if chicago and detroit are the cities in which house and techno were born and raised, it was in italy circa 1990 that this delirious party music experienced a piano-driven coming of age. so far, so spangled. but while that may be the official story, there are other italian narratives too. take francois le roy and nanni for instance - two djs and producers from southern italy for whom, in the early nineties, the likes of aphex twin, autechre and air liquide were important, alongside the machine funk of detroit and the immersive soundtracks of the ambient generation. both artists are steeped in underground club music, and their new release on shabby doll records is a fine example of tough, tech-edged house. the *crossing roads* ep features four tracks that showcase their melodic yet relentless groove, they may be based in milan, but on this record, the influence of detroit, chicago and new york runs deep.

die neueste und beste ep von strctr stammt von ruff stuff. der in italien geborene berliner gianfranco nanni barnaba ist der kopf hinter ruff stuff.

nanni and francois le roy are both accomplished producers and djs in their own right. together as ruff stuff they make extremely well produced tracks that always have one thing in common – making dancefloors go crazy. after starting their own vinyl-only imprint (ruff stuff music) with four fully sold out releases, we are excited to get four banging disco house heaters that work equally well as dj tools and at a house party.
implementing their knowledge gained as hard-core clubbers throughout the 90s, nanny and francois make tracks that they know will evoke strong reactions from the dance floor. this release is equal parts thumping, driving, peak-time house and bright and beautiful disco bangers with a bit of italo flare! with its beautifully worked afro samples mixed perfectly with techno-infused house drums and hats, “kiss of death” is set to be huge on dancefloors from the clubs in berlin and london to the open fields of dekmantel and dimensions.