No, Michael Stipe and did not dabble in Italo. Actaually, Computer Communication was the second of four releases to appear on the short-lived Xanadu label from Italy in 1983. This is a readily available and largely underrated Italo classic 12" that you can still buy in excellent condition for around $20. They're pretty tough to find for sale in the US, so you'll probably have to pay international air postage from Italy if you're dying for the track.

SCHEMATIC: Automan 11 bootleg reissue...

Beyond buying a few records to lower the per unit shipping cost or waiting for one to show up in the US, this track was reissued as a high-quality bootleg as the B-side of Automan 11 in 2005 along with Junior  Byron's Dance to the Music and Kazino's Binary on the A-side. A NM example is currently available in the US for $10 on Discogs Marketplace.

I embedded youtube videos for all three tracks, since they're all pretty rad. That being said, I do prefer the dub version to Junior Byron's track, which was used to great effect on DFA label co-owner and LCD Soundstyem frontman James Murphy's FabricLive.36 compilation.

I want this record SO badly that I am reluctant to even make other people aware of it. The third release on the legendary italo label Fuzz Dance. http://youtu.be/wdP3N9Od5Ew

SCHEMATIC: Bootleg reissue...

Plastic Love is now available on Safety Copy 07, a limited edition (333 copies) clear vinyl german bootleg. This same pressing also features Kirlian Camera's Communicate.

Be still my robotic heart! Jo Lemaire's 1981 cover of the Serge Gainsbourg classic is a sultry, breathy slow burn laid over some tight drum beats and layered, melancholy synths. "I came to tell you I am going..."

Anybody else spot a Daft Punk Technologic sample in this, particularly once the lyrics kick in around 0:40? The 2+ minute breakdown at 3:48 is some robotic funk video game pinball madness! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45M0cz-9Nvs

http://youtu.be/I3G7oj0GqRs

End of line.

From the Hideki Matsutake's album Logic released in 1981. How can you argue with a hot (french) girl singing over smooth robotic beats? Get the Japanese pressing: It is sonically superior and not expensive (yet).

Oh? What's that? You liked that, did you? Well, there are over 130 more videos on my painstakingly assembled youtube playlist. If you want to journey even deeper, I've compiled two related playlists that delve into the history of and equipment used in the production of early electronica.