteca’s debut on 7″ vinyl could only have happened under the aegis of Four Flies Records, whose team went and hand-picked two of the grooviest tracks in his bulimic output, both recorded in 2015 for the sci-fi/erotic-themed album Mutant Virgins From Pluto (the title says it all!).

“Ufo Bossa” is a delicious, uptempo bossa-jazz number cast in an ultra-lounge style and spiced up with references to Les Baxter’s and Martin Denny’s exotica, as well as to pop/erotic sci-fi soundtracks like Bob Crewe’s Barbarella, with the added bonus of Yasmine Zekri’s sexy scat singing. On the flip side you have “Intergalactc Porno Scene”, a typical poliziottesco theme where clavinet and flute interweave into a super-funky groove, before synths come in and send us into erotically-charged space orbit.

Available as a 350-Copy Limited Edition 7-inch, and as a Digital Remaster.

DREAMIN’ / GERONIMO

12″ Vinyl Black

Out on January 27, 2023

TRACKLIST:

A1 – Dreamin’
B1 – Geronimo

Italian groove at its finest.

In the early ‘70s, after relocating from his native Genoa to Rome, young saxophonist Gianni Oddi was beginning to establish himself as a super-cool arranger thanks to a series of cover albums recorded for RCA Italy. They contained funk, soul and easy-listening versions of contemporary pop hits, but Oddi often managed to include one or two original compositions of his own – like the ones contained in this new instalment of Four Flies’ 12-inch vinyl series for DJs.

The luscious funk of Dreamin’, on side A, shows Oddi as an Italian master of groove. Warm, sexy and nocturnal, the song combines breaky drums with tantalizing vocals (provided by Baba Yaga’s Isabella Sodani), adding a romantic, dreamy vibe in the special with strings and piano (the latter played by Oddi himself) that are at once reminiscent of soulful black music and influenced by the melodic tradition of Italy.

Geronimo, on side B, is almost a tribute to Manu Dibango – a favourite of Oddi’s at the time. Here, Oddi’s signature groove, at once refined and infectious, is driven by Mario Scotti’s pulsating bass, Silvano Chimenti’s wah-wah guitar, Oddi’s own persuasive sax and, in particular, sound engineer (and former drummer) Enzo Martella’s ‘moose call’ sound (made by sliding a thumb across the top of a conga). In a nutshell: Africa reimagined in Via Tiburtina (the street in Rome where RCA Italy’s recording studios where located).

Both tracks are perfect examples of Oddi’s sound and… Style (yes, his 1974 album for RCA Italy’s SP series). The same sound (and style!) characterizes masterpieces like Le Montagne della Luce (co-written with Romolo Grano), La Sbandata (the funky theme from Domenico Modugno’s soundtrack, which Oddi arranged and produced) and Mondo di Notte Oggi (co-written with Gianni Dell’Orso). All of these have been released by Four Flies, which continues to celebrate this fantastic groove maker.

DEDY DREAD DJ’S CHOICE BUNDLE

DJ’S CHOICE presents a special bundle dedicated to DEADY DREAD installments for the label:

– 7” Cover Me (2022)
– 12”Quero Ver Você Dançar (2021)
– 7” Don’t Wanna Wake Up (2020)

PELLE DI LUNA / PELUCHE

Limited edition 7″ – 500 copies

Out on JANUARY 13th, 2023

SIDE A: Pelle Di Luna
SIDE B: Peluche

LIMITED EDITION TO 500 COPIES 7″ VINYL WORLDWIDE

Franco Esse is the moniker of Francesco Semproni, who in the late 60s began working as a music and recording assistant in major recording studios in Rome, Italy. He started out at Dirmaphone (then located in Via Pola) under sound engineer Gianni Fornari, before following him to the Emmequattro studios in Viale Mazzini, which at the time were the headquarters of Edipan, the record label founded by composer and conductor Bruno Nicolai after parting ways with friend and fellow composer Ennio Morricone.

Semproni tried to become a singer-songwriter in the early 80s, when he recorded a number of demos with the session musicians who gravitated around the studios. None of these demos was ever released though, for reasons that are still unclear today – his thorny and stubborn personality may have been a factor, since it apparently made him reluctant to compromise with the major record labels of the time.

The unsuccessful efforts to launch his solo artist career led to a personal crisis, and Franco Esse eventually quit music to go to work as a sales assistant in a toyshop in Rome’s Prati neighbourhood.

