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.

the new album from gianna nannini on vinyl lp, housed in a gatefold sleeve.