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Ibiznor
We’ve all felt it, sunrise or sunset, watching waves lap under the pinky blue hues and crimson cloudscapes on sandy beaches, egged towards our own utopias by the rhythmic drumming of a beach bar sound system. Coming down, going up or falling asleep to the dusted 45s of DJs - some old enough to be our dads - that soulful Ibizan, (Spanish, Grecian, Miami, Thai... etc) magic thrives among all generations. Piano-led or electronica ambient, whether ringing out of the hills of San Jose, inside The Big Chill Bar or, this year, in the green valley at The Big Chill festival, it’s spiritual, sometimes it’s called Balearic. And we love it.With several beach DJ specialists on the bill, we ask, will the soulful sunshine vibe be strong in the Eastnor area?
JOSE PADILLA, aka the king of Ibizan chill, prolific compilation compiler and the face of beach bar sunsets shares his love of chocolate…
Talk us through a day in the life of Jose Padilla.
When I'm not travelling, I’ll get up, have a cup of tea and a swim, walk the dog, check the post and listen to a lot of music, then maybe watch a movie before bed.
Where's home? I live in the countryside in Ibiza near San Rafael, in an old villa with four cats and a dog.
In your opinion, when was Ibiza at its most fascinating, creative peak?
Maybe the 60s for many, but for me it was the 70s and early-90s, I can't remember the 80s!
What's Ibiza 2006 shaping up to be like?
Absolute disaster - more cars, more motorways, and more fucking tourists - but you're all welcome !
Of all your compilations, which do you still enjoy?
Right now, it's the latest one - Cafe Solo.
It'll be your first time at The Big Chill do you have any preconceptions of it?
I've heard it's fantastic, circumstances have always prevented me from coming before, so I'm really looking forward to it.
What can we expect in your set, any Balearic classics!
Of course, a few, Balearic lovers won't be disappointed.
Hoping to catch any of the acts?
There is so much good music, but I'd say Coldcut and Sebastian Tellier in particular.
I bet you enjoy good food. Of these new stalls coming to the Big Chill this year, which might you check out?
Essex Pig Company - rare breed pork.
Goan Seafood Company - fresh fish daily from Cornwall
Choc Star - gourmet mobile chocolate bar
Fabulous Chips Delicious
Mmmm, seafood and chocolate for me.
ROB DA BANK, erstwhile Big Chill regular guest DJ, with a new Sunday evening slot at Radio 1 starting soon, shares his passion for sambucas...
What are you up to at the moment? Eating a sweet potato listening to my little boy Arlo gurgling in his sleep and wondering why there’s a flood outside, it’s summer!
Still enjoy DJing in Ibiza?
Yeah I'm doing a Sunday Best residency at Flower Power this year which is great. It’s a hippy night that's been running since 1965 with the same one DJ, Piti! I just did the first one with Alfredo and it was great. Alfredo played 'Snap', which you can only do in Ibiza.
What's so special about the Ibizan vibe.
Anything goes. Musically it's the free-est place to play, whether you’re playing Elton John or German minimal techno, it all seems to make sense. The cliché of the pilled-up British beer boy ruling Ibiza is hugely exaggerated and the Brits are actually quite hard to find! Italians, Germans and Spanish are definitely the biggest ravers out there!
Could it ever be emulated by the likes of yourself, Jose Padilla, Lenny Ibizarre, Chris Coco and Pathaan at Eastnor?!
Hmm, Im sure Jose and Lenny will play faultless Balearic sets, but no doubt I’ll have one too many sambucas and go off on every tangent under the sun. Hang on, maybe that's the definition of Balearic!
What's your top Balearic tune of old, and of this year?
Stop Bajon - Primavera from back in the day (days before I was even born) when European pop music had a certain magic to it without even trying. Peter Bjorn and John's new record remixed by Beyond The Wizards Sleeve is the most Balearic record this week for sure, proving that you can have whistling in a record without being Bob Sinclar.
