Merry Christmas, Buon Natale, Joyeux Noel, Feliz Navidad

I would to wish all of you and your families a safe and joyful Merry Christmas!

Peace,
Dave

Mystic Diversions - Float On (Moonlight Mix)

Here is another rare remix. Enjoy!

Peace,
Dave

06 - Mystic Diversions - Float On _Moonlight Mix_.mp3

Amii Stewart - Dusty Road

Uploaded by request here is Amii Stewart's version of Mike Francis' "Dusty Road". Enjoy!

Peace,
Dave

01 - Dusty Road.mp3

The Best Of Mystic Diversions Part 3 & 4

Mystic Diversions:

Created and produced by Francesko. Additional producers: Aidan Zammit, Mari-One Puccioni.

The Mystic Diversions project is the result of the musical sensibility of Francesko, a musician and composer from Florence, who is well-known for his past successes under the stage-name of Mike Francis.

The first album started out as a World Music project and became a fascinating journey into Ambient and Lounge, with audible influences from ethnic, latin and the world of RnB and Soul, all filtered through the taste and sensitivity of Francesko and the People he invited aboard.

I always saved the best for last Part 3 and Part 4. I like Part 4 the best as it is a very nice compilation of ambient, ethnic, latin, brazilian bossa nova & samba styles.

I was surprised that some of the tracks have Mike Francis on background vocals too. So listen to Francesco's legacy. He maybe gone but his music lives on in all of us. I always enjoy listening to his music and I never get tired of it.

My next project is trying my hand at doing my own remixes of some of his songs the new way as in Funky, Soulful or Progressive House style.

Mixed and recorded on the fly. Enjoy!

Peace,
Dave

Part 3:

16 Bit Digital Stereo, 44.1 khz, 320 kbps, 133 mb, 00:58:30

01.Angel
02.Wave A Little Light (Spiritual Mix) Ft. Mike Francis
03.Float On
04.Colours
05.Sweet
06.Don't Be A Fool
07.Addicted
08.Dance Of The Seven Veils
09 Winter's Gone
10.Beneath Another Sky (Frontone Beach Mix)
11.The Love Dance
12.Song From: The Love Dance Ft. Dhani
13.Alma Del Mundo
14.I Feel Love (Mystic Diversions Mix)
15.What's On Your Mind (My Cherie)

To Listen Or DL:
DJ Dave Pineda The Best Of Mystic Diversions Part 3.mp3

Part 4:

16 Bit Digital Stereo, 44.1 khz, 320 kbps, 161 mb, 1:10:35

01.Miniatures Of You
02.Josephine Ft. Mike Francis
03.Ripples
04.Dawn Of Orgy Ft. Mike Francis on background vocal
05.Sweeter Than Light (Tribal Moonlight Mix)
06.Rumbrazil
07.Water
08.Calling My Mermaid Ft. Mike Francis
09.Away From This City
10.Que Sera - A Flor Da Pele Ft. Mike Francis on background vocal
11.Petite Fanny
12.Janiero
13.Omar
14.Quedate Ft. Mike Francis & Pati Palma
15.E Pa Pa
16.Chara-Mystic
17.If You Ever Call My Name

To Listen Or DL:
DJ Dave Pineda The Best Of Mystic Diversions Part 4.mp3

DJ Dave Pineda's The Best Mike Francis Medley Mix

Il miglior Medley Mix creato da DJ Dave Pineda per Mike Francis

Presento a tutti voi i migliori brani di Mike Francis in un medley di tutti i suoi album pubblicati fino al 1991. All' inizio dell' anno scorso ho creato un' altra compilation simile a questa, ma questa la più completa, se non la migliore di tutte.

Nel fare questa compilation ho usato tutte le ristampe in vinile dei dischi originali italiani.

Il mix originale è stato registrato, rafforzata con processori DBX e masterizzato in digitale 44.1 kHz, 16 bit, 1411 kbps .

Godetevelo!

Pace,
Dave

I present to all of you the best Mike Francis medley compilation of all his earlier albums up to until 1991. Early last year I made another compilation similar to this but this the most complete and if not the best of them all.

I used all the original italian vinyl pressings in making this compilation. The original mix was recorded, enhanced with DBX processors and digitally mastered in 44.1 khz, 16 bit, 1411 kbps format.

