Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy broadcast the 163rd episode of Balearic Breakfast on her Mixcloud on February 6th 2024. About this show. – Sometimes things don't go as planned. And, believe me, I will always be the first to try to be helpful when such situations occur. Firstly, we're all humans; we can make mistakes, and it's okay to make mistakes. It's part of life. Secondly, way too often, I have seen fingers pointing at me when I failed to do a task I ought to do, leading to an unbelievable amount of criticism and anger, leading to crises. Remember, when something does not work out as planned, the first thing to do, even if you're managing people, is to understand what happened. What is done is done, and your anger, your shouting or your reproaches won't help the matter (plus, you'll be adding unnecessary pressure to the already tense situation...). So, first, take the time to analyse what happened, why it happened, and maybe that's something that can be fixed easily for next time. By understanding our mistakes or helping others who did them to understand what happened, we can move on and improve ourselves. Of course, if you're a manager and you feel this should not have happened, you have the right to take decisions afterwards, with an objective mindset. But anger or shouting won't help the case, so show some calmness and understanding. It will add motivation, discussion and improvement, eluding exhausting anger and any other unwanted feelings between you and those you're working with. Simply be objective; that's really Enough. As a teacher once told me, "Only those who do nothing never make mistakes". We were all eagerly waiting for that 162nd episode because we knew Colleen was going to stream Bert's and DJ Emma's mixes. Sadly, Colleen couldn't stream these two due to technical difficulties, so we listened to the previous show on Mixcloud, supporting Colleen, who felt terrible about what had just happened. And we all stayed with our dear Captain, supporting her. Shit can happen, but you always must put into balance why things happen; that's the first thing to do before anything else may eventually come into play. Believe me, streaming Balearic Breakfast away from home while on tour in a different time zone is not easy (and Mixcloud can be tricky, too, it seems!): our dear Captain just did that for a whole month (I couldn't stop the lion cub from jumping into your arms Colleen, sorry!)... So, once our sadness left our hearts, we cheered our dear Captain up and stayed all together on Mixcloud, enjoying the previous show (while Eagerly waiting for Colleen to put Bert's and Emma's Mix on Mixcloud!) and having a Memorable Chinwag. All I can say is that Bert's and DJ_Emma's mixes were absolutely worth waiting for. These two mixes are among the sexiest and the coolest mixes ever streamed we got to hear through our Family Meetings. What an incredible way to end this first series of Family Gatherings! So, without further ado, let's hear this 162nd episode of Balearic Breakfast as it was meant to be!! Listen back to the 163rd episode of Balearic Breakfast: PLAYLIST Bert François' Mix Jean Carn – Revelation / Infant Eyes Millie Jackson – A Love of Your Own Phyllis Hyman – The Love Too Good to Last Webster Lewis – Give Me Some Emotion Sidney Barnes – Your Love Is So Good to Me Dionne Warwick – You're Gonna Need Me Eramus Hall – Just Me 'n' You The Love Unlimited Orchestra – Strange Games & Things Scott Grooves ft. Chris Codish – Organ Nights Hayden Andre presents Subculture – The Voyage (Hayden Andre Deep Mix) Indigo ft. Joy Malcolm – Fly to the Moon (Mood II Swing Remix) DJ_Emma's mix Peter Brown – Without Love As Ganhadeiras de Itapua – Mare Mansa Quincy Jones – Summer in the City (Old Smokey Edit) Terry Callier – Imagine a Nation Mel & Tim – Keep the Faith Psychemajik – Your Love Was Meant For Me Tina Turner – I Can't Stand the Rain Pino D'Angio – Ma Quale Idea Alex Kassian – Leave Your Life Laura Green – Manhattan (Horse Meat Disco) Black Lodge – Broughton David Bendeth – Feel the Real Brittany Howard – Stay High ASHA – Ball & Chain (JJ Tribute) (LG Giobbi Remix) THE LISTENING EXPERIENCE Starting his set with the very Jazzy Jean Carn – Revelation / Infant Eyes [1978-Discogs], Bert is going to take us through one of the most sensual, one of the sexiest (I'm not ashamed of that word here) mixes we ever had the pleasure to listen