The Italian producer duo Maurizio & Dandolo, consisting of Marcello Giordani and Cosimo Mandorino, has so far released two EPs in the Italo-Disco style, on Mirella Records, Mandorino’s label. Now Manodrino, aka Dandolo, is going his own way with his new single ‘Ticket to Ride’. Any confusion with the Beatles song of the same name may be intentional, but it quickly dissipates. A presumably Thai announcement opens the track, accompanied by the sound of aeroplanes in the background – a sound that creates the feeling of a transit zone. Then synthesiser and drum machine kick in, driving forward with an energetic groove and, supported by Nile-Rodgers-style guitars, taking off towards the dance floor. On the B-side, Cosimo Mandorino rounds off his solo and contributes the ‘Cosmo Dance Dub Mix’ under his alias Cosmo Dance. The clear melody remains, as does the bouncing octave bass and the beginning of the chorus. Only the stanzaic text, rapped in an authentic, edgy eighties style, is missing from this version. Both versions have their charms.
Ticket To Ride