Enjoy!

Peace,
Dave

DBX Enhanced Digital Stereo 44.1 khz, 320 kbps, 197 mb, 1:26:10

01.Don't Rock My Soul
02.Dusty Road
03.On And On
04.Body Thrill (Maurizio Montanesi Remix)
05.Don't Start Giving Up
06.Livin' It Up (Extended Remix)
07.Let Me In (Original & Marco Trani Remix)
08.Friends (Extended Version & Maurizio Montanesi Remix) Performed by Amii Stewart
09.Gotta Have You Back (Performed By Amii Stewart)
10.Lovely Day
11.Features Of Love (Marco Trani & Peter Micioni Remix)
12.Iron It Out (Mike Francis & Marco Trani Remix)
13.Suddenly Back To Me (Extended Version)
14.Message In The Eyes
15.Dreams Of A Lifetime (Mario Flored Remix)
16.Together Again (Marco Trani Remix)
17.Survivor (Dave Pineda Recombination Mix)
18.Times Out Of Time (Mario Flored Extended Version)
19.Lifeline

To Listen Or DL:

ZShare:DJ Dave Pineda_s The Best Mike Francis Medley Mix.mp3

Rapidshare:DJ_Dave_Pineda_s_The_Best_Mike_Francis_Medley_Mix.mp3

New Mike Francis Song "Do It"

This must be one of the last tracks he made and was on the Blank & Jones Relax Edition 4 cd. I am pretty sure that he has some unreleased tracks which should be released on a new cd.

Anyways here it is for all of you to listen to.

Peace,
Dave

Blank _ Jones Ft. Mike Francis - Do It.mp3

The Best of Mystic Diversions Compilations Il Meglio Di Mystic Diversions

The Mystic Diversion project is the result of the musical sensibility of Francesko, a musician and composer from Florence, who is well-known for his past successes under the stage-name of Mike Francis whose real name is Francesco Puccioni, his brother Mario Puccioni aka "Mari-One" and Aidan Zammit.

The album started out as a World Music project and became a fascinating journey into Chill Out, Ambient and Lounge, with audible influences from ethnic music and the world of RnB and Soul, all filtered through the taste and sensitivity of Francesko and the people he invited aboard. Among those who contributed to the album, a special mention goes to DJ Pierandrea "The Professor", a well-known DJ-musician on the Rome scene and his partner, the jazz musician Natalio Luis Mangalavite. Both have an exquisite ear for music of quality.

I will be making 4-5 mixed compilations of the Mystic Diversion albums for all of you to listen and enjoy.

To: Tony my little italian helper I need for you to translate this post in italian so please contact me as soon as possible.

To all the Mike Francis fans all over the world who know little of this group, I hereby present to you the other side of Francesco. Please support this artist by buying their music. http://www.myspace.com/mysticdiversions

Mixed and recorded on the fly.

Peace/Pace,

Dave

In Italiano: (Grazie mi amici Tony)

Il progetto Mystic Diversion è il risultato della sensibilità musicale di Francesko, musicista e compositore di Firenze, che è ben conosciuto per i suoi successi passati sotto il nome di Mike Francis - il vero nome è Francesco Puccioni - , suo fratello Mario Puccioni alias "Mari-One" e Aidan Zammit.

L'album nasce come un progetto di World Music ed è diventato un affascinante viaggio nel Chill Out, Ambient e Lounge, con influenze di musica etnica e il mondo del RnB e Soul, il tutto filtrato attraverso il gusto e la sensibilità del Francesko e delle persone che ha invitato a far parte del progetto.

Tra coloro che hanno contribuito all'album, una menzione speciale va a DJ Pierandrea "Il Professore", un noto DJ-musicista sulla scena di Roma e il suo compagno, il musicista jazz Natalio Luis Mangalavite. Entrambi hanno una squisita orecchio per la musica di qualità.

Preparerò 4-5 mixed compilation di Mystic Diversion album, da ascoltare e goderne.

Per tutti i fans di Mike Francis in tutto il mondo che conoscono poco di questo gruppo, vi presento l' altra faccia di Francesco.

Vi prego di sostenere questo gruppo di artisti acquistando la loro musica: http://www.myspace.com/mysticdiversions

Mixato e registrato al volo.

