Slick production techniques, catchy melodies, rousing piano lines and American vocal styling typifies the Italian house sound.

1989

The Italians explode onto the scene with the piano-driven sound exemplified in the worldwide hit, "Ride On Time", by Black Box. A plethora of unoriginal imitation tracks are created to try to cash in on the newfound Italo house hype, a trend largely fuelled by the UK music press.

1990

With records like Black Box's "Everybody, Everybody", the Italians start to strut their production skills and pop sensibilities, gaining massive commercial success worldwide with a unique sound, creating the huge Media Records empire with groups like the 49ers and Capella. * Irma releases underground anthems from Soft House Company ("What You Need") and Key Tronics Ensemble ("House Of Calypso"). * Flying Records (Digital Boy) and DFC (Ricco) round out the Italian label picture. * The Italian underground is dominated by an abundance of sleepy ambient efforts, as in DFC's Ambient House: The Compilation.

1991

Italy enters the techno/rave arena with the likes of MIG-29 and Anticappella. At the same time, notable house records like Korda's "Move Your Body" and commercially successful Double Dee's "Found Love" continue to be created.

1992

The Italian underground scene continues to thrive and grow stronger with quality tracks like Kipper's "Livin' the Nightlife", Jestofunk's "I'm Gonna Love You", Don Carlos' "Alone" and Shafty's "Deep Inside Of You".

1993

The Italian underground scene explodes with a calibre of music not expected by anyone outside of Italy. TTR ("Dancin'"), Kwanzaa Posse ("Muzika"), 50% ("Tight Up"), DJ Professor, Fathers Of Sound, the list goes on... * New labels like Rolling Tune and Progressive join bedrock labels like Flying, UMM, Media, Irma and Discomagic to form the nucleus of the Italian renaissance. * US-Italian cultural exchange: Murk remix a veritable antipasti of Italian independent releases, while the 50% crew remix Kamar's Kerri Chandler-produced "I Need You".

1994