Gino Soccio
Gino Soccio is a Canadian disco producer and songwriter born on September 9, 1955, in Montreal, Quebec. He began playing piano at age eight and mastered Bach sonatas by eleven, later studying philosophy at the University of Montreal while working as a session musician on keyboards, drums, and guitar. Influenced by Kraftwerk, Stockhausen, and Wendy Carlos, he embraced synthesizers in the early 1970s and entered disco in 1975 via producer Pat Deserio.
Soccio's 1979 debut album Outline featured the #1 Billboard Dance hit "Dancer," which also reached #48 on the Hot 100, selling over a million copies globally. He released four solo albums (S-Beat in 1980, Closer in 1981, Face to Face in 1982), produced for artists like Witch Queen and Karen Silver, and earned two Juno nominations.
Active until the mid-1980s with singles through 1986 and compilations into the 1990s, Soccio largely vanished from public view afterward, reportedly residing in Quebec while avoiding interviews.
Closer
Soloist, Trumpet – Roger Walls
Vocals – Erma Shaw
8:11
A2 Street Talk 5:32
A3 (It's Been) Too Long 5:02
B1 Hold Tight
Vocals – Elisabeth Smith
5:16
B2 Love Is
Written-By – Bill Withers, Paul Smith
2:37
B3 Closer
Soloist, Guitar – John Farley
6:14
Label: Atlantic – SD 16042
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Disco, Boogie
Released in 1981, Gino Soccio’s Closer is a highly regarded, synth-heavy Italo-disco and funk album produced by the Canadian artist himself. Featuring the standout hit "Try It Out," the 6-track record blends danceable grooves with polished production, including a soulful cover of "Love Is" and a moody, instrumental title track.
The album sits at the intersection of disco, funk, and early electronic/Italo-disco. It is characterized by shimmering synthesizers, driving basslines, and polished, professional production.
Standout Tracks:- "Try It Out": Considered the album's masterpiece, this track features a long, funk-driven arrangement with a notable trumpet solo; "Love Is": A well-received cover of the Bill Withers song; "Closer": The title track is a moody, instrumental synth piece; "Street Talk": A soulful, smooth track featuring saxophone.
Closer is often viewed as a classic, sophisticated dance record that bridges the gap between late disco and the evolving 80s synth-pop sound. While sometimes noted for incorporating lighter, pop-oriented elements compared to his earlier work, it remains a favorite among fans of the genre.
Soccio served as both artist and producer, creating a polished sound that has aged well, often described as having a "timeless" quality.
The album peaked at #96 on the US chart and #26 on the US R&B chart, cementing its place as a recognized, high-quality production in the disco era.