Pace,

Dave

PART 1:

Digital Stereo 320 kbps, 44.1 khz, 144 mb, 1:02:55

01.Raining In Baires

02.Lisa

03.Shades Of Blue

04.Cygne Noir

05.Insomnia

06.Warm Summer Night

07.Blossom Love

08.Back To The Beginning

09.My Feeble Heart

10.Inmensidad

11.Sunset On Lucia Rosa Bay

12.Interracial

13.Bring It On

14.Late Summer Rain

15.High Above

To Listen or DL/Ascoltala:

DJ Dave Pineda The Best Of Mystic Diversions 1.mp3

Part 2:

Digital Stereo 320 kbps, 44.1 khz, 135 mb, 00:59:01

01.Chilled White Wine

02.Flight BA0247

03.Valerie Ft. Wendy Lewis

04.Wave Ft. Mike Francis & Wendy Lewis

05.Las Sombras Ft. Mike Francis & Patty Palma

06.Dream Of Kamala

07.Move Closer Ft. Maya

08.Will Follow Ft. Mike Francis

09.Scent Of Jasmine

10.Sensual Wanderer

11.Interiors

12.Me As Matado El Corazon Ft. Farias

13.Star From The Ocean

14.Flying To You

15.From The Distance

To Listen or DL/Ascoltala:

DJ Dave Pineda The Best Of Mystic Diversions 2.mp3

Exclusive World Premiere (Première Mondiale Esclusiva) Dave Pineda remixes and Rarities (Rarita)

It has been a long time that I have not posted something new in my blog I have been very busy the past few weeks with work and with projects involving me making Michael Jackson tribute mixes, which you can listen or download in my other blogspot at: http://djdavep.blogspot.com/ .

So here is something new for all of you Mike Francis fans.

My own personal remixes of some of his songs, and rare collaboration tracks with Mystic Diversions, Wendy Lewis, Dhany, Laura Serra, Frankie & Canthina Band, Blank & Jones and Il Ragazzi Italiani, of which I did a special remix too.

Digital Stereo, 320 kbps, 44.1 khz, 94 mb, 00:41:25

01.I Love You Ft. Wendy Lewis (Dave Pineda Special Duet Remix)

02.Que Date Ft. Laura Serra (Dave Pineda Special Duet Remix)

03.Songs From The Love Dance Ft. Dhany (Dave Pineda Special Duet Remix)

04.Josephine (With Mystic Diversions)

05.Il Ragazzi Italiani & Mike Francis - Lo Credo/If You Believe In Me (Dave Pineda Remix)

06.Frankie & Canthina Band Ft. Mike Francis - Never, Never Gonna Give You Up

07.Frankie & Canthina Band Ft. Mike Francis - Take My Heart

08.Blank & Jones Ft. Mike Francis - City Lights (Late Night Dub Mix)

To Listen or DL:

Mike Francis _Dave Pineda Mixes _ The Rarities_.mp3

Room In Your Heart McDoc Evo-XR Mix

This was remix was from McDoc's evo-xr blogspot http://evo-xr.blogspot.com/2009/02/mike-francis-room-in-your-heart-mcdoc.html.

Quote from McDoc:

I was re-editing Living In A Box's "Room In Your Heart" when I heard about his demise. Realizing that he made a cover version of this song (included in his 1999 album "All Rooms with a View"), doing an Evo-XR treatment of his version came to mind. So, here it is.

Digital Joint Stereo, 192 kbps, 44.1 khz, 8.41 mb. 6:06

To DL:
http://www1.zippyshare.com/v/31673882/file.html

On The Edge Of The Night Remixes

Here is a rare promo cd that I have and you can listen to the 3 different versions of it. This song came from the cd titled "A Different Air"

1.On The Edge Of The Night (Loud & Clear Extended Version)



2.On The Edge Of The Night (Rolando Extended Version)

3.On The Edge Of The Night (Gioia Mix Extended Club Remix)

Mike Francis Videos on YouTube

Here is a couple that I found. If any of you have some rare videos or music footage of Mike Francis please send an email for the link to the file.