Today he seems to have vanished without a trace, but after extensive research, we managed to dig some of his demos out of an abandoned archive and miraculously bring back to life two semi-instrumental tracks he recorded in 1983.

Both of them reveal Franco Esse as a refined musician with a reserved personality, an almost minimalist approach to lyric-writing, and a strongly cinematic synth-pop style that is in line with the musical trends of the time and gives a nod to the soundtracks of Fabio Liberatori, falling somewhere in between slow-wave and new-romantic.

These two ballads would have been the perfect soundtrack to cold winter nights in the early 80s, with snowflakes floating down on ski slopes, people clad in puffy down jackets, and music pouring into headphones from walkmans kept in back jean pockets.

COVER ME

Limited Edition 7″

Out on December 2, 2022

A1 – Cover Me (feat. Blacc El)
B1 – Cover Me (The Rebel & Shiny D Remix)

DJ’s Choice is back with a new 7″ single! “Cover me” is the long-awaited collaboration between veteran Portuguese DJ/producer Dedy Dread and rising Hawaiian singer Olivia Ruff.

On side A, Ruff’s soulful voice rides over Dedy’s ‘rhythm’n’bass’ instrumental and combines with the captivating flow of Denmark-based MC Blacc El.

The flip side contains a special remix by label founder The Rebel and Roman pianist and producer Shiny D, a modern tropical rework of the original track that many DJs will appreciate.

Wait For Me – Aspiettame (Re-Edit)

Limited edition 7″ – 300 copies

Out on September 30th, 2022

SIDE A: Franky Selector feat. Banda Maje – Wait For Me – Aspiettame (Re-Edit)
SIDE B: Franky Selector feat. Banda Maje – Wait For Me – Aspiettame (Re-Edit) [Instrumental Version]

LIMITED EDITION TO 300 COPIES 7″ VINYL WORLDWIDE

Four Flies is thrilled to present a fresh little gem of a 7 inch where the Salifornian funk collective Banda Maje put their spin on “Wait For Me”, a disco-funk track by Canadian multi-instrumentalist Franky Selector originally released in his album Never Better – which last spring was fully reinterpreted by a number of Italian artists, including Banda Maje, in the digital album Italians do it (Never) Better.

The full, vocal version of the re-edit, on side A, sees Franky Selector himself sing in perfect Neapolitan amidst irresistible backing vocals, while the instrumental version is provided on side B.

Both versions brim with joy, funk, and Salifornian energy, bringing Italy and Canada closer than ever. Infectious groove has no boundaries.

Vic’l / Fantasie (Sampled Version)

Out on September 9th, 2022
SIDE A: Tonico 70 – Vic’l
SIDE B: Tonico 70 – Fantasie (Sampled Version)

From an offshoot of Salifornian funk/soul collective Banda Maje, here comes a new 7″ single penned by the rapper, producer and band’s co-founder Tonico 70. “Vic’l / Fantasie” is a tasty prelude to Tonico 70’s forthcoming album “Antonico”, due out this November on Four Flies Records.

Like the rest of the album, the two tracks on the single have been co-written and co-produced by Peppe Maiellano, Banda Maje’s other founder, and offer a more intimate portrait of the artist. Tonico has put his ‘tough-music-smuggler’ persona aside to let his soulful side shine through.

“Vic’l”, on side A, is a very autobiographical song. The flow of words you hear, almost a stream of consciousness, took place late one night in the privacy of home and was recorded on the spot. Tonico 70 evaluates his personal history, speaking about the people who are or were there for him. The sound is smooth and sweet, rife with contrapuntal notes and harmonies (those played on the Fender Rhodes and the flute especially stand out) and clearly reminiscent of 70s soul.

In the funky, uptempo “Fantasie”, on the flip side, Tonico 70 lets his Salifornian flow roam free totalk about the strong bonds that bring us together and make us feel good.

Both tracks evoke images and stories while enveloping you in a warm embrace. Not unlike Banda Maje’s music, they have a strong cinematic quality that Tonico 70’s rap adds to nicely. We can’t wait to listen to what’s coming next!

Black Lights

Out on July 1st, 2022
SIDE A: Minus Group – Black Lights
SIDE B: Minus Group – Black Lights (Flute Version)

A little psych-dub masterpiece recorded in 1981 by the elusive Minus Group, a mysterious studio band led by multi-instrumentalist Enzo Minuti (aka Ezy Minus). The two tracks on this single are different arrangements of the same composition, the first, on Side A, being an afro-dub version with phrasings on sax and synth (both played by Minuti himself), weirdly processed choir vocals, and obsessively repetitive percussion. Side B, on the other hand, contains a tropical-downtempo mix, with claves and flute exuding Caribbean/cinematic vibes, as well as minimalist synths and clapping that give the impression of a jam session under the influence of psychotropic agents.

