Camp has always been a part of Italo disco whether its adherents admit it or not. It’s a sensation that bleeds into slap-happy synth arrangements, histrionic vocal performances and even the genre’s lighthearted take on sexy business. Italian duo Ajello seem to embrace this campy feeling in their own productions which, while studiously arranged and performed, don’t seem to take themselves too seriously. Any doubts you might have about that are put to rest by their second release on Danny Was A Drag King, the pair’s new label. Featuring the slippery, gregarious vocals of Hard Ton, “Chocolate Black Leather” tries to get listeners in the sack with aggressive bass riffs, tangled synths and the liberal sprinkling of a famous motif from Grandmaster Flash’s “The Message.” Still hesitant? Try Brennan Green’s remix, which lets off some of the tension in the arrangements and replaces it with bubbling acid streaks. The best part about this record is, you don’t need to love campiness to enjoy its winking joyfulness. Our thanks to Ajello for the tunes.

Ajello ft. Hard Ton, “Chocolate Black Leather”

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Ajello ft. Hard Ton, “Chocolate Black Leather” (Brennan Green Remix)

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