First of all, this is not a chart, there is no particular order. I wanted to share the music that marked me greatly during my childhood and a bit later. These songs/tracks influence the most the music I make today with nostalgic and for a better World. I love strings, I love chords, harmonies, epic melodies, energetic beat.. I usually care less of the lyrics so my description is more about the musical feeling than the lyrics themselves. Also apologies to have put 11 tracks instead of 10.
01. Casco : Cybernetic Love
Out in 1983, this track is to me the most representative of the Italo disco genre. The producer, Salvatore Cusato was a genius, he influenced a bunch of great artists and band in the following years and still today.
02. Fr David : Words
This is probably my all time favorite. The perfect electro pop song, easy, cheesy.. it has that “melancholic with a hope” which is how I try to compose my music. It gives me goosebumps each time I listen to it and it happens at least once a week or a month since it was released in 1982.
03. Bronski Beat : Smalltown Boy
Less cheesy than FR David ‘Words’ just above but exactly same description and feeling at a different tempo.
04. Elton John : Song for Guy
This song reminds me a certain time in my childhood. It’s also a song I listen to often when I drive back home or hotel after a show. It’s a sensation like going out of our planet earth to space.
05. Daft Punk : Veridis Quo
Because it’s my favorite duo, Because it’s part of one of my favorite Japanese movie Because it could be a never stop extended loop.
06. Abba : The Day Before You Came
This song goes to my dad who made me discover Abba during my childhood. He said, this is the best Abba song. I agree. Abba has also a big influence to my music.
07. Ph. D : I won’t Let You Down
The Triomph !!, Yes, I realized my dream… This is Epic.
08. Rondo Veneziano : La Serenissima
I’m half Italian and the classical/opera/drama music has a major influence to my music. This version with a disco beat is just perfect.
09. The Korgis : Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime
This is the song I play when I need to cry.
10. The Aztec Mystic Aka DJ Rolando : Knights of The Jaguar
Because I had to put at least one techno-house track right 🙂 I have chosen this one, this is everything. It’s the one I would play to an ET.
11. Sebastien Tellier : L’Amour et La Violence
My favorite contemporary French melodist. I love him so much he’s my mentor. And this one is part of his album Sexuality who’s produced by another French favorite, Guy-Man half of Daft Punk. I listen to this song in my car on a highway at high speed or on flight when I’m scared by heavy turbulences.
Unveils brand new ‘Magic Tape 99’ out now
- Hails centennial milestone on ‘Magic Tape 100’ due 27th January 2021 via Potion Records
Renowned Belgian DJ / Producer The Magician (Stephen Fasano) is pleased to announce details of his celebrated mix series ‘Magic Tape 99’ out now and achieves a centennial milestone with the arrival of ‘Magic Tape 100’ due this January via Potion Records. Drawing on a myriad of influences from House, Disco, Funk, Soul, Techno and RnB, ‘Magic Tape 99’ features a clutch of exclusive tracks from established and rising acts and is a testament to The Magician’s inimitable style and knack for discovering rising talent. Stephen will follow up his 99th release with a very special 100th edition to run on 27th January 2021. He says: “I wanted to strike hard with the 100th edition of the Magic Tape series by asking several artists to work on an exclusive track for this event. At the beginning, I had a list of 30 artists whose music I’m fond of and whom I’ve supported on my Magic Tape mixes over the years, but also with whom I have a friendly bond”. Spanning over a decade since its first inception 10 years ago, The Magician’s Magic Tape series has grown from strength to strength, gaining a dedicated global following along the way. The forthcoming ‘Magic Tape 100’ featuring a brand new single from the man himself is available to pre-order digitally but also exclusively via The Magician’s e-store, which includes a limited edition bundle consisting of vinyl and cassette formats alongside a poster and T-shirt. Stephen explains: “This album is the perfect representation of the Magic Tape’s project, mixing artists from all around the world, each with their different and quite specific sounds and styles”. An original member of celebrated alt-electronic duo Aeroplane, Stephen struck platinum with his remix of Lykke Li’s ‘I Follow Rivers’ in 2011. A clutch of releases soon followed on Parisian label Kitsuné, Parlophone, Sony and Warners, spawning chart-topping hits ‘Sunlight’ featuring Olly Alexander from Years & Years and certified gold single ‘Shy’, garnering over 50 million streams worldwide. Looking ahead to 2021, The Magician embodies the independent spirit through releases on his own label, Potion Records and continues to hit new heights with his ‘Magic Tapes’ series.
“After 10 years of Magic tapes, I’m very proud to see this project come to life, celebrating 10 years of electronic music, and celebrating my career. #200, here we come :)” Stephen
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