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Vahinè is an LP of six emotive, jazz-leaning ambient and experimental tracks as a tribute to the Venetian artist's recently deceased late wife. "I was watching this documentary [about women dancers in Tahiti], it was almost four in the morning, but I couldn't sleep," said Masin. "I was in front of the television for hours, my wife had passed away the day before, and I was watching hands and arms swaying. I told myself that maybe at the end of the road it's possible to realise dreams, and I'm sure that she's finally able to dance like never before, and is able to move without any impediment, with no suffering, free to make all the movements that she couldn't make for so long, turning to me with a smile and a wink." An exquisite LP.
Other Lands aka Gavin L. Sutherland delivers a stunning second LP with long-time pals Athens Of The North. Gavin's concept was to create something that worked equally in the wilds of the Western Isles and in the sunnier spots of the world that we often yearn for. In playing with the idea of groups of islands, of archipelagos the world over, it became about people experiencing isolation individually, while still feeling a sense of community with those of shared experience. Using synths, drum machines and layered loops and tones, the result is a beautiful, spontaneous, timeless and honest meditation on what it is to be at once both alone and part of a larger whole.
Despite the universal imposition of lockdown, DJ Harvey's Mercury Rising nights have made a lasting impression on one particular Ibizan hideaway - the world-renowned rock n' roll themed hotel, Pikes, a favourite of Ibiza titans Fatboy Slim and Patrick Topping. To keep the spark of this monthly party alive, Harvey launched his 'Mercury Rising' compilations, putting only the best of Ibiza's Balearic talents on display. The third and final volume is another impressive array; odysseys of aquatic, twanging sounds come from all corners of the globe. Worth the price of entry just for the dubbed-out and string-laden edit of 'Love And Happiness'... Very, very nice!
As with its predecessor, DJ Harvey's second outing offers a giddy skip through the dustier corners of his notoriously eclectic and off-kilter record selection. He offers up chiming, synth-heavy Balearic classics (Mandy Smith, Hugh Mane), wacky Euro-disco (Marta Acuna), evocative electronic soundscapes (System Olympia), blue-eyed synth-pop (Pamela Nivens), drum machine-powered Middle Eastern madness (Switchdance's sublime "Arabian Ride") and a swathe of tasty contemporary cuts (Aus's jazz-funk unit Midlife, Das Komplex's ace "Slap", Nu Guinea's splendid "Je Vulesse" and Peaking Lights remix of Land of Light being the highlights). TIP!
The second round of Man Jumping remixes on Emotional Rescue sees another strike force of big hitters tackling the illustrious material from an overlooked 80s curio. Bullion steps up first with a typically dynamic, many-sided version of "In The Jungle". Reckonwrong's take on "Sqeezi" channels his twee, off-kilter pop tendencies in brilliant fashion. Gengahr brings a touch of indie urgency to "Down The Locale", while Bullion returns for another fantastic remix on "Walk On, Bye". To close, William Doyle's angular guitar processing and surging, vibrant peaks bring a thrilling new slant to "Belle Dux On The Beach".
Balearic lords Claremont 56 give us an early Christmas present with these two cuts from Detroit DJ and producer Blair French.On the A, 'Sandbar Caviar' wafts and sways with island waves as gentle arpeggios ebb and flow, creating harmonies and cosmic textures. On the flip, 'Inland Island' adjusts our seats to a horizontal position with its snaking bassline and spacious percussion gradually opening into a heavenly vocal and guitar lead that's tantamount to transcendental. Strictly 300, no sleepy!
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