Ibiza is too often represented by TV-advertised compilations of the same cheesy anthems recycled every year. Sure, that side exists but, meanwhile, the next developments in electronic dance music are being refined and road-tested in clubs which, while still playing host to scenes of unbridled hedonism, present DJs bent on taking the music into the future with often jaw-dropping skill. Using latest technology, cutting edge tracks are woven into dancefloor cruise missiles with mayhem still in mind but, as illustrated by the two masters captured at work here, delivered with often stunning subtlety and invention.
Cocoon was started in Ibiza 10 years ago by veteran German DJ-producer Sven Vath, becoming the wildest, most magical club on the island, bolstered by its sister label. Every year, it releases a compilation of tunes which rocked its punters that season but, to mark its first decade, the club has engaged two of its favourite DJs to each construct a CD which captures the night’s unique buzz with tunes both old and new. Dubfire, once half of house titans Deep Dish, sets the mood with Basic Channel’s 1995 classic Mutism, before taking off on a seamless controlled explosion of minimal techno, while Loco Dice presents a sublime selection of diverse house music, from deep to twisted. Turntable science, 2110 style.