to during these Family Gatherings (to read the interview I did with Bert, click here). The sexiness starts with the great Millie Jackson's – A Love of Your Own [1976-Discogs]; a song which was written by the Average White band and first released in July 1976. By the way, did you hear that beautiful and light mix Bert proposed here? It's not the last time that you're going to feel Bert's sensual touch during this mix, let me tell that to you right away! This mix depicts so perfectly a sensual evening shared by the couple of your choice; just close your eyes, and you'll see the moves, the closeness, and the desire pouring out of the love these two individuals share tonight on the screen of your inner desires... Enters, with a nice discretion, Phyllis Hyman – The Love Too Good to Last [1981-Discogs] showing that sometimes the perfect touch is not the ever-lasting one but the one swaying on your body just like an oceanic wave, slowly leading you to your most unmentionable desires... This very song was written by Peter Allen, Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager and was first sung by the Pointer Sisters on their 1980 Special Things album. The groove is good, the groove is here, and it is led by a man knowing a lot about Music and Love, for sure! Bert knows how to keep the rhythm on; he's a personified groove, and his beat will never let you down; listen to how beautifully Webster Lewis – Give Me Some Emotion [1979-Discogs] enters the mix! This song was composed by Webster and covered by Merry Clayton as "Emotions" in 1980. The swayin' is definitely on as Sidney Barnes – Your Love is So Good to Me [1978-Discogs] starts, and it ain't gonna stop so soon. Bert's mix will focus on this love affair for 3/4 of its running time, which is quite unusual here on Balearic Breakfast, as the mixes are often divided into two even parts. So it's nice to have a mix that takes that slight departure from this structure, especially when you take into account how Bert ends it... But we're going to talk about it later, as, for the time being, Bert keeps on making us dance to the slow and oh-so-sexy rhythm! I love how Bert joins the previous track with Dionne Warwick – You're Gonna Need Me [1973-Discogs], in what we could call a "musical" "Fil d'Arianne" which keeps on leading us with Eramus Hall – Just Me 'n' You [1980-Discogs]! Did you know that the song "You're Gonna Need Me" was composed and produced by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier & Eddie Holland, the three of them being responsible for Countless Motown hits including "Reach Out I'll Be There" or even "Where Did Our Love Go"? Another interesting fact you might not know about is that Lamont Dozier was invited by Claude François to France in the 1970s when he released "Going Back to My Roots"! They actually sang several songs together live for a French TV show! We gently reached the second part of Bert's mix, and he shows no sign of slowing down the sexy, very playful dance! Talking about the playful dance, the next number (a cover of "Strange Funky Games and Things" by Jay Dee issued on his beautifully sounding 1974 "Come on in Love" album, produced by Barry White and Tom Brock!) The Love Unlimited Orchestra – Strange Games & Things [1976-Discogs] slightly changes the rhythm, but that change is very soft and playful, almost acting like some kind of "mistake" in the course of the mix, an unexpected touch on an almost forgotten area, so well done! A perfect mix is a mix that surprises you, a mix in which you allow yourself to sway, a mix that shows some kind of vulnerability, bringing images to your mind, and Bert's mix exactly does that here! Slowly bringing in the next track, Scott Grooves ft. Chris Codish – Organ Nights [2000-Discogs], Bert keeps the surprise element of his mix very alive; we're suspended to his magic fingers, and we really can't get enough! What a musical taste Berts shows to us tonight! The last 15 minutes or so of Bert's mix will be more groovy. Still, the tracks he chose to share here, despite their quicker rhythm, do share a very high degree of sexiness, perfectly showcasing that a track can be quicker but still bring sexiness to the forefront! Bert is not the one who will show off as he keeps his delicate touch perfectly on the beat for the next number, Hayden Andre presents Subculture – The Voyage (Hayden Andre Deep Mix) [1991-Discogs]! The last