It's been a cracking month of action here on the White Isle, it really has - summer mode has kicked in big time. As a result, we've been bombarded by a spate of tunes - old and new - some of which are guaranteed to earn a hallowed place in the Ibiza dance floor hall of fame. Here we take a look at some of the best tracks we've been treated to in the month of June, including some old school club classics, some brand new tasty nuggets and a whole load of aural goodness in between.
Charles B & Adonis
'Lack of Love'
Originally released in 1988, 'Lack of Love' is an absolute classic - one that Jamie Jones thrashed out b2b with Richy Ahmed at the Paradise opening. The track begins with a distinctive screech reminiscent of its Haçienda acid house credentials, followed by classic house riffs, synths, keyboards and bouncing bass. Hopefully we'll hear this regularly at DC-10, and elsewhere over summer - failing that we'll have it on repeat on our headphones anyway.
Kevin De Vries
'Time Traveler'
'Time Traveler' is a stomping techno track from young up and coming German producer, Kevin De Vries. It begins with thudding bass that continues throughout, slowly building to a crescendo around four minutes in with eerily haunting synths before kicking back in to finish with a futuristic strings that blast you through time. Already a firm Cocoon favourite.
Audion
'Mouth to Mouth'
Picked by the legendary Matthias Tanzmann as one of his all-time classic Circoloco tracks, 'Mouth to Mouth', by American producer Audion is a quality club banger. This near 13-minute odyssey has been spun this year at Martin Solveig's My House at Pacha and Sankeys. It's been 10 years since its release and it still results in clubbing pandemonium, every time. Quality.
Slam feat Mr V.
'Take You There'
'Take You There' wastes absolutely no time in transporting you to the dark world of scintillating techno. Slam, the Glaswegian duo now in their 25th year, show no signs of slowing down and this tune is guaranteed to leave scorch marks on the dance floor. Sven Väth has picked up on this one already, so more tastemakers sure to follow suit.
OXIA
'Domino'
Yet another classic brushing approaching the decade mark, Domino featured on Kompakt: Total 7, among other albums. This melodic summer anthem, with its skipping high end and oscillating tones has been entertaining eager clubbers this summer at a number of Ibiza clubs - including Space, where Coxy himself gave this uplifting, atmospheric techno track a spin on at least one occasion.
Todd Terry
'Jumpin''
'Jumpin'', originally released way back in 1994, is the definition of a classic house track - you can almost smell the inimitable '90s vibe on this one. It begins with an alarm sound that calls you to attention before kicking into steady rhythmic drumming. The vocal samples continue throughout with classic hip-hop breakdowns thrown in every few bars. A fantastic track from one of the undoubted masters of the genre that's been enjoying spins in both Sankeys and Glitterbox so far this season.
Lee Walker vs DJ Deeon
'Freak Like Me'
'Freak Like Me' has been entertaining eager clubbers over the past six months and looks set to become one of 2016's summer anthems following remixes by Armand Van Helden and Sunny Fodera. Middlesbrough's Lee Walker has broken through with this track, and it doesn't look like it'll be going away any time soon. Its massive bassline and accompanying catchy vocals make for an uplifting house track that's built for Ibiza dancefloors.
Sven Väth
Electrica Salsa (Henrik Schwarz Remix)
Originally released in 1986 - when Väth was aged just 21, and made up one third of the OFF Project along with Luca Anzilotti and Michael Münzing - 'Electrica Salsa' is being re-released this summer with remixes by Henrik Schwarz and Roman Flügel. According to Väth himself “Henrik Schwarz actually invited a brass group to the studio and recorded them with strings and Latin bass, which makes a great modern version.” Expect to see clubbers losing their shiz all over the shop to this one.
ON/OFF
Sirtaki (Harvey McKay Remix)
Harvey McKay does a fantastic job with this remix of Dutch duo On/Off's 2012 techno hit – 'Sirtaki'. This brooding belter had ravers throwing shapes around the floor at the opening of Marco Bailey's MATERIA at Vista Club, courtesy of Sam Paganini behind the decks. Anyone into dark, eerie techno will love hearing this one banged out on some of the best sound systems in the world.
Max Chapman
'Inside'
Max Chapman will be playing a number of dates over the summer at Abode at Sankeys on Friday nights in Ibiza, with his last gig on the White Isle happening on 18 September at Sundays At Space. This alternative house track has been played by Santé and Sidney Charles in Pacha, with more spins surely beckoning for the UK maestro.
WORDS | David Fleming
