An intoxicating blend of Italian songs from the 50s and 60s and contemporary music inspired by this bygone era, I promise you this album will put a lit Modiano in your mouth, a scooter between your legs and whisk you around the cafés of Milan.

If you are a fan of compilations and need a good collection of classic Italian café music then this is the one. It is a little disappointing that the great Paolo Conte doesn’t make an appearance but a couple of the tracks come from his little brother Giorgio (two tracks by the same artist on a compilation of music form the whole of Italy?, surely there was a wider choice?, oh well).

Italian Café is a charming collection that will appeal to listeners of any generation.This is one that will remain in my car ready to be popped on the moment I am at traffic lights, the sun is out, my windows are down and there’s some sexy ragazza crossing, and I’m a seventeen year old happy hardcore fan!!

http://www.putumayo.com

Paul Smith