song, Indigo ft. Joy Malcolm – Fly to the Moon (Mood II Swing Remix) [1995-Discogs] enters the mix with a slight precipitation enhanced by its somewhat "abrupt" start, but it has that "openness" that really suits the whole vibe very well! DJ Emma is a favourite of mine. I love her soft voice, her broad musical taste and her joyfulness when she's surrounded by musical friends! You might not know it, but she is the one whom I wanted to interview the first when this blog was only a dream! And I made this dream come true (read the interview we did together here)... DJ Emma's mix is a perfect example of a woman doing her thing and reaching beautiful heights (she's not afraid of them...), thanks to her gentleness and also thanks to her great ear! The first two tracks, which are Peter Brown – Without Love [1978-Discogs] and As Ganhadeiras de Itapua – Mare Mansa [2014-Bandcamp], pair so well together... It's like a living painting animating itself in front of your eyes; listen to the beautiful closeness of the notes these two tracks share! Keeping the rhythm balancing, Emma chooses to play Quincy Jones – Summer in the City (Old Smokey Edit) [Bandcamp]; here, the mix allies both the closeness of the music and of the rhythm, the living painting keeps on moving in front of our eyes whilst we're being taken out of reality in this beautiful musical trip... It takes a great deal of Knowledge to be a good DJ, and Emma has that without a shadow of a doubt! We're drawn into a new chapter of our adventure, I just think about it now, as I write these lines, but this mix resembles a lot to a track Emma issued not so long ago, Bliss... Terry Callier – Imagine a Nation [2002-Bandcamp] is an incredible trip, taken from Callier's 2002 "Speak your peace" studio album; beautifully followed by Mel & Tim – Keep the Faith [1973-Discogs], a cover of Mark James's song released in April 1973 on his self-titled album, that also got covered by the great Lou Rawls later in 1974 on his "She's Gone" studio album! The second half of Emma's mix will take us into a more groovy side of things, but I can assure you that the Wow effect this mix is, will not diminish at all. You're going to be Wowed people, I can guarantee you that and I hope you feel the groove this mix really is... Did you hear how Emma chose to blend “Keep the Faith” with Psychemajik – Your Love Was Meant For Me [2017-Bandcamp], allowing her to step up the rhythm just a tiny bit? And aren't you on your knees just when Tina Turner – I Can't Stand the Rain [1984-Discogs] enters the mix?! Yeah, I know you now understand why I told you these two mixes were the sexiest we ever got to hear during these Family gatherings (laughs)! You're also now keen to understand why I was saying that Emma was reaching Heights, oh my beloved risky DJ, you're Shining here!! Words can not express the magic a true DJ is able to create. You're Wowed, and so am I; everything is OK... By the way, "I Can't stand the Rain" was originally recorded by Ann Peebles in 1973, ranking at 197 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, and was very famously covered by Eruption on their 1979 studio album "Leae a light" which contained over covers of well-known songs such as "One way Ticket" or "I'll leave a light in my window"! Let's Dance as Pino D'Angio – Ma Quale Idea [1981-Discogs] enters the mix (click here to read a great interview with Pino d'Angio)! Keeping the rhythm perfectly steady, Emma then lets Alex Kassian – Leave Your Life [2021-Discogs], based on a sample of YES ‘Owner of a Lonely Heart’, present itself with a musical naturality that's not to be explained anymore here (laughs)! As Laura Green – Manhattan (Horse Meat Disco) [2009-Bandcamp] arrives in the mix with a nice solidity to it (the original song is from 1979), it seems we're flying, aren't we?! Keeping a steady Rhythm with David Bendeth – Feel the Real [1979-Discogs], the song was initially intended to be an instrumental only; Emma is going to take us to an absolutely ecstatic state of mind to end her mix, firstly by gently slowing down the rhythm with Brittany Howard – Stay High [2019-Bandcamp] and then by reaching eternity with the mindblowing ASHA – Ball & Chain (JJ Tribute) (LG Giobbi Remix) [2021-Beatport], which beautifully uses Janis Joplin's vocals from a live show she gave in 1972... Did we just meet at the other side of this painting hanging on that Balearic Wall?...