Both versions have a delicious summer flavor and will fit beautifully in any sunset DJ set.

The single anticipates the release of a compilation album of Enzo Minuti’s library music, which will be out this autumn Four Flies.

LA RAGAZZA CON LA PISTOLA

Out on June 17, 2022
SIDE A1: Peppino De Luca & I Marc 4 – Girl With The Gun
SIDE A2: Peppino De Luca & I Marc 4 – Shake Balera
SIDE B: Peppino De Luca & I Marc 4 – Rapimento In Sicilia

The Girl With The Gun for the first time on Ltd 7″ Vinyl

Another dream come true! The first 7″ ever to contain the three grooviest and most danceable tracks from the legendary soundtrack to La ragazza con la pistola, Mario Monicelli’s 1968 cult film depicting the mod subculture of 60s Swinging London and starring Monica Vitti in one of her most iconic roles. (In the mid-90s two of the tracks were compiled in the seminal compilation Easy Tempo Vol. 2.)

Starting the party is Girl With The Gun, a mod-generation classic featuring a psych-funk rhythm section and an exotic-sounding theme played by a sitar. Next on Side A we find the danceable lushness of Shake Balera, a shake number clearly influenced by the London moods portrayed a couple of years earlier by Michelangelo Antonioni in Blow Up, with Antonello Vannucchi on Hammond and Carlo Pes on guitar (the piece was later covered by Calibro35 in their first album). Last but not least, on the flip is the super intriguing Rapimento in Sicilia, which opens with a spy-movie vibe before switching to a hectic dance of sitar, electric bass and wild percussion.

All tracks were written by Peppino De Luca and performed by his trusted and recurring musicians, the legendary super-group of Italian session players I Marc 4, who bring in their signature psycho-beat sound.

Highly recommended for diggers and DJs.

PAISA GOT SOUL ★ CD VERSION

CD Digipack

Out on June 10, 2022

TRACKLIST:

1. Alberto Radius – California Bill (1979)
2. Mario Lavezzi – In Alto Mare (1979)
3. Beppe Cantarelli – Se Il Mio Canto Sei Tu (1980)

4. I Ricci – Vienimi A Pigliare (1986)
5. Eduardo De Crescenzo – Alle Sei di Sera (1981)
6. Jim Porto – Smettila (Po-Parà) [1984]
7. Barnaba – Bianco e Nero (1980)

8. Enzo Cervo – Solo Mò (1981)
9. Peppino Di Capri – Mo…(1981)
10. Franco Camassa – Non Andar Via (1981)
11. Stefano Pulga – La Mia Nave (1982)

12. Massimo Stella – C’è Una Donna Sola (1979)
13. Gino D’Eliso – Ti Ricordi Vienna? (1977)
14. Enzo Carella – Contatto (1981)
15. Serafini – Se Ti Va Così (1982)

Compiled and conceived by David Nerattini partnered by Pierpaolo De Sanctis.

Between the late 70s and the early 80s, pop music was in a transitional phase. After a return to the roots of punk, rock was morphing into new wave, while disco was rapidly declining and the electronic revolution, already on the rise, was ushering in the transition from analog to digital. This period also saw the emergence and relatively brief flowering of a commercially dominant style that mixed soul influences (especially Stevie Wonder and Ear th Wind & Fi re) , folk/pop songwriting and jazz sensibilities in equal measure, creating a hybrid easy on the ears but also emotionally and musically rich. It was the style represented by artists like Christopher Cross, Michael McDonald, Gino Vannelli and Kenny Loggins, who were all influenced by black music. They belonged to a larger trend that took place in all major music producing countries, including Italy where, like so many other things, the style was not merely imported or copied, but reshaped into a specifically local version based on the nation’s tastes and cultural traditions. In Italy, a soulful and sophisticated approach to pop music was embraced not only by established names like Mina, Alan Sorrenti and Loredana Berté, but also, and perhaps most importantly, by an entire generation of writers, arrangers and musicians who had grown up listening to early fusion, to Steely Dan’s refined recordings, and to Quincy Jones’s productions. So, with this compilation we hope to give new exposure to artists and songs that, despite having moderate or little success when first released, must be regarded as among the creative peaks of Italian pop music. “Paisà Got Soul” features pop veterans Peppino Di Capri, Mario Lavezzi and Alberto Radius alongside atypical singer-songwriters (Enzo Carella, Enzo Cervo, Gino D’Eliso), Italo-disco heroes (Stefano Pulga), international hit composers (Beppe Cantarelli, who has co-written for Aretha Franklin and Mariah Carey), Brazilian-born naturalized Italians (Jim Porto) and complete unknowns (Franco Camassa, I Ricci, Massimo Stella).It brings together little gems that in most cases are no longer available on the market, or only available in their original and now very rare vinyl format. We believe they all deserve to be rediscovered today, partly because of the recently renewed interest in “yacht rock”, as this music style has been retrospectively named, and partly because they provide further evidence that Italian artists rework international music styles in creative and original ways.

