I don’t know, but I hope, that “Problemes d’Amour” made Alexander Robotnick a million bucks. Now considered one of the seminal tracks of Italo Disco, Robotnick himself said he’d listened to (and didn’t care for) the commercial segment of the genre — what he calls “the shitty one” — and was surprised years later to find himself grouped among the godfathers of the movement. “To me,” he told 5 Mag back in 2012, “‘Problemes d’Amour’ was closer to early ’80s Electro-Pop — that was essentially my term of reference.”
The surprise sleeper hit of his career (Robotnick was already working on video art, soundtracks and world music when it began to gain a cult audience), “Problemes” has been reissued many times but never quite like this. This new release on Robotnick’s Hot Elephant Music features remixes by Moodymann and Carl Craig and a new version of “Also Sprach Zarathustra” by Robotnick and frequent collaborator Ludus Pinsky. Leading off is a “live” version of “Problemes” — it doesn’t say what year but it sounds exceptionally bright, so I’d guess more recent unless Robotnick’s archives are even better than I suspected. Still perfect party music. Under his given name, Kenny Dixon Jr has a good ass time with “Problemes,” with twitchy percussion and an approach that starts and maintains something like a low growl. When the synths peel in they sound like laserbolts — searing, white hot and seemingly out of control. The Robotnick and Pinsky collaboration (under their “Italcimenti” alias) has that rugged techno jack similar to the sound of their Analog Project material but subverted with a tongue-in-cheek techno-disco take on Richard Wagner’s famous five-note melody.
There has to be a reason to pick up a reissue of such a well-known track, and this one gives you at least a half dozen.
⚪️ Tracklisting
Alexander Robotnick: Problemes D'Amour (Remixes) (Hot Elephant Music / 12" Vinyl + Digital)
A1. Alexander Robotnick: "Problemes D'amour" (live) (6:47)
A2. Alexander Robotnick: "Problemes D'amour" (Kenny Dixon Jnr mix) (4:42)
B1. Alexander Robotnick: "Problemes D'amour" (Carl Craig remix) (9:17)
B2. Alexander Robotnick: Italcimenti - "Also Sprach Zarathustra 2021" (4:19)
⚪️ Disclosure Statement
This record was not submitted as a promo.
⚪️ Previous Coverage
⚪️ Two guys & a room of analog gear: The Analog Session return on Seven Textures of Sound (2022)
⚪️ Kai Alce Remixes Alexander Robotnick’s “You Have Time” (2020)
⚪️ Alexander Robotnick’s Snapshots of a Happy Time – 2.5 Hour Italo Disco Mix (2012)
⚪️ Ludus Pinsky: Musician, Producer, Maker of Synthesizers (2013)
⚪️ Alexander Robotnick: The Italian Mad Genius Digs Into His Archives (2012)
5 Mag Issue 206
Out Now
MOVE: This was originally published in 5 Mag Issue #206 featuring DJ, dancer, teacher and producer Coflo, Alland Byallo, Phil Kieran, DJ Rocca, Jeff Mills’ Metropolis Metropolis and more. Help keep our vibe alive and our shine bright by becoming a member for $2/month and get every issue in your inbox right away!