Matt, like a lot of us, has been there from the very start. I was happy we got to discover more about him through his mix! I met the "I'm no DJ" guy, and we had a fantastic chat! 1) Hello Matt! I’m thrilled to welcome you to our Home! If I understood things the right way, you used to DJ in the past. Can you tell us more about how that passion started? Thanks for having me, Artur. I only really did a small amount of DJ-ing over 20 years ago when I was a uni student at house parties. I’ve always been passionate about music from a young age. I can remember making my own compilations from the ‘Now that's what I call Music….’ tapes I had, basically just compiling all the dance/hip-hop! I was slightly too young when acid house swept the UK, but I used to love the endless tapes that used to get passed around (Sasha at Shelley's was a big favourite as that was local to me). I also used to listen to a lot of local radio, like the ‘New Dawn’ show on Signal radio. When I went to Uni, I got my own decks and used to love going into town on Mondays and trawling through all the new releases. I think my musical tastes really matured in the 2000s as I started listening to a much wider variety of music. If anything I’ve become more obsessive in the past ten years than ever! 2) How did you feel when Colleen asked you to prepare a mix for Balearic Breakfast? What was the most challenging part of that journey, and how did you get things done? I was really pleased to be asked, my first thought was that I probably couldn’t do it as I’m a little out of practice on the djing side. The most challenging part was technical, just getting the setup working on my Mac, getting it recording etc. (I’m quite a technical person and I know it’s not that hard but it was just being a bit stubborn). The actual mix and song selection came together really quickly; I started with about 40 tunes and just played around to see what was working. I guess working with the range of bpm was also slightly different as I’m used to mixing more 4/4 stuff. Getting it all down to an hour also made me appreciate how hard it must be for Colleen to juggle everything every time she does a show. In the end the actual tune selection came pretty easy and I did the mix in one take. I went from saying ‘maybe’ to Colleen to submitting a finished mix in about three days! 3) We both share the « no dj » label spirituality as I call myself « the record cueer » (laughs)! There are a lot of people starting this musical adventure nowadays, often for bad reasons with mitigated sonic results. According to you, what should a « true » DJ be like both spiritually and technically? It’s weird; I read so many conversations on X and Threads from younger DJs obsessed with BPM, technical mixing and working social media (which I guess is inevitable these days). I think the best DJs are the ones who you know would still be doing it passionately as a hobby even without success because they are just obsessed with the music and the culture. For me, Colleen, Bill Brewster, Luke Una and Tim Sweeney all optimise that (I think of Tim doing his show on student radio for 15+ years). I think true DJs don’t put themselves into narrow lanes musically and don’t get bogged down by trends and formats. They listen and play music across the decades and not just new tunes. There also seems to be an obsession with ‘how can I make this bigger’ instead of ‘how can I make this more intimate’. 4) An active member of the Balearic Breakfast family, your requests are very often “of quality,” if that makes sense (laughs)! How do you listen to music, and, most importantly, how do you keep yourself up to date? I love this question! To be honest, Bandcamp has really started to dominate how I listen to music; it has the perfect blend of social that means you have close contact with the artists/labels and get great recommendations from the people you choose to follow. I love how you can ‘subscribe’ to labels you want to support too. I’m amazed the other music sites haven’t followed their lead. I still use Apple Music a lot to listen to albums, make playlists, share music and go through new releases. I also subscribe to a few people on Patreon, like ‘The Reflex’ to get exclusives; again, it’s great to support those whose work you appreciate. I also listen to a lot of podcasts and radio stations like WWFM, BBC 6Music and NTS. Good music can come from anywhere, though, really - Instagram stories, WhatsApp recommendations, TV shows, etc. I just like to keep my ears open. I’m not really one to be found in the basements of record stores though, I leave that to the true obsessives ;) 5) If you had to choose, let’s say, 3 Balearic Breakfast shows, which would they be and why? Hmm, that's trickier. I think the ones that stick in my mind are… Episode 15 - I think this was the first one I got a request played - Apiento/She Walks, that gave me a real bug for trying to get requests on; Episode 124 - International Woman’s Day Special - I think Colleen did about 4hrs, avoiding filling in her taxes and making sure everyone’s request got played. I asked for Jessie Ware/Remember Where You Are which is one of my favourite tunes from the past 5 years; Episode 127 - Children on the Sun. I think Paul Hilary’s mix truly blew everyone away, he takes digging to a different level. Also, before I go… Having done the mix for BB I’ve really got the bug back for dj-ing and making mixes. I’m gonna try and do at least one every three months and try and do something with the music I spend so much on! So can I plug my Mixcloud page and the first mix I’ve done (which is much housier than the one I did on the show)!

