Gazebo

A high drama Italo-disco/synth-pop album from singer, songwriter and producer Paul Mazzolini (co-writer of big Italo crossover hit Dolce Vita), Gazebo is a plush, glamorous take on the genre. The synth arrangements that make up each song are sometimes complex, sometimes simple and direct, with plenty of chunky arpeggiated basslines and those glacial 80s synths, chimes and keys that so define albums of this period. The theatrical opening track Lunatic features an early appearance from the Italian piano break, a musical trope originating in the vamps of Philadelphia International Records’ house band MFSB in tunes like Harold Melvin’s Bad Luck that would go on to be an important element in house music. This is Italo-disco that has moved on from most of its disco influences apart from the basic rhythm, toning down the funk and danceability concentrating instead on the textures and timbres of electronic instrumentation.