Survivor (iO TV):


Let Me In.With introduction by Amii Stewart:


Let Me In (iO TV, 1984):


Friends Live in Manila (with Irma Castro):


Survivor Live in Manila ('99 Version):



Suddenly Back To Me (Azzurro 1987):


Sana Maulit (Tagalog Song sang by Mike Francis with Aidan Zammit)


Mini Medley with Adika Pongo live in Sardegna, he even sang a Kool & The Gang tune "Get Down On It" in the end of this video. This is probably one of the last videos of him:


Survivor at Festivalbar 1984:


Survivor live in concert (80's):


Survivor, Live at Meteore 2002:


Survivor with Belen Thomas (Festivalbar 1989):



Ahi Amor Original Music Video (Caution: This contains Nudity which may not be suitable for persons under 18 years of age)


Addio Mike Francis (Collage). Made by Muschio:


La storia di Mike Francis: le origini (1) (his story in Italian):


La storia di Mike Francis: Survivor (2)(in italian):


E Morto Mike Francis !!! Telegiornale (ITALIA UNO, Italian News Clip):

Mike Francis Medley - Resurrected! Part 1 & 2

Island Of Ponza, Italy

Francesco liked this place a lot that he wished to have his ashes strewn all over and that is what happened so his spirit lives in this island.

Here is a short description of the island taken from the website: http://selectitaly.com/sec_ponza.php?page=history

PONZA: A RUSTIC RETREAT

Ponza’s jagged coastline is a mosaic of multicolored volcanic rock cliffs and, although there are few physical reminders of its history, Ponza may have been home to an ancient Phoenician settlement.

Later colonized by the Romans, the island of Ponza is the most enchanting and popular of the Pontine Islands. This divine spot has a particularly healthy climate thanks to the iodine-rich breezes rising from the crystal clear sea and blending with the sun’s rays.

The picturesque rocky shores are dramatically peppered with caves, grottoes and steep offshore crags.The landscape is also dotted with bays and enticing little beaches, the most famous being Chiaia di Luna where the sparkling waters are some of the clearest and most frequented by swimmers and sun worshippers alike.

Delightfully laid out like an amphitheatre around the 18th century harbor, the seaside resort town of Ponza draws initiates as well as novices to its charming hotels, small shops and exceptional restaurants, which many visitors are convinced serve some of the finest seafood in Italy.

Please support Francesco by buying his music or donating to help the fight against cancer to:

Ospedale San PietroBanco di Sicilia Ag. 18, RomaCausale del versamentoAssistenza del malato Oncologico Day Hospital (in memoria di Francesco Puccioni)

IBAN: IT 67E 03002 05326 0004 00014278

It took me a long time to get over the untimely passing of Francesco. Now, I feel I have to rejoice and celebrate his legacy, so I made this tribute mix just for this moment.

This is my 6th compilation of songs by Mike Francis taken his various albums.

Mixed and recorded on the fly. Enjoy!

Peace/Pace,

Dave

Part 1:

Digital Stereo 320 kbps, 44.1 khz, 171 mb, 1:15:04

01.Summer Breeze

02.Friends

03.Late Summer Night

04.Upside Down

05.If You Believe In Me

06.I Want You

07.Don't Rock My Soul

08.Understanding

09.Perfect Love

10.The Way You Want Me, On & On

11.If That Is The Way

12.Senza Mani

13.Song From: The Love Dance

14.Fantasy Land

15.Wherever Love Is Found

16.Different Air

17.Chances Of The Heart

18.Lifeline

To Listen/Ascoltala:

DJ Dave Pineda Mike Francis Medley - Resurrected.mp3

Part 2: Bonus Mix

Digital Stereo 320 kbps, 44.1 khz, 95 mb, 00:52:10

01.Tocchi

02.Estasi

03.I'm Thinking Of You

04.City Lights

05.Nothing Can Come Between Us

06.This Love

07.Bellissimi Occhi Chiusi (Remix)

08.Se Tu Provi (Remix & Original Mix)

09 I Want You

10.Time

11.Deliver Me

12.I Don't Care

13.Ballad

14.Fall In Love

To Listen/Ascoltala:

DJ Dave Pineda Mike Francis Medley - Resurrected 2.mp3

Mike Francis Medley - The Remixes

To Mike Francis fans all over the world.