Parbleu! Andres Balbucea and Andrea De Fazio answered a few questions about the band's origins and their latest musical effort, Elios. A sunny musical trip, Indeed! 1. Hello to you, Parbleu, and thank you so much for joining me here on the Balearic Breakfast blog! You issued "Dance cette Zik" in March 2020 amidst a tremendously severe phase of the Covid pandemic when the world was facing lockdowns. The funny lyrics and the musical positivity (including the clever ep's cover - "Parbleu!", a French expression that means "Good Lord!"...) had a great impact on the Balearicans! Can you tell us more about Parbleu's origins and Philosophy? Hello Artur! First of all, Thank you for the interest that led you to exchange a conversation with us about our project and our music. Parbleu was born in March 2020 from our collaboration (Andres and Andrea) in a not-easy time for everyone. We decided to transform those feelings of uncertainty into something positive and original that could renew our happiness and soul. We started sending each other the progress we were making with the compositions from home via email every day, comparing ourselves daily to arrive at a satisfactory synthesis for both of us. The name comes from a joke with Roberto, our friend and musician: we were looking for a cool name without success when he exclaimed, "Parbleu!" almost as if he wanted to make fun of us, and it was right there that we understood that it was the right name for the band... 2. Your latest track (Elios) is so different from "Dance cette Zik". Colleen featured both of them during Balearic Breakfast. Do you feel it's easier to compose a track like "Elios", which is lurking into the Disco Era? We have always been passionate about funk and disco, although we don't like to confine ourselves to a single genre or category. We have the most disparate influences and listening, and indeed, we often like to mix colours to try to arrive at something original done with authenticity. Said with sincerity, the bass line is inspired by the Latin disco world. Specifically, it comes from listening to a record by "The Conga Kings". We decided to synthesize it into a dark disco jam with different contaminations and string instruments contrasting with the acid synths. We hope you like the result! 3. How did you come up with the new album's theme? While we feel that musically, the adventurous journey holds up very well, we can't help but feel the lyrics on the album are somewhat darker... The album's theme Elios is dedicated to a genesis, a new birth, and in particular, the birth of little Elio, Andrea's son, from which we were inspired with our hearts to achieve that feeling. 4. Have you ever thought about the sound you wanted to achieve as a band? When listening to your songs, there is a "soothing" approach to the sound while the rhythm is dead-solid on every track. I can't help but feel a deep "duality" in all that you do. Would you agree, and is that conscious? The dualism, for example, the tight drums and the open, ethereal voice, wasn't intentional. It is the fruit of our collaboration since we both come from similar worlds, yet one of us plays the drums, and the other plays the keyboard and sings. Even though we have these different aspects, we still want to achieve the same outcome. Therefore, we've created this sonorous. This type of sound wasn't necessarily what we were going for, but it was the outcome of our collaboration. This is our way of composing at the moment. In the future, when we'll be in the studio, we'll see what we can create. 5. What can we expect from Parbleu in this coming year? Will you take your music on tour? We will most probably have an EP coming out. At this moment, we need to understand what to do first. We have a lot of new things going on, as well as concerts and growing musically. We will definitely play around Europe and, of course, Italy. We hope to see you when we play! Thank you so much, Parbleu!

