In the week that sees the release of their DFTD VLM02 mix album, Flashmob’s Alessandro picks out five of the key records that have influenced the Italian duo over the course of their career.
Dirty Vegas - Days Go By
Both the unique music and amazing video have influenced us in much of what we do. We danced to this on a table in Mykonos at 6am in front of the sea at Cavo Paradiso, which was a real moment. After years of being fans, we eventually met Paul Harris from the band and worked with him on a couple of tunes and remixes with our previous project (the one we never name). He is such a great guy and really on it when it comes to music.
Depeche Mode - It’s No Good
The whole atmosphere of this record – and on much of their work – is on a whole other level. Evocative and full of class, and I simply have no words for the vocals – could they be any better? The video is something we fell for at the first viewing, I couldn’t tell you how many times we’ve watched it. Anton Corbijn (who in the beginning of the video announces the band on stage) was also behind another masterpiece for the guys, directing the video of Exciter tour.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Two Tribes (12’' Mix)
In the words of Holly Johnson: "Ladies and gentlemen, let me present: FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD – possibly the most important thing this side of the world…” This track had a big social impact because of the Cold War scenario it addressed. The scene in the video with Regan and the Russian guy Chernenko fighting in the arena was a comment on the politics of the time. It sold 9 million copies and was in the charts for a long time. In those years having a famous actor or star like Patrick Allen describing what you would need to do if the nuclear bomb went off was a very courageous thing to do with music, it could have been a great failure but it turned out to be a massive success.
Bronski Beat - Tell Me Why (12’’ Almighty Millennium Mix)
This record just takes you to a different planet – especially the central part where the percussion comes in. Jimmy Somerville was one of the key figures in fighting anti-gay prejudice in the 80s: and this song became an anthem for the gay community of that time. The vinyl of this record I still play today now and again.
Jean Michel Jarre – Arpeggiator
His music in general has just inspired us so much. The whole Concerts In China album and tour is unparalleled and this track in particular taught us many things in terms of production techniques. Jean Michel Jarre was the first foreign artist to play in China after the Cultural Revolution. The track I chose to speak about, ‘Arpeggiator’, is my favorite of the double LP and was also used in 9 1/2 Weeks, starring Kim Basinger and a very young Mikey Rourke. The movie came at the end of the 80s and had a great impact on fashion, while the erotic touch was a new element to the scene.
DFTD VLM02 mixed by Flashmob is out now - order from iTunes / Beatport / Traxsource
