Gino Grasso – LINE OUT #6

Gino Grasso is a ‘disco don’ and rare record dealer. 
A life-long collector collector of disco music for over 30 years he supplies the big dons like Dimitri from Paris, Kenny Dope Gonzalez and others. Even Peter Brown from P&P Records has asked him personally for catalogue records that he doesn't have anymore. He's always DJing in Italy (where he's very well known) and around Europe. He's also a close friend and big fan of Far Out Recordings. Joe Davis the label head of Far Out asked him to put together a mix around the new Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra album release from the label. Here it is:

We chatted to Gino & Joe… 

Gino, who are you, where are you and what are you?

My name is Gino Grasso, Italy, DJ, Collector and Producer

How did you come to know the guys at Far Out recordings?

I know the label through the productions of Azimuth and listening to Joe Davis on the decks.

Where was the mix recorded?

The Mix was recordered in my studio with my Urei's mixer and 2 Technics 1200.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

I did it, of course, thinking about the dancefloor but could be better on the radio around midnight.

What should we be wearing?

Sneakers for dancing and big glasses.

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

I love to record my mixes live, in one shot, old school, feeling the location and my Vinyl. Maybe in Paradise Garage would have been the one back in the day, that’s a dream for many. If I record my mix in my studio I love recording it in the night.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Sure Roger Gravel – Un Habit En La Bemol. 

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

My first one for the website Ebony Cuts. 

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

Larry Levan – he was the maestro!

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

In the beginning I had played only Disco and Funk. Now I love to play everything which is important to the underground music scene, f**k commercial stuff, I can't do that to my soul!

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

In Italy we said if you begin well, you end well. In the dj set the first 30 minutes are the most important. 

What were the first and last records you bought?

The First – South Sure Commission – Get Down Get Down (Don't Cha Wanna) The last – (today) Jamaica Tropical Band – Check Out Your Mind.

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

Original Tortellini (from my city Bologna).

If it was an animal what would it be?

A Koala.

What would happen if we gave up the funk?

My world will fall down.

Anything else we need to discuss?

I love digging for great music, I don't appreciate the dj's who share stuff….my vinyl, my music is a part of my body…I can share my arms or my legs to anybody….

And now to Joe Davis, for those living under a stone please let us know the history of Far Out recordings:

Joe Davis: "Far out Recordings was set up 20 years ago. I have been working in the underground music scene in London for the last 30 years almost and was DJing and digging records worldwide before the birth of the label for many years. I went to Brazil a lot to dig music in the 80s and decided it would be the main sound for the label once I had decided to do run a label professionally. I also wanted to have elements of my history in London, knowing DJs from all around the world and working alongside them with the sounds that I wanted to produce and release from Brazil. That was the idea and direction of the label and we do that till today. We have worked with some of the greatest and genius’s in Brazilian music and in music generally and we have been lucky to be close to them."

Upcoming in the world of Far Out recordings?

Joe Davis: 20 years anniversary CD featuring tracks and remixes by the likes of Theo Parrish, Spiritual South, Suono and all classic Far Out tracks in one compilation format.
New Artists:
DJ Tudo E Sua Gente de Tudo Lugar
DJ Delores
Sean Khan
New records by Joyce, Azymuth, Ipanemas, Mauricio Maestro with Nana Vasconcelos
Some classic reissues of Brazilian Music
More Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra next phase remixes by Andres, DJ Spinna, Dego, LTJ Soundsystem

The self-titled ‘Far Out Monster Disco Orchestra’ album, which features remixes by Theo Parrish, Marcellus Pitman, John Morales, Mark E and Mark Pritchard is out now. Buy it here.