Ibiza is now open for business. Borders have reopened, commercial flights are landing and the first international tourists have arrived without incident. So far, so good.
Island businesses including bars, hotels and restaurants continue to announce restart dates under social-distancing conditions.
Although the evolution of the pandemic continues to move in a positive direction on the Balearics, sadly proper dance floors are not set for an immediate return. Therefore it's more important than ever that we use our platform to showcase the amazing music being produced.
This month's feature is a full selection of cross-genre tracks that can be appreciated in a variety of settings.
Gene Farris | Popular | Spinnin' Deep | 22 June
Let's start with a serious mover. Love or hate, we know when some tracks are going to blow up the instant we hear them. Following recent forays on Toolroom and dirtybird, Chicago player Gene Farris returns with another dance floor shaker.
Teaming up with Dutch hit factory Spinnin', we can imagine this repetitive vocal and devastating drop sending crowds crazy. Sadly, imagine is all we can do at this point.
MYRY | Stuck In A Loop (Molly Mouse & Jett Polo Remix) | Lyricom | 26 June
Something to tug at your emotions next. Our remixers take the tender original and give it a gloss of summer optimism, which itself feels like a fitting analogy of 2020. You can catch Molly Mouse's HotBed pals, including Alex Ellenger and Parris, at O Beach from 1 July.
Trance Wax | Manaya | Anjunabeats | 26 June
Under his Trance Wax pseudonym, Garry McCartney's edits and mixes have brought classic anthems up-to-date and presented in a new light. Old school nostalgia with contemporary credibility. Finally, he has produced his first original under this moniker. An Anjunabeat whooper!
Jayda G | Both Of Us (Sunset Bliss Mix) | Ninja Tune | 5 June
Jayda G returns to Ninja Tune channelling soul energy. Playful keys, lipsweet vocals and a memorable breakdown, Both Of Us is a piece of music calling for brighter days. Naturally, it's the higher tempo Sunset Bliss mix that's putting a spring in our step.
박혜진 | Like This | Ninja Tune | 26 June
We can't recall any period where Ninja Tune hasn't enthralled us. The label consistently releases music of the highest standard and originality. Bucking tradition, we feature another of its tracks in this month's chart. Two on the spin - unheard of. We don't make the rules, we just break them.
If you enjoyed the Korean vocal of Peggy Gou's 2018 Ninja Tune hit Itgehane, then we think you'll love this too. Park Hye-jin is the artist in question here. We look forward to hearing more of her work.
Becky Hill | Heaven On My Mind | Polydor | 25 June
Halfway through this month's chart and we're going widescreen. Penned by MNEK and produced by Sigala, Heaven On My Mind is the latest offering from Gen-Z pop star Becky Hill. We think this will sound great poolside at Ibiza Rocks. What about you?
Harriet Jaxxon | The Sound | Drum&BassArena | 12 June
Back in 2019, Harriet Jaxxon was amongst a list of fledglings we touted as Ibiza debutants to keep your eye on. Later in the summer, the D&B starlet seized her appearances at Together firmly with both hands. Now she's ready to release her debut single.
Classically trained, with a diploma in music production, and born into a family of musicians, Harriet has the world at her feet. Drum and bass has found its newest superstar.
Jono Stephenson | Arctic Safari | SMTC Underground | 29 June
It's that time of year when labels showcase the talent on their books. Our next pick comes from a V/A compiled by SMTC Underground. Hailing from Cape Town, South Africa, Jono Stephenson makes his debut on the label with Arctic Safari. Like this? There's a solo release in the pipeline.
Chloe x Halle | Ungodly Hour | Columbia | 12 June
Are you looking forward to Disclosure's new album? Silly question. To tide us over until August when Energy is out, check out this Disclosure-produced R&B jam. Guy and Howard's unmistakable bounce is lifted by Chloe and Halle's heavenly vocals.
Ungodly Hour is taken from the sister act's debut album of the same name.
Jamie Jones | The Arp | Non Profit Label | 21 June
We end on a cause that's very close to our hearts. 100% of profits from Non For Profit's The Giving Compilation will be donated to Food For Ibiza. The island charity provides much needed support to families living below the poverty line.
Co-organiser Stephane Ghenacia had this to say: “We have seen and felt the struggles of many in the face of Coronavirus and the effects it will have. When I was approached about this project there was no hesitation to be involved. This beautiful island has given us so much and I'm always looking for ways to give back. We're really pleased with how many figureheads came forward to donate for this much needed initiative.”
In total, 90 tracks have been supplied with some huge industry names found on the track list. These include Solomun, Sven Väth and Kerri Chandler.
2020 was shaping up to be a colossal year on Ibiza for Jamie Jones, so his contribution gets our nod. Ah, what could have been… we know JJ and the Paradise crew will have plenty of pent up energy to unleash once the time comes. You can purchase the release here.
We'll be back at the start of August with our highlights from this month.
