Balearic legends Chris Coco and George Solar have just released a cracking follow up to their smash October collaboration ‘Noche de San Juan‘. This time they’re celebrating my favourite month to visit Ibiza with ‘September on the Island’, a shimmering, jazzy dubwise slice of late summer soul. Best listened to from a sleepy bar with a glass of Hierbas and a view of Es Vedra I’d say, get involved via Bandcamp link below.
Release date 15/1/21
A Pete Lawrence mix for the darkest days of Midwinter. Original recording December 2000, Union Chapel, London, now for the first time with visuals. A beautiful thing…
A superb four track EP from Mike Salta & Mortale on Phil Cooper’s NuNorthern Soul label. It might be grey and damp here in the UK right now but this release in pure Summer and sunshine, flawless quality from first to last. Get on the pre-order now via Bandcamp link below…
It was an honour to be invited to create a mixtape for the lovely crew at the Dartmouth Arms / Disappearing Dining Club, as they’ve previously shared mixes from some top selectors like Ray Mang, Phil Cooper, Moonboots, Chris Coco, Pete Gooding, Phil Mison and their excellent residents Neil Thornton and Stuart Langley. Their taste in music is matched the quality of their venue and the hospitality they offer, all top quality from the vintage Celestion soundsystem to the stylish modern cooking, get along if you get the chance. It’s two hours of super chilled, beautiful music, enjoy…
Tracklist…
1. The Soft Rain Falls – Chris Coco
2. Starlight Lullaby – Los Days
3. Sunset Village – Beverly Glenn Copeland
4. The Eighth Wave – Suzanne Ciani
5. Pleasure Joy & Happiness – Eddie Chacon
6.Un Vida Llarga I Tranquila – Joan Bibiloni
7. Pharoah – RAS
8.Give the Light Back to the Night – Plastic Fantastic (Feat. Sally Rodgers)
9. Noche de San Juan – George Solar & Chris Coco
10. Liquid Deep – Dreamcast
11. King Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown – Braces Tower Dub
12. Patchouli – James Bright
13.Starseeds – Seahawks
14. Reclaim Landscape – Clandestino Beach Version – OOFT
15. Citations – Mildlife
16. Honey Rooftops – Blair French
17. The Advisory Circle – Sundial
18.Pharaohs – Tears for Fears
19.Conversational – Domenic Leone
20.Cafe del Mar – Frank Fischer
21. Tinseltown in the Rain – The Blur Nile
22. Regnantem Sempiterna – Jan Garbarek & the Hilliard Ensemble
23. After the Storm – Greg Foat
Leonidas & Hobbes make a timely return with ‘Aranath‘ EP, 3 years after ‘Web Of Intrigue’ (from 3rd EP Rags Of Time) was voted No1 in Bill Brewster’s 2017 DJ History poll. Delivering a follow-up to many people’s 2017 summer anthem has been something of a protracted process, not least due to Covid and the 400 miles between us.
Aranath features the hugely talented multi-instrumentalist Riad Abji and his virtuoso cello & tanpura raga, which inspired us to create 4 mixes, combining Riad’s eastern lament with classic house and ambient techno. The release is complemented by the tropical flavours of ‘Into It’ and ‘Out Of It’. The previously unreleased ambient mix of ‘Web of Intrigue’ (digital-only bonus track) from ‘Rags of Time’ rounds off what can certainly be described as a ‘deep’ release.
The sleeve art was inspired by an Indian painting from the 19th Century and created over the course of many obsessive evenings at the height of lockdown (as was some of the audio). Needless to say, the whole project has helped to keep us both sane through these crazy months.
A limited edition vinyl record will be pressed up, featuring our signature in the run-out groove/dead wax, in a full colour sleeve with 3mm spine, shrink-wrapped (PLUS download code, including 3 bonus tracks – NB This includes an 8 min ‘Edit’ of ‘Aranath’ (Original Mix).
The Orb say ‘Unearthing archive footage from projections used on our 1997 tour! These haven’t been seen since the Albert Hall gig in ’98. Big ups to Peter Ainsley for converting his old reels of footage.’
This is what happens when two original Balearic heads meet up in the name of dub, sunsets & left field Ibiza.
A playful, almost innocent reggae riddim with a jazzy saudade twist, created in just a few summer nights on the axis of goodness linking up central London and the hills of Ibiza’s very own San Juan.
It is believed that on the night of summer solstice (aka “Noche de San Juan”), paranormal events are more likely to occur… as in this shortest night of the year, humans make contact with pagan gods by jumping over huge bonfires. A local Spanish tradition welcoming the summer, always related to fire & water.
Chris Coco and George Solar transformed those Ibicenco vibes into sound this year, with a little help from members of the infamous Ibiza based Dubtropical Allstars band. The beginning of something beautiful indeed – thanks to the music & fire gods. Version galore, play it some more!
Released October 2, 2020
Hot on the heels of his early Summer Betamax EP, prolific balearic producer James Bright is back with his new 5 tracker, the Zooniverse EP on Quattro Music. His trademark shimmering, summery sounds are showcased here, with those bubbling, hypnotic acid lines never far away.
Head nodding chuggers for headphone hedonism are the elements of this universe, rather than big room bangers. We can all extend our Summer season with these downtempo poolside classics.
The escapist ambience starts with opener ‘Timelapse’, a cinematic glide with echoes of the Thievery Corporation. Then onto title track ‘Zooniverse’, with it’s brooding acidic throb. Track three is ‘Patchouli’ a deeper, swirling trip of psychedelic dub, and a personal favourite for me. ‘Freq Out’ is next, a mid tempo dancefloor cut with nagging 303’s and atmospheric synth lines. Finally JB lets us down gently with closer ‘Cosmos,’ a slo-mo tropical journey, with ringing guitars, merimbas and yes, that essential squelch.
Top drawer balearic business, an essential purchase, download or stream.
For their 14th release, the Bournemouth-based Eclectics label heads to Italy and brings back the Papa Doc Aguila EP from Max Manetti (Uber/Music For Dreams).
Four proper slo-mo afro beat, balearic chuggers to choose from, all well worth a place in your collection.
The label will be pressing up their first vinyl release in strictly limited numbers, available through Qrates here.