This is my 5th Mike Francis tribute mix. The remixes of his songs by different remixers. Two of them you will hear probably for the first time.

This compilation also features Amii Stewart, Mike wrote and produced some of the songs in her album titled "Try Love.

Mixed and recorded on the fly.

Many thanks to EVMO for providing me with the Amii Stewart version of "Dusty Road".

Peace/Pace!
Dave

DBX Encoded Digital Stereo 44.1 khz, 00:47:58

01.Amii Stewart - Dusty Road
02.Amii Stewart - That Loving Feeling
03.Amii Stewart - Dance Till You Get Enough
04.Amii Stewart - Friends '91 Mix
05.Amii Stewart - Friends (DMC Remix)
06.Amii Stewart - I Gotta Have You Back

07.Let Me In ('09 Tribute To Mike Mix by Alex Chinnici)
08.Let Me In '99 Mix
09.Features Of Love (Ultimix Remix)
10.Survivor (Dave Pineda Recombination Mix)
11.Survivor ('09 Tribute To Mike Mix by Alex Chinnici)
12.Survivor '99 Mix

To Listen/Ascoltala:

Mike Francis Medley - In Italiano, English and Live

To Mike Francis Fans all over the world:

This compilation is part 4 of my tribute to Francesco "Mike Francis" Puccioni.

By special request of fans from Italy (Viva Italia!) who wanted more of his italian songs and the wonderful people of the Philippines, my kababayans I included 4 songs which were recorded live in his numerous concerts in Manila.


There are also some unreleased songs in this compilation which some of you will just hear now!

Mixed and recorded on the fly! Enjoy!

I would appreciate if you guys and gals left comments.

Apprezzerei se tutti voi dall'Italia scrivessi alcune osservazioni per i miei sforzi nel portarlo tutto di queste canzoni rare di Francesco in italiano.

Peace/Pace!
Dave

Digital Stereo 320 kbps, 44.1 khz, 146 mb, 1:04:04

01. Introduction in Italian taken from a rare italian promotional record.
02.La Piccola Canzone
03.I'm Not In Love
04.Complici
05.Let's Get It On (Live in Manila)
06.Io Tra Le Braccia
07.Let Me In (Live in Manila)
08.Friends (Live in Manila)
09.Come Si Spiega
10.Landslide (Unreleased)
11.Distesa
12.Everytime (Unreleased)
13.Ciao, Senza Rimorsi
14.On Your Side
15.Semmai
16.Moonlight In Boracay (Live in Manila)

To Listen (Ascoltala) Or DL:
DJ Dave Pineda Mike Francis In Italiano and English.mp3

Mike Francis Medley - The 3rd Compilation

To all the Mike Francis fans all over the world:

Here is the third installment of his compilations. Some of the songs were taken from the Mystic Diversions cd's of which he is the producer and The Blank & Jones Relax CD's and from his album "Inspired".

Mixed and recorded on the fly. Enjoy!

Peace/Pace!
Dave

Digital Stereo 320 kbps, 44.1 khz, 161 mb, 1:10:30

01.I Love You Ft. Wendy Lewis (Dave Pineda Remix)
02.Las Sombras Ft. Patty Palma & Christiana Del Bello
03.Calling My Mermaid
04.Quedate
05Bossa Per Emilia
06.Il Mio Amore Libero Te/Harvest For The World (Dave Pineda Itaglish Mix)
07.Misteria
08.Fall In Love
09.Estasi
10.Ci Credo Ancora
11.Survivor (Duet With Belen Thomas)
12.Nothing Can Come Between Us (Deep Mix)
13.Josephine (Balearic House Mix)
14.Time (Beach House Mix)
15.Sunshine People Ft. Mike Francis - Still The Same (Club Mix)

To Listen (Ascoltala) or DL:

DJ Dave Pineda The Best Of Mike Francis Medley 1.mp3

Mike Francis Medley Canzoni D'Amore (Love Songs)

To Mike Francis fans all over the world:

This is my second tribute mix to Francesco.

I compiled some of Mike Francis' popular love songs in english and italiano. I included my special remix of one of his newer songs "I Love You" I added Wendy Lewis' vocals in a duet at the beginning of the song.

Mixed and recorded on the fly. Enjoy!

