Juno Recommends Balearic / Downtempo November 2020

Review: .Mikhail Khvasko has been painting a vivid, sunkissed picture of Balearic bliss with his A Vision Of Panorama project since it first emerged on Mellophonia back in 2016. As the nights start to draw in, this latest drop is just what you need to escape to an imagined coastal idyll where the sun never sets. From the steady groove of 'Floral Rhythm' to the gentle skank of 'Seaside Tune' this is immaculately rendered feel-good music rendered in plush synths with an unmistakable 80s finish. There are beats to be enjoyed on 'Blues 909', but you've never heard the totemic techno machine sound as smooth and mellow as it does right here.

Review: Classic album gets it's first issue on vinyl limited to 500 only copies !

Review: Longtime stadium dance act Faithless are back with a new album that draws on many years' experience, but also advancing years, to cook up something spiritual and trance inducing. Maxi Jazz, the famous frontman, doesn't feature, but Sister Bliss does a fine job of soulful house, squelchy techno and plenty on between. It is a record chock full of collaborations with the likes of Suzie Breaks and Damien Jurado and Nathan Ball and will keep old ravers happy as well as entice some new ones to a more refined sound. There are sing along late night grooves like 'I Need Someone' but also lush ambient interludes such as 'What Shall I Do.'

Review: The first instalment of this compilation series was, as expected, a huge success. Now, label head and cherished Balearic boss Paul "Mudd" Murphy has put together a second selection that is filled with a lady more alluring jams. This one takes in a mix of new cuts as well as unreleased archive material from extended family and even some never-heard-before remixes. From the bliss of 'Norway Storms' to the languid electric guitar solos of 'Brillo De Luna' this is another perfectly horizontal album. What's more, on top of the impeccable music selections, check out that stunning cover artwork by Jim Woodring, a legendary illustrator and underground comic book artist.

Review: Emotional Rescue follow up on the excellent first instalment of reissue material from International Noise Orchestra with this second round of visionary curios from the late '80s. The 'Instrumental Muezzin' mix of 'Gimme More Lovin' comes on like Art Of Noise rocking hard at a slow tempo, all Fairlight flex and more plush digi-synth tones than you can shake a shoulder pad at. 'Yeh Naina Yaa Hai' points to the outernational focus of the group with its canny fusion of Indian musical tropes with electronics, all framing Asha Bhosle's peerless vocal. 'Sick Of Love' works wonders with angular time signature explorations and another plunderphonic funk freakout, while 'A Lulu A Bobe Danz' gets into even more virtuoso kitsch deviations. 'Listen To The Earthbeat / The Driving Force' finishes the set with a compelling rhythmic workout accented by underwater surrealism.

Review: Here comes the first sampler, all part of Leng Records' 10th Anniversary celebrations. It marks the cultured label's 50th release and precedes a special compilation of overlooked favourites, classics and unreleased material. This one is well worth your attention though, beforehand. Phenomenal Handclap Band founder Quinn Luke with his longtime pal Alexis Georgopoulos combine as Q&A for the first two tracks, with Lex providing the third and fourth, all proving to be seductive, slow motion Balearic groovers for grown up movers. Q&A's 'Pulse' is a future groove, Lex's 'Max Pen' is a cheery number with lush squelchy bass and skyward chords, while the latter's closing offering 'GP Score' brings a little more energy.

Review: Danse Cette Zik is a debut album by Parbleu, an enigmatic group who craft energised fusions of disco, funk, jazz and plenty more including afrobeat, tropical and Latin. On this album they showcase a real breadth and depth that takes in sleepy-eyed soul serenades, mystical melodic chants, and expressive diva enchantments. Pianos and guitars give out rock solos and reggae riffs, cosmic funk flourishes and steamy jungle basslines that all suit a wide rang fo settings from the club to the pub, a cruise on the med to a late night on the beach. Kinetic yet cinematic, it is a fantastic work.

Review: A couple of years ago French crate digger Charles Bals invited us to "Club Meduse", an imaginary Riviera club where the music was always obscure, European and decidedly mid-80s. Here he opens the doors once more, delivering an open-air friendly soundtrack heavy on rare private press gems, overlooked beauties and the kind of cuts that most would consider Balearic (even if they may have been more popular in Italy and France). Highlights are plentiful, from the eccentric instrumental of Voyage De Charme's fretless bass-powered "Hotel Des Savanes" and the soft-focus, flamenco-tinged bliss of Claude Miss' "Paco Ye Adama", to the sun-kissed jazz-funk/synth-pop fusion of Marc Et Frank's "Cap'tain Coke" and the reggae-zouk quirkiness of Les 36 15's "Zoulous! (Remix)".