SESSOMATTO

Out on May 13, 2022

SIDE A: Armando Trovajoli – Sessomatto
SIDE B: Armando Trovajoli – Kinky Peanuts

Woo-hoo! Two of the best Italian rare grooves ever are finally back on 7” for the first time since their original French release on the format! Both are from that most iconic film soundtrack of the Italian 70s (the LP is now a holy grail for collectors), Armando Trovajoli’s score to Dino Risi’s anthology sex comedy Sessomatto (1973) starring Laura Antonelli and Giancarlo Giannini.

In the title track the influence of Manu Dibango’s afro-funk hit “Soul Makossa” is filtered through, and enriched by, an exquisitely Italian approach, with a sweet ’n’ groovy funk base (the terrific mid-song drum break has been a DJ favorite for decades) over which Edda Dell’Orso seductively laughs and repeats the words ‘sesso’ and ‘matto’ again and again. The wild and fun electronic samba “Kinky Peanuts” on side B is a wonderful example of ‘strange incredible music’, with infectiously quirky Moog themes and runs.

Pretty irresistible.

LA POLIZIOTTA

Out on May 13, 2022

SIDE A: Gianni Ferrio – Rhythm & Sex
SIDE B: Gianni Ferrio – Step by Step

Welcome to another sonic treat from the Four Flies 45s series. This 7” combines for the first time ever the two grooviest and sexiest tracks from Gianni Ferrio’s score to Steno’s detective comedy La poliziotta (The Policewoman), only one of which (“Step by Step”) was included in the original (and now very rare and sought-after) 7” released in 1974.

Starting the party is the blaxploitation-influenced funk-blues “Rhythm & Sex” on side A, a tune chock-full of killer drum breaks and driven by an impeccable brass ensemble (a recurring feature of Ferrio’s style, due to his exquisite brass arranging skills). On side B, the supercool “Step by Step” takes funky jazz into sultry territory, with the saucy vocalizing of the Cantori Moderni di Alessandroni giving more than a nod to the film’s comedy-with-crime atmosphere.

Both tracks demonstrate Ferrio’s great mastery as a jazz-funk composer and arranger – a mastery that, back in the day, earned him the moniker of “the Italian Quincy Jones”. Listening and DJing pleasure guaranteed!

LA NOVIZIA ★ CD VERSION

Out on May 6, 2022

TRACKLIST:

1 – INTERNO NOTTE – 3:46
2 – FIORE ROSSO – 4:57
3 – PELLE MORBIDA – 2:43
4 – ATTIMI DI TENEREZZA – 1:43
5 – CAREFREE – 1:42
6 – ATTIMI DI TENEREZZA #2
7 – NIGHT BLUES – 4:17
8 – FREE DIMENSION – 2:21
9 – CANTO NOTTURNO – 4:19
10 – DOLORE E SPERANZA – 1:45
11 – CAREFREE #2 – 1:56
12 – ATTIMI DI TENEREZZA #3 – 1:31
13 – INTERNO NOTTE #2 – 3:31
14 – PELLE MORBIDA #2 – 2:42
15 – ATTIMI DI TENEREZZA #4 – 2:02
16 – ATTIMI DI TENEREZZA #5 – 1:42
17 – DOLORE E SPERANZA #2 – 1:44
18 – CANTO NOTTURNO (Versione Corta) – 1:16
19 – ATTIMI DI TENEREZZA #6 – 1:17
20 – DOLORE E SPERANZA #3 – 2:02
21 – AD GLORIAM – 1:57

Oops, Four Flies did it again! Like other rare Italian gems, Berto Pisano’s La Novizia was long thought lost before the FF team rescued, restored and remastered it from the original tapes. And wow, it’s just one of the best things, if not the best thing, about the 1975 film it was written for – an erotic comedy with melodramatic overtones directed by Pisano’s long-time collaborator Giuliano Biagetti (they previously worked together on Interrabang and La Svergognata) and starring a young and mesmerizing Gloria Guida.