Peace/Pace!
Dave

Digital Stereo 256 kbps, 44.1 khz, 164 mb, 1:30:00

01. Josephine (Unplugged)
02. Settle Down
03. Still I'm Running Back To You
04. You Can't Get Out Of My Heart
05. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight (Ft. Dee Lewis)
06. Fallin' On Down
07. Young Lovers
08. Someone Like You
09. I Love You
10. That Loving Feeling
11. Room In Your Heart
12. Down
13. Understanding (M.D. RMX 2008)
14. Noi
15. Ahi Amor
16. Almeno Con Te
17. Ma Lo Sai
18. Tu Che Non Mi Senti
19. Dormo Con Te
20. Only For A Lifetime
21. I Love You (Dave Pineda Remix Ft. Wendy Lewis)
22. I'm Missing You

To Listen (Ascoltala) :
DJ Dave Pineda Mike Francis Medley Canzione Di Amore _Love Songs_.mp3

The Best Of Mike Francis Medley

Francesco "Mike Francis"Puccioni
April 26th, 1961 - January 30th, 2009

From The Inquirer:

MANILA, Philippines—Mike Francis, international pop sensation in the 1980s passed away Friday due to a lingering illness. He was 47.The Florence-born Francis, or Francesco Puccioni, had been particularly a favorite in Manila with his name figuring in the top acts during the heydays of electronic pop from 1985-1987, with such hits as “Friends” with Ami Stewart, “Survivor” with Belen Thomas, and his stirring solo “Let Me In.”His only live album, “Mike Francis Live in Manila” that featured his highly successful 1989 gig at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, proves how his music was well-received in the country.

A greatest hits compilation, “The Very Best of Mike Francis” featuring a mix of his Italian and English hits, was released seven days before his death in Italy.
The founder of Mystic Diversions, Francesco Puccioni, also known as Mike Francis, passed away this morning. He was the heart and soul of Mystic Diversions. He was a rare person, the kind you don't often meet. An unconditionally generous and loving person. He also had a beautiful and unique voice...
Ciao Francesco..

From his website http://www.mikefrancis.it/:

Un grazie a tutti coloro che hanno lasciato e lasceranno un pensiero per Francesco. Musicista di grande bravura, semplicemente straordinario a me diceva sempre che la sua ragione di vita era scrivere musica; amava il lavoro di studio, non amava apparire in televisione era una persona molto riservata. Un giorno eravamo in macchina e mise un suo cd poi, mi chiese "ti piace questo cantante?" io dissi "tantissimo" lui rispose "a me non tanto". Era un ragazzo semplice, disponibile, modesto, una grande persona e nonostante fosse un grande artista ho imparato da

Lui tanto sotto l'aspetto umano. Mi ricordava sempre che non aveva fans ma solo amici. Ho pianto tanto e parte del mio cuore è in viaggio con Lui. Comunque posso dire a tutti coloro che amano Francesco che ora è più vivo che mai, ha iniziato una nuova e lunga tournèe la più impegnativa. Fino a quando avrò la forza continuerò ad aggiornare il sito insieme al mio amico Mauro e mio nipote Luigi: conosceranno la sua musica tutti coloro che ancora non la conoscono.

Ciao Amico mio, spero che la tua tournèe sia un grande successo. Ti saluto come facevo sempre con un grosso e forte abbraccio, il tuo caro amico Alessandro. Siamo vicini alla famiglia per la grande perdita.

Alessandro Mitola

Translated in english by my friend Tony from Italy:

Thanks to those who have left and will leave a thought for Francesco.

Fine Musician of great , simply extraordinary capacity; he was using to say to me always that its reason of his life was to write music; he loved the music study job, did not love to appear in television shows,he was a discreet person..

A day we were into the car and he start playing a cd, asking me " do you like this singer ? " I said " very, very much , and he replied to me “ he don't like him so much ”.

He was a boy simple, available, modest, a great person and although he was a great artist. I have learned from Him a lot under human aspect. I always remember that he was using to say :i have no fans but only friends.

I have cried so much and a part of my heart is travelling with him.

However I can say to those who love Francesco that he now is alive , and he has started the hardest and longest new tour.

Till when I have the strenght, I will continue to update the website with my friend Mauro and my nephew Luigi : all that till now don't know its music will know .

