With the season that never was drawing out to a close this past month, we were ready to put the ghosts of 2020 to bed and focus on a brighter future.
2020 still had one body blow to deliver however, as we learned of the passing of pioneering DJ José Padilla. Both the island and the arts have much to thank José for and his loss will be felt.
The Sunset Strip as it exists today is unimaginable without the seeds that he sowed in the early ‘90s. In taking the Balearic Beat philosophy being pushed in the clubs and applying it to a downtempo setting, he created a new genre of music quite organically.
With this month's release feature, we raise a glass to José and his legacy and thank him for the memories. It won't be the last time.
Magdalena | Lifelines | Bedrock Records | 23 October
Earlier this month, we shared the video to Home, the lead track from Solomun's new album. Well, he hasn't been the only one keeping busy in the studio. Little sister Magdalena has also been working hard. The results of which are this well-crafted EP on John Digweed's Bedrock.
Lifelines is a moody cut that utilises organ chords and a rolling kick to get you dancing in the shadows. We certainly missed Maggie weaving her witchcraft at venues like Cova Santa & Benimussa Park this summer.
DJ Q | All That I Could | Local Action | 28 October
Known for his high-energy sets of bassline, grime and speed garage at Ibiza Rocks, DJ Q makes a long overdue return to the studio. All That I Could is a soulful UKG jam that impresses just how much of a staple he's been to the scene. It's the first of several outings planned on Local Action.
Caruana | Quarantine | Saved Records | 9 October
October saw Saved Records drop its latest V/A, Collection I. Amongst tracks from the likes of Ki Creighton, Siege and Davina Moss, was this tech house bullet from Caruana. The title is clearly inspired by recent events. Put on repeat to help while away the hours in isolation.
“Got no nine to five, we've got no nine to five.”
Jay Funk | Musica (Charlie's Uncle Remix) | Ulybug | 23 October
We return to our beloved White Isle with our next track. Resident Jonathan Ulysses' Ulybug label is intent on dragging summer out with this house number full of sun-baked positivity. Former Bar M (Ibiza Rocks Bar) resident Charlie's Uncle provides the remix to Jay Funk.
Fur Coat | Rebirth | Renaissance | 16 October
New music from Venezuelan two-piece Fur Coat always excites us, so the prospect of a full LP of material was well received. Everything about Sergio and Israel's second album moves us, but Rebirth is a clear highlight.
The roots of this track can surely be traced back to early ‘90s trance. Just give us a club to experience it in! Polyphony is out now on Renaissance.
Father & Son | You Got It | Toolroom Trax | 23 October
Playing the generation game, the suitably named Father & Son debut on Toolroom's sub-label. This act only recently flew onto Mark Knight's radar, but were instantly signed with this production full of old school house appeal.
Ibiza veterans may already be familiar with 'Father' under his enigmatic Snakeman guise.
Kellie Allen & Kreature | Geeta | PIV | 26 October
The deep-tech champions behind PIV are reflecting on 5 years of minimal grooves with an anniversary V/A. Contributors include DJOKO, Toman and label head Chris Stussy, but we've plumped for the entry by Ibiza Global Radio presenter Kellie Allen and Kreature.
Mason Maynard & Green Velvet | Propane | Universal Island | 30 October
One of the most distinct voices in house music teams with Manc upstart Mason Maynard on our next entry. Most things Green Velvet touches turns to gold and this collab is no different. Combustible dance floor obliteration.
Kidnap | Silence | Anjunadeep | 6 October
Taking inspiration from Han Zimmer's rousing Inception soundtrack perhaps, Kidnap makes a big impact return to Anjunadeep. It has been a solid month for the deep house imprint, during which time it also released Cristoph's 2020 update of Big H.
Both are classy releases, but this emotion-tugger pips it.
Close your eyes and prepare to go deeper.
Max Cooper | Spike | Mesh | 30 October
Nutty professor Max Cooper is an artist who's always pushing boundaries. The Northern Irishman occupies a niche intersection between electronic music, visual art and science. Ahead of his new A/V show, VOID, he's at it again.
Originally released on wax in August, the Earth EP gets a digital reissue, while single Spike gets the visualiser treatment courtesy of conceptualist Yoshi Sodeoka. The result is this “audio-reactive generation using a technique called reaction diffusion”.
Both cool and nerdy at the same time.
We'll be back at the start of December with our highlights from this month.
