Shadows From Nowhere

Song by Blue Gas

Blue gas was a side project of one of the most remarkable and noticeable musicians Celso Valli. He significantly challenged the views towards Disco, Italo Disco, and SynthPop.

From the late 70s, Valli started experimenting with the traditional sound of "Disco," participated in many collaborations, such as "Tantra," "Azato," Blue Gas, and many more.

These chapters produced by Celso were indeed the hidden corners of Italian electronic music.

The project of Blue Gas came to life in the early 80s. The fusion of Balearic and synthpop tunes were explored and delivered in a very eclectic and untraditional way.

One of the most noticeable albums of Italo Disco was the album "Shadows from nowhere," an EP and a single initially recorded in 1983 at the renowned Stone Castle Studios in Carimate, Italy.

Celso Valli was always well known because of his experimental considerations towards varieties of niches of music. And again, this release proves the same. Two tracks issued on the same album, as different from each other as possible. "Marie" and "Shadows from nowhere,"

jointly proving the statement - "The multidisciplinarity of the Italo disco era."

Marie is a perfect example of the Synthpop that would remind you of the USA's post-disco music—spinning around 130 bpm, with the warm bassline looped around the whole track—arranged very carefully with the 80s synths and bringing the uplifting vibe to every dance floor.

However, side A kicks off with a smooth and dreamy ambiance showcasing "Shadows from nowhere," a triumph of a lifetime, kicking around 90 beats per minute, with a pretty laid-back atmosphere. The track starts with warm hi-hats that go along the whole journey. They steadily introduce the bass line that is remarkably characteristic to Celso Valli. This is an excellent fusion of Synthpop tune and a bohemian disco.

At the same time, the chill-out piece is bringing a bit of a gloomy aura with the lyrics written and sung by Celso Valli himself. The lush and warm touch of Celso's voice is arranged with a simple delay highlighting the plain sailing of the track.

The piece seems pretty mellow, but it provides some eloquent moments that are ushered by persistent 80s synths sounds. These fragments are like transmission tools that Celso uses for raising the tension and then immediately withdrawing it.

In a way, this track easily reminds us of the group AIR's characteristics. And definitely, turns your head towards the voice and arrangements of Bee Gees. This again proves the experimentalist Visionaire Celso, who constantly was challenging the given present.

Since 1983, most of the original issues were distributed worldwide and were extremely hard to get. Hence, in 2019, one of the most well-known labels, "Best Records," decided to repress the album on 12-inch vinyl and digitalize the album for online platforms. Today, it's easily obtainable via many musical platforms, as well as records stores.