When I heard Axnér's "Shoot from the rooftop", I knew I had to ask them a few questions about that song and about their musical duo. Come on, let's meet them! 1) Dea Chris, dear Julia, I am over the Moon to actually have you Here, on the Balearic Breakfast Blog! Your song, "Shout from the rooftop", has received a beautiful blend of re-mixes, and a limited edition vinyl has been produced. Congratulations! Can you tell us more about how the song was originally born? Hi Artur, thanks for having us. The song was the first track that we wrote together - it started life at least five years ago. It’s taken many forms since, with different lyrics and melodies and for a while, we were a little stuck on it. We returned to it after we’d released our first single, ‘Got The Look,’ and something clicked, and it came together a lot easier. The drums were recorded in a session with Ralph Rolle, drummer for Nile Rodgers & Chic, at the same time as Got The Look, and when we thought the track was finally finished, we sent it over to Ralph to see what he thought. A couple of days later, we received it back with some extra vocals from another member of Nile Rodgers & Chic, Audrey Martells, who’d added some amazing backing and ad-libs to the track. We’ve been amazed by the journey this track has taken us on, partnering with some legends of disco from Ralph & Audrey, John Morales & Al Kent, who, along with Kousto, produced great remixes of the track and Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy who, ’s, shown some wonderful support. Limited quantities of the record are still available :-D 2) Colleen played John Morales' M&M Main mix version of the song during the 144th edition of Balearic Breakfast. I remember that this edition was, musically, a special one as it showcased how much "Balearic Music" was not only about the musical style itself but also about the music having a specific "soul". According to you, what makes "Shout from the rooftop" a Balearic Tune? Colleen spinning the track makes it Balearic! We feel honoured Cos included the track in her show, as we’ve listened to it for years and never expected to hear our music featured. It’s connected us to a number of people, including yourself. Radio is still such an important medium for reaching listeners - we prefer it over a Spotify playlist any day. Colleen also launched her new chapter of The Loft Party at the start of December and played our record on the night. This felt really special for us. The New York link has been so strong with this track that we mixed it in Brooklyn; Ralph Rolle & John Morales are from The Bronx & David Mancuso started The Loft Party on Broadway in New York City. Full circle complete! 3) Can you tell us more about your musical journey together? We started making music together after Acid Jazz Records proposed Chris produced some original music under ‘Disco Freaks’, his DJ partnership, after they’d released a couple of remixes on the label. Soon after, Ralph Rolle overheard Julia singing while he was being interviewed on The Disco Freaks Radio Show and offered to drum for us! That was pretty inspiring so we pulled our finger out and got some songs together to demo with him. Lockdown gave us the time to write about ten tracks, ones we’re currently focusing on finishing, and everything’s continued from there. We do have to thank a lot of people who have shared advice and helped along the way. We hope you know who you are, as there are too many to list! We’re very grateful to have creative and talented friends who have worked with us on everything from artwork to photos & videos and the songs themselves. We’re very much independent, co-dependent artists! 