Goodbye Friend of mine, I hope that your next tour will be a big success.

I say goodbye to You,like always i used to do :with a large and strong embrace, your friendly beloved Alessandro. We are near the family for the great loss.

Alessandro Mitola

Another write up from an italian news agency stating that he passed away due a lung tumor (cancer):

Translated by my good friend Tony from Italy.

On january 30 2009 Mike Francis, italo disco icon of the 80s is dead.He went away quietly and without clamor , as like as he have lived in times of increasing popularity: Francesco Puccioni aka Mike Francis was a protagonist of the booming dance-pop music of eighties, he died in Rome. He was born in Florence 47 years ago, at Rome hospital for lung cancer.

The artistic career of Francis can be summarized in the collection "The very Best of Mike Francis' release on January 20 after two years of absence from the music scene. 32 songs that sum up his dual Italian-British soul; songs never published offering the hit songs that have become Mike Francis very popular in Europe, from "Survivor" to "Friends." The career of Francis starts at 20 years in 1981.

After the debut as a autodidact in local radios, the first success, "Survivor," arrived in 1983. One year later, is the 'boom' with the American singer, but Italian by adoption, Amii Stewart with "Friends": The song was at first place of the individual topten charts becoming the 14th best-selling 45 rounds in 1984 and very, very popular in Uk charts.

In the eighties this Tuscan singer and musician make a cd in English (Features of Love, Flashes of Life, Let me in) composing also soundtracks for tv movie and TV. Between 1989 and 1996 he was in London where he starts working with Richard Darbyshire, leader of Living in the Box and author among others of Lisa Stanfield. In the 90s he decided to try with the Italian language, using lirycs made by two of most important italian lirycs writers: Mogol and Pasquale Panella (which in the'94 signing Bellissimi occhi chiusi).

The popularity was growing in Italy and abroad and in 1999 it was the turn of cd : All Rooms With View, which sees the rebirth of its most popular hit in a new music style. Studio's activity stop was until 2007, when the artist published his work: “Inspired”; this cd includes also some cover (including Someone like You by Van Morrison) and some unpublished pieces, this was the return on the music scene after a dedicated artistic projects, during the late nineties, ( Mystic Diversions), a trendy and great success project among fans of ambient and lounge music, Buddha Bar style Francesco Puccioni was a shy artist, far away from the media;Mike Francis was called himself “a random, a haphazard both in music and in life.

He used to say that he had inspiration for my music from all that was happening around him. " Some journalist asked him if he was interested in participating in some reality shows such as former colleagues in the'80s as dance Den Harrow and Sandy Marton; he replied: "No, thanks .

I do not see us in that type of program. I am a musician and I want to do only music. I love so little to appear: with the Mystic I had kept hidden even my real name. " Before Christmas, in an interview with the web site Miticultnews, he stated that "the best beautiful dance music began in the mid of 70s and ends in 1980."

After 1980 dance music has expired, it was no more the same,because in that period we were having so much fun and there was a general prosperity; in my opinion now people still listen 80 disco music more because it evoke the memories of Wellness than for the value art songs.

The singer's funeral was strictly private and now he is buried in his beloved island Ponza.

From a french news media report:

Nous apprenons avec tristesse que Mike Francis, l'un des chanteurs parmi les plus populaires de la dance music des années 80 en Italie, est mort à 47 ans, d'une tumeur aux poumons, dans la nuit de dimanche 1er Février 2009, à Rome.Né à Florence, il forme à 14 ans son premier groupe avec des camarades de classe de l'Institut Américain de Rome, de là son penchant à écrire des textes plutôt en anglais. Après ces quelques expériences musicales d'adolescent, il décroche très jeune un premier contrat discographique.

Il réalise son premier album et avec Survivor, il devient célèbre dans toute l'Europe.Il collabore avec de nombreux artistes dont la chanteuse noire américaine Amii Stewart pour qui il compose Friends, une chanson qui se classe dans le TOP 10 des meilleures ventes. Les années suivantes, il réalise d'autres albums qui font de lui, un créateur très apprécié sur le marché international.En 1991 il publie en prévision de sa participation au Festival de Sanremo, un album en italien en collaboration avec le légendaire parolier Mogol.

