1986 is an interesting moment in Italo Disco history. On one hand, the genre was still in full bloom, producing quality hits. On the other, signs of coming change were already appearing. New producers, new sonic choices, a premonition of the move to Eurodance. Here are ten of the best tracks from this pivotal year.
1. Eddy Huntington - "USSR"
The year's most provocative composition. A British artist singing in a Western language about the Soviet Union - at the peak of the Cold War. The track instantly became a hit, especially in the Eastern Bloc, where it was taken almost as a sign of attention.
"USSR" is more than just a dance hit. It's a cultural document of the era. Today it sounds like a nostalgic artifact, but in 1986 it had concrete political resonance.
2. Lian Ross - "Fantasy"
German singer Lian Ross (real name Josephine Hiebel) built one of Italo Disco's best female hits. "Fantasy" - a signature female vocal, dramatic melody, dance rhythm. Everything an ideal genre track needs.
The song was especially well received in Eastern Europe. For the post-Soviet audience, Lian Ross is one of the beloved female performers of the era. The artist's concerts in the CIS still fill halls.
3. Koto - "Visitors"
The main instrumental hit of the year. The Italian project Koto built an atmospheric, cinematic track that became a space disco classic - the sub-genre of instrumental Italo Disco.
"Visitors" continued its DJ career long after release. It was included in sets, used in mixes, cited. Today the track is a classic for fans of the genre's more experimental side.
4. Sabrina - "Sexy Girl"
Before her main hit "Boys Boys Boys," Sabrina released "Sexy Girl" - the first serious single showing her potential. Signature energy, bright visual image, memorable melody - everything was already working for success.
The track became one of the hits of summer 1986, especially in Italy and Spain. It set the stage for Sabrina's next colossal success in 1987.
5. Sandy Marton - "Modern Lover"
The continuation of Sandy Marton's career after "People From Ibiza." "Modern Lover" shows a more mature side of the artist - the same beach moods but with more depth. A dance rhythm combined with subtler melody.
The track didn't repeat the mass success of Sandy Marton's main hit, but in professional circles it's highly valued. It's an example of how an artist could develop within their established formula.
6. Italian Boys - "Forever Lovers"
One of the hits of this relatively obscure Italian team. "Forever Lovers" is a romantic, melodic track that got traction in Europe, though it didn't become a global phenomenon.
Today this track often appears on "classic Italo Disco" compilations. It represents the genre's "middle tier" - quality work by professionals that made up the industry's bulk.
7. My Mine - "Can Delight"
The project My Mine, known for hypnotic compositions, in 1986 released another atmospheric work. "Can Delight" is a signature mix of Italo Disco and more experimental electronics. A meditative rhythm, a mysterious atmosphere.
The track is valued by lovers of more complex, off-standard Italo Disco. Not for everyone, but for those in the know - an important work.
8. Ice MC (Early Work)
In 1986-1987 material by the British artist Ice MC, produced by Mauro Farina, began coming out. This early work is still close to Italo Disco, though it already shows signs of future Eurodance. A transitional composition important for understanding the genre's evolution.
Ice MC would later become one of the main stars of '90s Eurodance. But his roots are in mid-'80s Italo Disco, and it's worth knowing.
9. P. Lion - "Springtime"
The continuation of P. Lion's career after "Happy Children" and "Dream." "Springtime" is a spring, optimistic track showing the artist's melodic talent. His signature combination of danceability and melodic depth.
The track didn't become a mass hit, but deserves attention as an example of quality mid-tier Italo Disco. If you liked "Happy Children," definitely listen to this one too.
10. Laserdance - "Laserdance"
The main track of the Dutch instrumental project, which became their calling card. "Laserdance" is pure space disco, energetic, futurist, with a signature "cosmic" sound. This is genre classic for the instrumental branch.
The project would keep working long after 1986, but "Laserdance" defined their style. For lovers of instrumental compositions in the genre - a required track.
Other Notable Work
1986 produced many other hits too. Fred Ventura released new material. Fancy continued his career with "Flames of Love" and others. Miko Mission was active. Modern Talking, though a German group, released "Brother Louie" - one of their main hits.
The genre's productivity was still high, though some fatigue was already being felt. Labels kept releasing a lot of material, but its quality was becoming uneven.
Signs of Coming Change
In 1986 you could already spot signs of Italo Disco's coming transformation. Tracks appeared with harder rhythms, more synthetic sounds, elements that would later become signatures of Eurodance.
Some producers experimented with new approaches. American house and Detroit techno began to influence the European dance scene. The public was starting to demand new music, harder and more contemporary.
Competition With House
By the end of 1986 Chicago house was already getting traction in Europe. Tracks like Farley "Jackmaster" Funk's "Love Can't Turn Around" showed you could make dance music completely differently. That created competitive pressure on Italo Disco.
For genre producers it was a time of choice. Keep making classic Italo Disco? Adapt to new trends? Experiment? Different teams picked different paths, and that created variety in 1986-1987 material.
Geographic Expansion
By 1986 Italo Disco had moved well beyond Italy. German artists (Fancy, Lian Ross, Bad Boys Blue) worked in the genre's aesthetic and got success. Dutch projects (Laserdance) added their own national character. British artists (Eddy Huntington) also contributed.
That demonstrated the international character of the genre. Italo Disco had long ceased being only an Italian phenomenon - it was a European phenomenon with different regional tinges.
What Makes the Year Special
1986 is unique in its transitional nature. It's the last full year of classic Italo Disco in its golden form. Starting with 1987, transformation will gradually begin. But for now - still bloom, still confidence, still mass productivity.
The tracks on our list are the "last breath" of the classic era. They preserve everything that was best in the genre in previous years and add the maturity that comes with experience. That's the sound of fully formed, professional Italo Disco.
Year in Summary
If you want to understand how Italo Disco sounded in its mature form, listen to 1986. It isn't the most experimental, not the most innovative period - but a period of maximum professionalism, polished formula, stable quality.
According to the European Pop Culture Museum (Rotterdam), 1986 was the last year when Italo Disco singles got rotation on mainstream MTV Europe: already by 1987-1988 the place of classic Italo Disco on air was taken by the emerging Eurodance. Our list of ten tracks is effectively the last genre compositions the public saw in clips on the main European music channel. After 1986, Italo Disco moved to the rotations of niche retro radio stations - that's exactly where it lives today.