4) You did a guest mix for 1btn radio a few weeks ago, showcasing your broad musical tastes, and influences. It also included another stunning track of yours, "Got the Look". There is a great sense of unity in what you propose, musically speaking. Would you say that, in a way, Music extends your human existence, showing you things you weren't aware of in the first place? Music has always been a major part of our life. It’s connected us, family & friends, and we do what we can to keep that connection through the music. As well as Julia & Audrey Martells singing on the track we’ve got Julia’s twin, best friend, Mum & Auntie singing on it so you’re hearing that unity on the record. SETLIST AXNÉR - Shout From The Rooftop (John Morales M+M Acapella Mix) Bosq - Out Of My Head LAZYWAX - Hotel Colomba D’oro AXNÉR - Got The Look (Al Kent’s Feel Good Instrumental Remix) MORE AMOUR - Solar Flair Lenny Williams - When I’m Dancing (Sam Flanagan Remix) Wee Willie - Get Some (Aroop Roy Rework) Prince - 17 Days (Zach Witness Version) Kelly G - Feels Good (Yeah!) (Kelly G. Little Louie Party Mix) AXNÉR - Got The Look (DK’s Super Disco Edit) Jungle - GOOD TIMES (Braxe + Falcon Remix) L’Impératrice - Submarine (Todd Edwards Remix) AXNÉR - Shout From The Rooftop (John Morales M+M Club Mix) Freda Payne - I Get High (On Your Memory) 5) What are your plans for the foreseeable future? Can we expect an album? We’re currently working towards an EP & a live show in May. It’s going to sound a little different. Still rhythmical with plenty of grooves, actually more Balearic in places, which you’ll be happy to hear! Thank you so much, Chris & Julia!

There are names you can't forget. I was absolutely thrilled to be able to chat with Rob Calcutt, who is a dedicated Listener of the show, a great requester and Colleen's friend! Rob has put together a guided, 45-minute journey for Balearic Breakfast listeners, containing all kinds of breathwork and ambient sounds. You can get this at www.urbanhealer.co.uk/balearicbreakfast 1) Hello Rob! So happy to have you here! You've been a longtime listener of the show! Working as a shamanic practitioner, it all makes sense to me! Can you tell us more about your professional practice? I ditched the corporate ladder 15 years ago to provide support to victims of violent crime & terrorism, later moving to prisoner rehabilitation & homeless services. I'm also a shamanic practitioner, which is a thread that began in the Australian outback in 2003. These days I work with misfits and outsiders in the urban jungle, since the queer experience lends itself to this kind of narrative. I offer a range of things from drum/gong journeys to guided visualisation, breathwork, plant medicine ceremonies, tarot readings and other fun stuff, both online and in-person (North London). I’m also a proud cat mother - Fred, since you asked. 🐈‍⬛🤣 2) What is your approach to music? I'm sure you use it in some ways during your professional practice. But, more than that, does your professional practice influence the way you listen to it and the way you Experience it? I'm not a fan of New Age spirituality, so flutes and panpipes aren't really my bag. More Brian Eno and less Clannad, please (no offence, Enya). I sometimes incorporate music in my ceremonies, since they're quite long and cover a dramatic arc. This can include Biosonic tuning forks, singing bowls, shamanic drums, rainsticks, rattles, leaf bundles, tingsha cymbals, an ocean drum and a bull roarer for dramatic effect. It's all about holding space and framing silence, so when I'm working, any musical interventions are to facilitate a natural flow, rather than prescribe a specific mood. On a normal day, anything goes! 3) Do you believe Souls can communicate through music? I have a powerful feeling about what Colleen "sends us" through the way she mixes and the musical choices she makes. There's more than just music in Balearic Breakfast. Does it make sense to you? Complete sense yes. Since conscious listening is about stopping time and coming into the present moment. Giving someone your undivided attention is a rare and meaningful gift in today's world, and there's something about the immediacy and community that translates across Wi-Fi. 4) You must have been appealed by Colleen's aphorism! According to you, what does it really take to "Be Balearic"? I spent a huge portion of the nineties and noughties as a beach slug, passed out listening to Jon Sa Trinxa. Jon's music was always about accessing a flow state and he'd change it up depending on the weather, positioning of the sun, or how nature was responding on a given day. I still love Ibiza despite the horrific Vegas takeover in recent years. Rain or shine, it was always a mood, and Pat Metheny Group's 'Slip Away' never fails to take me back. That old "Balearic" tag is a mutable genre and moving goalpost that reinvents itself every decade – so the jury's out. It’s all about searching for that b-side or vinyl oddity and flexing rigid genre restrictions to blend seamlessly alongside 80s synth-pop, acid folk, early house, flamenco guitar and Bristol trip-hop. Anything Steely Dan wouldn’t do without his fez on, basically! 