Il n'est finalement pas retenu mais son album obtient un énorme succès ce qui l'encourage en 1994 à enregistrer un nouvel album en italien, "Francesco innamorato" cette fois avec Pasquale Panella, disque qui sera classé dans le TOP 30 des ventes, publié par nos confrères du journal Musica e Dischi. La production de Mike s'enrichit en 1995 du nouvel album "A different air" en collaboration cette fois avec Frank Musker et Richard Darbyshire, ce dernier étant l'ex leader du groupe Living in a box.

Mike se produit alors à l'Hollywood Palladium de Los Angeles et à San Francisco puis enchaine les tournées en Extrême Orient où sa musique est très aimée.

En 1998, il publie l'album "Misteria" suivi par "The best of". En 1999, il enregistre l'album "All rooms with a view" distribué par Sony qui commercialise aussi une compilation de ses plus grands succès.

En 2000 et 2004 il retourne en Extrême Orient pour une tournée qui le mène jusqu'aux Philippines où il remplit l'Araneta Coliseum de Manille avec plus de 16 000 fans.En 2007, après une pause bien méritée il sort son nouvel album "Inspired", composé de standards que Mike aimait plus particulièrement et de chansons originales.

Tous ceux qui le connaissent, garderont de lui le souvenir d'un talentueux mélodiste mais aussi d'un garçon adorable, humble et discret. Notre équipe s'associe de tout coeur à la peine de sa famille et de ses amis. La musique vient de perdre quelqu'un de rare et de précieux, attentif à la misère du monde et généreux. Mike laisse derrière lui une oeuvre considérable et en réécoutant ses chansons, nous nous souviendrons de lui.Qu'il repose en paix.

Eric MONTANA S.M.N. Mardi 3 Février

A quote from myself:

"His music made me happy all the time. It did not matter what time of the day, month or year it was, but his music was right for any time, all the time."

I made a medley of his music a few months back, I did not know why I suddenly had the urge to make one as I have never played his music for a long time. I felt like I had to, and somehow he was telling me subconsciously to do it for him.

My tribute mix to Mike was featured by his official website http://www.mikefrancis.it/ , here is a portion of the main page from his site:

IN MEMORIA DI FRANCESCO PUCCIONI (MIKE FRANCIS)

La sua famiglia ringrazia tutti coloro che hanno lasciato messaggi di cordoglio e vi invita a sostenere le persone che lottano tutti i giorni contro i tumori.Una piccola donazione all'Istituto che ha assistito Francesco sarebbe gradita.

Francesco's family would like to thank all those who left their condolences. No flowers by request, but donations to the undermentioned institute are welcome. Please help the fight against cancer!

Ospedale San PietroBanco di Sicilia Ag. 18, RomaCausale del versamentoAssistenza del malato Oncologico Day Hospital (in memoria di Francesco Puccioni)IBAN: IT 67E 03002 05326 0004 00014278


Lascia un messaggio, una dedica o semplicemente scrivi un pensiero dedicato a Francesco.
Firma il Guestbook:

The Best Mike Francis Medley Mix

This mixset is a tribute to Francesco "Mike Francis" Puccioni by DJ Dave Pineda
Ascoltala

To all the fans of Mike Francis , this is probably the best Mike Francis compilation you will find and some of the songs are not available on any commercially released cd.

Mixed and recorded on the fly by yours truly. 100 % Pure Classic Vinyl.

Stereo DBX Encoded, 192 kbps, 96.3 mb, 1:10:07

1.Dusty Road

2.On And On3.Body Thrill (Extended Version)

4.Don't Star Givin' Up (Extended Version)

5.Livin' It Up W/Bros 2 (Remixed Version)

6.Let Me In (Dave Pineda Remix)

7.Friends W/Amii Stewart (Dave Pineda Remix)

8.Lovely Day (Extended Version)

9.Features Of Love (Extended Version)

10.Dreams Of A Lifetime (Extended Version)

11.Together Again W/Amii Stewart (Remixed Version)

12.Suddenly Back To Me (Extended Version)

13.Survivor (Dave Pineda Recombination Mix)

14.Times Out Of Time (Extended Version)

15.Night Time Lady (Extended Version)

To Listen/Ascoltala: