Wake me up when September ends...
By its own standards, our island has been sleepy compared what it's usually like this time of year. Understandable, given the circumstances, yet we're likening the absence of closing party season to losing a limb. Call us over dramatic if you want.
In any case, it's that time of month again, where we recount what ten tracks have been working our speakers during the past 30 or so days. Yet again, it's a varied assortment of music from across the dance spectrum whilst retaining some Ibizan ingredients wherever possible.
Los Suruba | En Las Dalias | Nazca Records | 21 September
First up, Los Suruba pen a love letter to North institution Las Dalias - Ibiza's oldest music venue. During a summer full of cancellations, curtailments and disappointments, Alvaro and Delmar's Sunday exploits in San Carlos have been a welcome distraction.
This past Sunday, Los Suruba returned with a surprise extra date to end the series. A bittersweet affair, Los Suruba walk away from it as one of a handful of Ibiza 2020 champions. Here's to them continuing the momentum into next year.
Chelina Manuhutu | Big G | La Pera Records | 4 September
During a usual summer, we'd be seeing Chelina Manuhutu cutting some serious shapes at the likes of ANTS and elrow. Although we didn't get to see that in 2020, the Ibiza-based DJ and producer has still been able to deliver this slab of tech house (with just a little help from Montell Jordan's R&B classic 'This is how we do it') on La Pera. It's big!
Unglued | Total XTC | Hospital Records | 4 September
Borrowing a sample from Charvoni's nostalgic house track Always There, Unglued gets soulful on this jungle anthem. It's a blue light response from the Hospital Records camp - and one that'll have you reaching for the lasers. Might drum and bass have a big year on Ibiza in 2021?
K&K | Feelin High | Blockhead Recordings | 11 September
UK duo K&K chart next with a techy offering. Feelin High is the B-side to the Michael McDonald sampled Regz. If you like this, then we suggest checking out K&K's next release which sees them give Zero B's hardcore classic Lock Up a house overhaul.
Steve Bug & Cle feat Robert Owens | Not In Vain | Poker Flat | 11 September
Next up, it's time to get deep with Poker Flat boss Steve Bug and occasional collaborator Cle. Anything that features the distinct vocals of Chicago legend Robert Owens immediately gets our nod. A luscious beat and a bassline that sounds strangely familiar complete the masterpiece.
Jan Blomqvist & Oliver Schories | Packard (Giorgia Angiuli Remix) | Pracht | 18 September
When we premiered Packard in June, we had a feeling we hadn't heard the last of the track.
Now multi-disciplinarian Giorgia Angiuli has put her own spin on it. The In A Pink Bubble heroine was an invitee of Jan Blomqvist at his Disconnected party during 2019. Here's hoping for more future collaborations between two of the scene's most unique live performers.
CAYAM | Pleasure | Kneaded Pains | 18 September
While Maya Jane Coles has devoted plenty of time to her Nocturnal Sunshine project these past few years, her CAYAM alias has been largely shelved. That is until now. For the first time since 2014, MJC dusts off the cobwebs for an EP of techno focused cuts on Kneaded Pains.
David Penn & KPD | Jerkin' | Armada Deep | 4 September
Disco vibes inbound as David Penn and regular studio buddy KPD stir up an eruptive vocal and bodyshaking groove on Jerkin'. The seasoned Spaniard is celebrating having officially signed to Defected management after many years of association with the brand.
Oh, and we actually managed to road test this one, so it comes officially dance floor approved by the Ibiza Spotlight clan.
Frisco feat BBK | Red Card | Self Released | 1 September
Boy Better Know in the house! The North London grime collective are brought back together, courtesy of integral member Frisco. Fellow MCs Skepta, JME and Jammer all feature. The single is taken from Frisco's forthcoming album The Familiar Stranger.
Acid Pauli | Sublime Frequencies Of Cairo | Ouïe | 18 September
Amongst others, one colourful character Ibiza missed dearly this summer was Acid Pauli. For his latest album project, Gretschmann gets experimental as he pays homage to modular synthesis.
Is it a little self indulgent? Well, yes, but there's nothing wrong with that from time to time.
Our favourite pick from the album is Sublime Frequencies Of Cairo, which comes accompanied by the above visualiser. Stripped back and beatless, but just wait for the orchestral breakdown to come in. MOD is out now.
We'll be back at the start of November with our highlights from this month.
