Juno Recommends Balearic / Downtempo: June 2022

Review: Sean Johnston has put together some righteous compadres to form a new project - The Summerisle Six. Featuring Jo Bartlett (Yellow Moon Band) on vocals, Andy Bell (Oasis and Ride amongst others) & Duncan Gray on guitars, Kev Sharkey (That Petrol Emotion, The Undertones, Elvis Costello to name a few) on percussion, Mick Somerset Ward on Sax (Clock DVA, Was Not Was, Crooked Man). This Is Something is a driving pop groover reminiscent of a late 80's early 90's Indie Dance anthem. The Dub mix invites the OG mix to ALFOS, turns the lights off and presses the smoke button for a chuggy heartwarming trip across the dance floor. There are no words to describe Rico Connings mix other than to say this 10 min journey has to be heard to be believed. A genuine Balearic gem.

Review: The third release on the Misadventures label has as solid as the first two. This time out it is Manchester producer Haners who is back at the buttons with the sort of impossibly dreamy and tropical Balearic sounds that brighten up even a drizzly northern afternoon. The supple and sublime 'Denial' kick off with gently titling grooves and wet claps, acoustic guitar riffs and breathy vocals tones. 'Shooter' is a reggae and dub tinged rhythm that lolls up and down like a swaying tide. 'Memories' is for when the sun sets and the party gets more dance floor oriented with nice cosmic disco overtones.

Review: Double Geography drops heavyweight 7" on IIB. Beautiful synth patterns and melodies drifting over a shuffling drum pattern. Like a long lost Maxi 12 dub mix from the 80s. Just lovely.Flip it over for the boss that is Ruf Dug's rework. Buzzing flies and slight de tuned stabs create a slightly moody eastern super dub chug bomb.Do not miss this

Review: Almost two decades have now passed since the release of Sebastien Tellier's most iconic single, 'La Ritournelle' - a stunning, stirring, string-drenched favourite in which fluid pianos, sweeping orchestration and Tellier's eyes-closed vocals ride a typically loose-limbed Tony Allen drumbeat. This reissue pairs the peerless original mix with two 2003 remixes of the cut and a rare 'bonus beat' version that showcases Allen's incredible polyrhythmic drum track. Mr Dan's remix gives the track a slight psychedelic dream-pop vibe - throwing in a few subtle audio references to Smile-era Beach Boys for good measure - while retaining most of the original instrumentation, while the Gilligan Moss interpretation replaces Allen's drumming with a fuzzy, low-slung dub disco groove and a smattering of analogue synth sounds. One of those records that everyone should own a copy of.

Review: Moby has been in the headlines for some of the wrong reason recently but his music still warrants attention. His best days might have been his earliest period and albums like Play and 13 but on this record electronica meets orchestral in a new collection of house, techno and contemporary classical remixes of his material. The album comes with notes on the project from the man himself as well as reworking alongside the Budapest Art Orchestra of his most recognizable rave classics and anthems, many of which have all new arrangements for orchestra and acoustic instruments.

Review: While it's a cliche to describe Balearic-minded releases as being "sun-soaked" and "sunset-ready", they're both descriptors that accurately reflect the gorgeously warm, melodious and laidback sound of Japanese outfit Coastlines. Their second self-titled album is every bit as inspired as its predecessor and offers a range of tracks built around layered, intricate instrumentation, gently shuffling rhythms and vivid daydreams about beachside walks in sunnier climes. Our picks of a very strong bunch include the Andreas Vollenweider-inspired slo-mo Latin shuffle of 'Tenderly', the blazed deep jazz-funk of 'Alicia', the piano-laden early morning wonder of 'Night Cruise' and the squelchy future boogie of 'Sky Island'. In a word: sumptuous!

Review: Blair French is a brilliant groove-smith who has turned out plenty of classics on the likes of Claremont 65, Rocksteady Disco and Razor-N-Tape. After a recent new limited 12" in April he makes a quick return with this a-side gem, 'The Bird Watcher.' It's a loose and worldwide disco sound with organic perc and languid bass next to wild bird calls and hypnotic flute leads.
Eddie Logix's 'Sunshine, Sunblock' then brings a dubbed out vibe with more jungle sound effects and naturalistic atmospheres.

Review: Following up the first release quickly with Detroit native Paul Alan, who now resides on the sunny west coast. Paul Alan aka DTCHPLNES, delivers the smooth latin driven car cruiser "Provider" and the sun blissed slow skate vibes of "Charlevoix", which also sounds great on 45. The two track 7 inch is wrapped in a treasure map jacket with a compass foil stamp and includes a postcard.