Kano (band)

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Kano
Origin Italy Italy
Genres R&B
Synthpop
Italo-Disco
Hi-NRG
Post-Disco
Years active 1979 - 1990
Labels United States Emergency
United States Full Time
Italy Baby

Kano was a post-disco music project formed in 1979 by Italian-based producers/musicians Luciano Ninzatti, Stefano Pulga and Matteo Bonsanto who helped usher in a style of dance music called Italo-disco, a blend of 1970s disco and funk with the addition of synthesizers made by artists and producers in Italy.

Contents

[edit] History

The project was unofficially known for being the first group to incorporate a new instrumental trend of electronics and synthesizers (including a module known as the Vocoder) with certain elements of funk to the evolution of dance music, a trend that would be called "Italo-Disco".

Kano's revolutionary sound was first heard on radio stations and in dance clubs around the world with their debut hit single, 1980's "I'm Ready", from their self-titled debut album (which also included the minor hits, "It's a War" and the overlooked instrumental track "Cosmic Voyager"). It not only started Italo-Disco, but also helped paved the way for the growth of hip-hop culture, as "I'm Ready" became an instant breakdance classic. "I'm Ready" also peaked at #21 on the Black Singles chart. "It's a War" was also a big hit on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the U.S., peaking at #2 for five weeks.

The project went on to record two other albums, including 1981's "New York Cake" (which included the minor hits "Don't Try to Stop Me", and "Can't Hold Back") and 1983's "Another Life" (including the title track and "I Need Love") which introduced West Indian-born singer Glen White. Their last song was 1985's "This Is the Night".

"I'm Ready" was later used as a sample on a few songs, such as Gigolo Tony's 1986 hit "Hokie Pokie" and Rofo's 1987 hit "Flashlight In A Disconight, but gained the most popularity on Tag Team's 1993 hit, "Whoomp! (There It Is)"."Another Life" was remixed by Master Blaster featuring in their 2003 album "We Love Italo Disco". "Another Life" was also sampled in the 2005 track "Discopolis" by Lifelike & Kris Menace. "Ikeya Seki" was sampled by the French electro house artist Kavinsky for his track "Grand Canyon", which appeared on his 2007 EP, 1986.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Charted singles

Year Name United States R&B Italy Singles Germany Singles Switzerland Singles
1980 "I'm Ready" #21 ― ― ―
1981 "Baby Not Tonight" ― #3 ― ―
1983 "Queen of Witches" ― ― #64 ―

[edit] Other singles

  • "It's a War" (1980)
  • "Now Baby Now" (1980)
  • "Ahjia" (1980)
  • "Cosmic Voyager" (1980)
  • "Don't Try to Stop Me" (1981)
  • "Can't Hold Back (Your Lovin')" (1982)
  • "I Need Love" (1983)
  • "China Star" (1983)
  • "Ikeya Seki" (1983)
  • "This Is the Night" (1985)
  • "Another Life (Remix '91)" (1991)
  • "Another Life 2000" (1999)
  • "We Are Ready (a reworked version of "I'm Ready")" (2006)

[edit] Albums

Year Album Label United States R&B Chart United States
Pop Chart
1980 Kano Mirage United States, Full Time Italy #26 ―
1981 New York Cake Mirage United States, Full Time Italy #53 #189
1983 Another Life TELDEC Germany, Full Time Italy ― ―
1990 Greatest Hits Unidisc Canada ― ―

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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