Balearic Vinilo y CD

Review: It's that time of year when thoughts turn to lazy afternoons down the beach, early evenings sat watching White Isle sunsets and sticky nights of loved-up debauchery. In other words, it's the perfect time to dive into the latest volume in the consistet Balearic compilation series. There's naturally much to admire in the now-familiar Cafe Del Mar/Cafe Mambo style, from the horizontal, flute-laden samba shuffle of The Madrigal's "The Ride to the Moon" and Shay Lovers exceedingly drowsy "Black & White", to the warm chords and head-nodding beats of Steve Cobby's remix of "Tradewinds" by Penelope Antena, and tropical exuberance of Maajo's "Musa Paradisa". Best of all, though, is Mudd's impeccable "Mix for Emma" of Zee Erf's blissful cover of "Southern Freeez", which is one of the most stunning tracks you'll hear all year.

Review: Balearic are back with their fourth label compilation, lovingly programmed by label boss Jim Breese. The perfect soundtrack for summer, brim-full of beach-ready tunes that truly reflect Ibiza's chilled musical spirit. Featuring legends and newcomers of the style alike, such as Japan by way of London's Max Essa with the sublime slo-mo beauty of "Gold Hush" (part 2), the legendary On U Sound (Adrian Sherwood) serves up a rework of Los Twangueros' classic "Entre Dos Aguas", Faze Action deliver a superbly neon-lit rendition of Private Agenda's "Dawn" and man of the moment Fabrizio Mammarella (who collaborates with Philip Lauer as Black Spuma) impresses as always - on his life-affirming re-rub of Gallo's "Faron".

Review: Balearic are back with their fourth label compilation, lovingly programmed by label boss Jim Breese. The perfect soundtrack for summer, brim-full of beach-ready tunes that truly reflect Ibiza's chilled musical spirit. Featuring legends and newcomers of the style alike, such as Japan by way of London's Max Essa with the sublime slo-mo beauty of "Gold Hush" (part 2), the legendary On U Sound (Adrian Sherwood) serves up a rework of Los Twangueros' classic "Entre Dos Aguas", Faze Action deliver a superbly neon-lit rendition of Private Agenda's "Dawn" and man of the moment Fabrizio Mammarella (who collaborates with Philip Lauer as Black Spuma) impresses as always - on his life-affirming re-rub of Gallo's "Faron".

Review: There's no surprise with the vibe on this latest compilation on Balearic: Balearic 3. From the cold-chillin tones of Cantoma's "Abando" that open up side A to the blissed out ambient drift of the "Balearic Mix" of Tommy Awards' "Sessions II - Untitled Track", this is the definitive sound of that least definitive of genres. This collection of tracks cruises by via the idyllic strum of The Madrigal, the yearning, searching "Daydreams" by Fuga Ronto, the jangly funk of Quinn Lamont Luke and the slinky groove of Hubbabubbaklubb, never once letting that balmy Mediterranean mood break form. They just don't get more Balearic than this.

Review: The horizontally-inclined duo Jim Breese and Chris Coco return with a second Balearic compilation to further expresses the indefinable spirit behind the movement. Some thirteen tracks are spread across the generous two slabs of vinyl for a compilation that is beautifully hazy. From A Vision Of Panorama's Bergerac-style Jersey jaunt "Seaside Tune" to the slack Paqua bass twangs of Simon Peter's "Arc Of Lark" by way of the dreamy cloud funk of Horsebeach's "Midnight" and nylon string introspection of Dream Lovers' "Brasil", this lives up to its name in every possible way. Perfect timing.

Review: The horizontally-inclined duo Jim Breese and Chris Coco return with a second Balearic compilation to further expresses the indefinable spirit behind the movement. Some thirteen tracks are spread across the generous two slabs of vinyl for a compilation that is beautifully hazy. From A Vision Of Panorama's Bergerac-style Jersey jaunt "Seaside Tune" to the slack Paqua bass twangs of Simon Peter's "Arc Of Lark" by way of the dreamy cloud funk of Horsebeach's "Midnight" and nylon string introspection of Dream Lovers' "Brasil", this lives up to its name in every possible way. Perfect timing.