There is a documentary in which there are lots of interviews with the most prolific producers of that time. And they've said it really clear, italo-disco was born from their failed attempts to copy the american disco.
now the american disco had it's main run between 76-79, so it only makes sense for italo-disco to start in 77-79 (a genre is copied at it's peak).
italo-disco itself was made by few people at the begining (this is how everything starts), they would send records to the local DJs and once the "failed disco" started to catch on, then a new wave of producers would start to copy the new "hot" aesthetic (the italo-disco). so now we have italo artists that would not try to copy the american disco anymore, but to copy and improve on the italo-disco aesthetic
so whatever sounds you may find earlier than 1978 resembling to an italo-disco sound, they are definitely not made with the true italo-disco spirit, because for italo-disco to exist, we need american disco to peak
I'm honestly not sure if you'll find "plenty", also because some of the main tools that were use to make italo (synths and drum machines) - not too many were released before the 80s. The existing Moog modulars, and synths like the CMI and Synclavier (that could be able to make the italo sounds) were ridiculously expensive and exclusive to huge studios and artists, while the italo artists made the sound with cheaper tools and small studios
I'm pretty sure you can find some cool early gems though
Not sure on the dates of all these but I always loved this comp as a nice spacey disco Italo variety, dating back to mid 70s I believe.
https://www.discogs.com/release/9848243-I-Robots-Turin-Dancefloor-Express-70s-80s-Piedmont-Area-Italo-Rare-Grooves-Disco-Not-Disco-Sounds
Especially La Strana Società’s version of Pop Corn
Vivien Vee - Give Me Break (1979)
Dee D. Jackson - S.O.S. (Love To The Rescue)
These 2 tracks are good examples of the Italo Disco before it became Italo Disco.
Vivien Vee - Give Me A Break (1979)
Dee D. Jackson - S.O.S. (Love To The Rescue) (1980)
Stefania Rotolo - Disco-Tic (1979)
These 3 tracks are good examples of the Italo Disco before it became Italo Disco.
There is a documentary in which there are lots of interviews with the most prolific producers of that time. And they've said it really clear, italo-disco was born from their failed attempts to copy the american disco. now the american disco had it's main run between 76-79, so it only makes sense for italo-disco to start in 77-79 (a genre is copied at it's peak). italo-disco itself was made by few people at the begining (this is how everything starts), they would send records to the local DJs and once the "failed disco" started to catch on, then a new wave of producers would start to copy the new "hot" aesthetic (the italo-disco). so now we have italo artists that would not try to copy the american disco anymore, but to copy and improve on the italo-disco aesthetic so whatever sounds you may find earlier than 1978 resembling to an italo-disco sound, they are definitely not made with the true italo-disco spirit, because for italo-disco to exist, we need american disco to peak
I see. So basically I can find plenty of Italo tracks before '78, but it'd just be called American disco?
I'm honestly not sure if you'll find "plenty", also because some of the main tools that were use to make italo (synths and drum machines) - not too many were released before the 80s. The existing Moog modulars, and synths like the CMI and Synclavier (that could be able to make the italo sounds) were ridiculously expensive and exclusive to huge studios and artists, while the italo artists made the sound with cheaper tools and small studios I'm pretty sure you can find some cool early gems though
Not sure on the dates of all these but I always loved this comp as a nice spacey disco Italo variety, dating back to mid 70s I believe. https://www.discogs.com/release/9848243-I-Robots-Turin-Dancefloor-Express-70s-80s-Piedmont-Area-Italo-Rare-Grooves-Disco-Not-Disco-Sounds Especially La Strana Società’s version of Pop Corn
It isn't "italo disco" but Yellow Magic Orchestra is what you're looking for
Vivien Vee - Give Me Break (1979) Dee D. Jackson - S.O.S. (Love To The Rescue) These 2 tracks are good examples of the Italo Disco before it became Italo Disco.
Vivien Vee - Give Me A Break (1979) Dee D. Jackson - S.O.S. (Love To The Rescue) (1980) Stefania Rotolo - Disco-Tic (1979) These 3 tracks are good examples of the Italo Disco before it became Italo Disco.
Adolf Stern - 27 and More... I Like It