Hell Yeah, this time in collaboration with DJ Ralf's Laterra Recordings, is a label you can always rely on to come up with some interesting musical projects, and that is exactly the case here: the Italian outlet’s next releases are four "balearic" tinged remixes of a popular Italian chant, Bella Ciao, by Brooklyn troupe Underground System released on two separate 12"s, remixes come from Leo Mas & Fabrice and Gigi Masin, and stunning artwork by Andrea Amducci inspired by Guttuso’s "Funerale di Togliatti.”
This new project came about after Leo Mas played the afro-beat original cover on his Boiler Room set in Ibiza and made it a bonafide balearic nu-classic, legend Alfredo loved it so much he requested a copy, which lead the label to get official rights for its release.
Originally, Bella Ciao is actually a partisan Italian song created during the civil war that is a hymn of freedom and resistance. Here it is flipped into two tantalisingly feel good disco anthems by Leo Mas & Fabrice, one with vocals and one all dubbed out.
Leo Mas is a true legend, who was there at the start of the Ibiza revolution in the 80s. He played at Amnesia with Alfredo and since has pioneered a house and balearic sound on many different labels. Fabrice is another Italian with long standing disco roots who, along with Leo and Andrea Gemolotto, was part of "La Magica Triade" and now releases/remixes on labels like Is It Balearic?, Golf Channel, Music For Dreams
The vocal version is full of gentle tumbling toms, cute guitar riffs and rolling bass. The exquisite vocal chants up top add plenty of joyous vibes to the already summery beats and then it just rolls and rolls, making you shake your behind and swing your hips as it goes...
Some DJ feedback:
Severino (Horse Meat Disco) – FANTASTICO, LOVE THIS !!! BRAVI RAGAZZI
Apiento (Test Pressing) “TOP”
testpressing.org/2015/08/underground-system-bella-ciao-remixes-hell-yeah/
DJ Ralf “Love, love, love.”
Bill Brewster (DJ History) - Really nice stuff, hard to pick a fave. Is this the same Fabrice that did that killer Fabrice Africa Pain mix on Aural's Desire about 25 years ago? If so, WOW!
Chris Coco - Proper disco party music. nice.
Hard Ton – “Figata! Nice package, vocal mix is the one for me.”
Andy Wilson (Ibiza Sonica) “great track but remixes much more playable . I can use all of these in different gigs in Ibiza depending on time and place, fab !”
Doc Martin “Hell Yeah!!!!!”
Kenneth Bager (Music For Dreams) – Love it
Jim Breese (Balearic) "This bangs! Favourite club track in the world right now!"
released February 1, 2016