Daily Measure
 

Alexander Robotnick

With a name like a Sega villain, Alexander Robotnick was a popular purveyor of italo-disco during the 80's and his single 'Problemes d'amour' was one of the biggest tracks of the genre in 1983. He is a cult figure to many 80's electro buffs and top DJs like Carl Craig and Miss Kitten have since remixed some of his tracks.

Around 1987, Robotnick switched from italo to world music, collaborating with African, Kurdish and Indian musicians over the next decade. In 1995 he conceived and organized the first Ambient Music Festival in Florence and then created 'The Third Planet', a multi-ethnic band that blended traditional music from Kurdistan, Algeria and India with modern sounds.

During this time he slipped into relative obscurity until Miss Kittin included 'Dance Boy Dance' (one of his early tracks) on her 2005 mix compliation Radio Caroline which kicked off a load of bootlegs and remixes from other DJs.

Nowadays Robotnick has returned to his electronic roots and performs live DJ sets at top clubs and festivals mixing his own cuts into modern and old school ravey electro. He has also produced some new synth-pop/electro stuff recently including 'Can I Have An Ashtray?', the video of which leaves you in no doubt the man has a good sense of humour.

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Comments

emma Monday, 11 May
SINGLES REVIEWS - 27th April
Obsession For The Disco Generation
This Is Music

Disco has had a big resurgence recently and it's just what we need in these ledge-jumping times. Disco warms the soul; it's upbeat and doesn't take itself too seriously. Unfortunately 'Obsession For The Disco Freaks' is actually a wry tribute to the italo-disco genre that Robotnick was renowned for during the '80s; a euro-trash synthy sound – not my cup of tea.

However, this is undoubtedly a man who doesn't take himself too seriously. Check out 'Can I Have An Ashtray' – much better and the video is hilarious. 1.5/5