Collecting Italo Disco: The 12" Maxi Singles of the 80s and Their Pressings

In short: Italo disco is the electronic dance music produced in Italy mainly between about 1982 and 1988: synthesizers, drum machines, often a vocoder, catchy melodies and mostly English lyrics. It is collected above all on 12" maxi singles with long versions and instrumentals. The most sought-after copies are Italian first releases on small labels; German licensed pressings from the 80s are more common and a good way in.

What is Italo disco?

In the early 80s, Italian studios created a new kind of disco: electronic instead of orchestral, with synthesizer melodies, drum machines and lyrics in charmingly Italian-accented English. The name was popularised above all by the German label ZYX, which marketed the music from 1983 with its compilation series “The Best Of Italo-Disco”. Hits such as Gazebo's “I Like Chopin”, Ryan Paris' “Dolce Vita” and Righeira's “Vamos A La Playa” (all 1983) were played all over Europe, later followed by Baltimora's “Tarzan Boy” (1985), among others.

Why the 12" maxi is the format of the scene

Italo disco was made for the dance floor. That is why the maxis carry long extended versions, often with an instrumental version on the B-side for DJs. Because there are only a few tracks on the large disc, the grooves can be cut wide – giving the bass real punch. It's no coincidence that the 12" maxi is also my favourite format to play. More in our guide LP, 12" maxi or 7" single?

Names you should know

• The big hits: Gazebo, Ryan Paris, Righeira, Baltimora, Den Harrow, Savage, Valerie Dore and Spagna.
• For connoisseurs: Kano, Doctor's Cat, Gaznevada, Radiorama or Cruisin' Gang – projects whose maxis are in demand with collectors and DJs today.
• Megamixes: Spanish series such as “Max Mix” combined the hits of the day into continuous mixes and are a small collecting field of their own.

Italo disco from our shop: Gazebo – Masterpiece (Italian original, 1982), Ryan Paris – Dolce Vita (German original, 1983), Kano – Another Life (German, 1983), Doctor's Cat – Gee Wiz / Crash (German original, 1984)

Italian original or German licensed pressing?

Most Italo titles were first released in Italy, often on small labels, and then licensed to other countries – in Germany, for example, to ZYX. For collectors this means:

• Italian first editions are usually the most sought-after copies – especially for titles that never became big hits and were only released in small runs.
• German pressings from the 80s are more common, easy to find and usually cheaper – ideal for getting started and for DJing.
• Later remixes: Many hits were re-released years later as remixes. Check the year and catalogue number if you are after the original version.
• Beware of reissues: Sought-after Italo rarities also circulate as unofficial reissues. If an “original” is suspiciously cheap, take a look at the label and matrix number – more in our guide First pressing or reissue?

What to look out for in terms of condition

Many Italo maxis were played in clubs and at parties. So watch out for typical DJ wear: worn spots at the start of a track from frequent cueing, stickers or writing on label and sleeve, and scratches from frequent play. We grade every used maxi according to the Goldmine standard – record and sleeve separately.

Frequently asked questions

What is Italo disco?
Electronic dance music from Italy, mainly from about 1982 to 1988 – with synthesizers, drum machines, catchy melodies and mostly English lyrics. Well-known acts include Gazebo, Ryan Paris, Righeira and Baltimora.

Which Italo disco records are valuable?
Above all Italian first editions on small labels in good condition, especially of titles released only in small runs.

What is the difference between Italian and German pressings?
The Italian edition is usually the first release. German pressings appeared under licence, for example on ZYX, and are more common and cheaper to find.

Do you buy Italo disco maxis?
Yes, gladly – from single maxis to whole DJ collections. More on our record buying page.

Browse our Italo disco selection, all our 12" maxi singles and our disco collection.