This 1983 compilation from Germany’s ZYX label was a big hit across Europe and featured sub-two-minute clips of twelve Italo disco tracks, sequenced together in a single megamix, much like an early version of the DJ mix CD. The transitions between each song aren’t quite like a modern DJ mix, they tend to be much briefer but they’re smooth and the flow is never broken. The tunes are all synth and sequenced electronic disco, with highlights including the robot bassline, vocoder-ed vocals and synth extravaganza that is Mr Flagio’s “Take A Chance” and Doctor Cat’s “Feel The Drive”, which performs a similar trick sans vocoder. Vol. 1 was the first of many Italo megamixes from ZYX and is still a super-fun, non-stop, high-energy party of an album. 

– Harold Heath