The film’s low budget meant that Pisano had to make a virtue out of necessity. Rather than using a big orchestra and strings (as is well known, he was a brilliant conductor and string arranger), he relied on a smaller ensemble – almost a chamber ensemble, but with a jazz-like rhythm section – to create sensual late-night soundscapes that exude a downtempo ambience. In a nutshell: smooth, warm, velvety music. The epitome of the lounge sound.

At times, whispered, sexy vocals by (the then ubiquitous) Edda Dell’Orso float dreamily over brushed drums, bass, guitars and electric pianos. At others, we find Italian library heavyweights like Alessandro Alessandroni (whose unmistakable whistle can be heard in “Canto Notturno”) and even psychedelic rock influences, as in the acid distorted guitars, furious drums and crazy synths of “Free Dimension”. At yet other times, we’re taken into more easy-listening territory – “Fiore Rosso”, for instance, offers a wonderfully cinematic example of Mediterranean, rather than Brazilian, bossa nova (did they ever thought of using a spinet in Brazil??).

The secret to the charm of La Novizia is that it encapsulates the Italian erotic sound of the 70s in all of its nuances, from the morbid, to the prudish, to the naïve. Because yes, this is a record of nuance and musicianship. And while the themes are in themselves simple, the fantastic quality of the writing, arrangement and production is a testament to Berto Pisano’s superb talent, style and professionalism.

Finally back to life after decades of obscurity, La Novizia is a thing of beauty – which, as a pretty bright fellow once said, is a joy forever. Don’t miss out on joy.

Comes on vinyl, CD and Digital, with original artwork by Eric Adrian Lee and exclusive liner notes by the Pisano family. All tracks are previously unreleased in any format.

LIVING DISCO CLUB

Out on March 25, 2022

SIDE A: Banda Maje – Living Disco Club
SIDE B: Banda Maje – Living Disco Club (Tonico 70 Reloved)

Four Flies is proud to present the second single from Banda Maje’s widely praised debut album, Ufo Bar. “Living Disco Club” is the band’s tribute to the nightclub culture of the Italian eighties and its lightheartedness. Besides capturing the cheerful spirit of the original, Tonico 70’s faster tempo rework enhances its dancefloor potential by giving more emphasis to certain instruments and adding a touch of Roland TR-808 magic sprinkled with analog dub-echo effects. Get ready to party, folks!

AGIP (Repress)

7″ Repress – Light blue cover

Out on March 25, 2022

A1 – Agip
B1 – Astrotensione
B2 – Telefono Giallo

By popular demand, Four Flies is proud to present a repress of Azzurro 80’s AGIP, this time with a blue cover. The 7″ vinyl single, which marked the artist’s debut on the label, draws its energy from and is inspired by the Italian library scene of the 80s. More specifically, its retro but innovative sonic landscape combines shiny synthesizers and dynamic jazz-funk with pop and television culture.

As he himself explains, the name “Azzurro 80” is meant to refer to a particular shade of light blue: “a worn-out, faded light blue that feels retro and outmoded”, just like the color adjective “azzurro” feels a bit outmoded these days (most people seem to prefer “celeste”). Through his music, he aims to evoke precisely that color, and the nostalgic but comforting combination of sounds that corresponds to it.

Side A features AGIP, titled after Italy’s first national oil company (later absorbed by Italian multinational oil and gas company ENI), whose famous logo is a six-legged dog spitting fire. The track transports you to a night-driving scene seen through the eyes of a kid sitting in the back of a family car (i.e., the composer himself back in the 80s), the asphalt roads dimly lit by yellowish street lights surmounted by the fire-spitting canine.

Side B opens with ASTROTENSIONE, a cosmic synth-pop journey through a nebula, almost like the sonic depiction of someone touching a fast traveling asteroid, while TELEFONO GIALLO is a tribute to the late 80s Italian true crime and docudrama TV show of the same name.

Just let the tunes spin on your turntable and follow Azzurro 80 into his reimagined version of the Italian Eighties.