Describe Seb Tellier’s La Ritournelle in three words.
Heavenly piano magic.
SEBASTIEN TELLIER, the French producer who had that hit (with its 3mins 56 sec intro of Tony Allen Afro-beatin' along to a beautiful string and piano arrangement then BAM! Seb's vocal)...
Did you have an inkling that La Ritournelle was going to be such a huge smash? It's true that when I finished writing La Ritournelle I invited all my friends home to listen to it because I felt I had really written something special.
Who's it about?
My first love ever, a Turkish girl from Geneva named Maya.
It's proper Balearic piano genius! Did you grow up loving Balearic music?
I never really listened to Balearic music. The more time goes on the more convinced I get that positive music written for pure pleasure is the only music worth making.
Did you tour Ibiza last year, or plan to?
Non I didn't play Ibiza and have no plans to get there yet. But my favourite place in the world is Formentura island, just off Ibiza.
Do you think France could do with something like The Big Chill?!
In France, the only places to listen to chill music are hotel halls!
CHRIS COCO, who's currently on tour with Robbie Williams ...
What are you up to at the moment?
I’m in the middle of a European tour with Robbie Williams. I am providing the DJ element in his live show and doing the support warm up at some shows too.
You like Ibiza, what's so special about it's vibe? Oh, you know, the sense of freedom, the lack of clothes, the heat, the sand, the babes, and the Balearic sensibility that means you can roam all over the place (musically).
Still DJ in Ibiza much. Where do you enjoy playing there?
Well because of the tour, not this year, though I still love the place and am planning a brief trip in September. The best thing is playing the sunset cafes (Cafe Del Mar, Mambo) and Sa Trincha beach in the afternoons with my bessie mate Jon Sa Trincha.
What's your top Balearic tune of old, and of this year?
William Pitt's 'City Lights' is still up there in the oldies category. A new one for this year? Um, how about 'Sometimes I Feel So Lonely' by Primal Scream or Boards Of Canada's 'Dayvan Cowboy'?
Might you, Jose Padilla, Lenny Ibizarre and Rob da Bank recreate Ibiza at Eastnor?!
Oh yes, for sure, it's something that gets ingrained in your psyche and as soon as the sun comes out you're there. Eastnor has a very similar free, loving, lovely vibe to a good day in Ibiza anyhow, so we'll definitely get there.
And lastly, LENNY IBIZARRE who really knows a thing or two about The White Isle...Talk us through your life on the island of Ibiza.
I’ve been here for 15 years, I ran away from home with a 303 at 17. I live on a mountain here, I never had TV or radio, so when ever I go somewhere all the music is fresh. People tend to think that I present the north of Ibiza, for the alternative crowd. I love the north and these are my kind of people. These days I enjoy early retirement at my fruit plantation near Benirras beach.
Is your life all sun, sea, seafood and drumming at sunset!
Well there's that of course, it's the reason we all live here in the north, but you've left out boat trips, full-calibre parties, free-love orgies, exotic substances from afar, unbeknown to modern man.
Has the Ibizan spirit changed over the years?
Relative to the changes in the world I would say that nothing has changed as far as the spirit is concerned. It lives from the people that love and cherish this island.
Looking forward to The Big Chill?
It ain’t the first but I am SURE its going to be my best. Can't wait really, its been forever, looking forward to flipping a can with Pete, its been five years now!
What will you be playing?
I will tell you now that I'll be playing "Balearic" stuff, but then I'll get wasted with Jose, Rob and Chris, and then there'll be no telling...
Is it possible to recreate a Balearic vibe in the English countryside?
Well, first I have to define what Balearic means, don't I know? (HELP!!!!). Ok, this time I'll say it like this: if you can get the feeling that you are lighter than a feather and all burdens slip of your shoulders as you take to the rhythm then I would say that you're there; wherever you are really. This happens regularly at The Big Chill!
Thanks all, see you in Ibiznor!!!
Written: 12th Jul, 06
Read: 4956 times