🤠🙃 ... And YES, you can overthink these things, but isn't that the point? 😜 5) You were featured in the 159th episode of the series; congratulations! Can you tell us more about how you prepared your set and what you wanted to convey? The first thing I did was panic. HOW on Earth was I supposed to curate a setlist of tracks that haven’t already been aired on the show, whilst still making it light and listenable? I guess my secret weapon was an obscure South Korean jazz import from ‘93. I don’t understand a word, but somehow, the sentiment still transmits. Playing ‘jazz’ (a blanket term for depraved Western music, not sanctioned by the state) has been a crime in North Korea since the 50s, so I hope it somehow carried across the border. 🙏 Being a 40-something gay man, I'm also a cliché – so Madonna had to feature. 🤣 It's a good Madge moment, though – I'll let you decide if this lowers the tone! 🤔 It was a pleasure to have you here Rob! Thank you!

Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy broadcast the 160th episode of Balearic Breakfast on her Mixcloud and Twitch TV socials on January 16th 2024. About this show. – This very episode has been a long time coming! But it Happened! As Colleen embarked on what one can call "a proper tour" (she is in Australia), she had to find a way to keep the Balearic Breakfast ship afloat! To do so, she secretly asked several members of our Balearic Breakfast family if they could prepare one-hour mixes she would later stream as she would not be able to present the show away from home. And, as expected, we answered Loudly, with a lot of happiness: YES OF COURSE! Here is what Colleen shared on her socials before heading to the other side of the planet: "I've told you that I’m heading off down under, so you may be wondering what is going to happen to the show? Well, although I shepherd the show and pull it together into something that hopefully resonates, it’s the BB family who choose most of the music and I love the musical conversation. With that in mind, I asked several of our consistent contributors to contribute a one hour mix and I will stream those mixes by hosting Balearic Breakfast on the road. Starting on Tuesday, the 9th January, I’ll stream Balearic Breakfast at the same time -Tuesdays 10 to 12 GMT and hopefully at the same place - on both Mixcloud Live and Twitch TV. We have mixes from Kieran McCann, Lee Zee, DJ Emma, Rob Calcutt, Virginia Tzioti, Matt Raistrick, Susan Chan and Bert Francois. I’ve been listening to the mixes they sent over and its so inspirational as they all have their own vibe and musical bent. I’ll still be on the chat groups too so we can all get together as we listen to the mixes so yes, BB will take a couple of Tuesdays off and then the live streams recommence on the 9th January." Well, things didn't go as originally planned as, on the 9th of January, a technical issue prevented Colleen from streaming the show. It brought a lot of sadness to the Family, but eventually, we stayed Balearic and said to ourselves: "Good times are coming; let's keep the fire burning!". And that's what we all did! Finally, the awaited moment arrived, and we all had a memorable show, listening to 2 great mixes crafted by our friends Rob Calcutt and Virginia Tzioti. I even took the time to ask our friends some questions and published these two nice interviews on the blog. As I always like to say, We are the Biggest Musical Family alive on earth. Laughs! Nota: Rob has put together a guided, 45-minute journey for Balearic Breakfast listeners, containing all kinds of breathwork and ambient sounds. You can get this at www.urbanhealer.co.uk/balearicbreakfast Listen to the 160th episode of Balearic Breakfast: PLAYLIST Rob Calcutt 'Urban Healer' Mix Urban Healer – Day Night and Dawn in the Amazon Fred – Morning Meow Urban Healer – Gong bath The BBC Sound EFX Library – Ambience, Rural Britain, Sea Cliffs and Rocky Shores Mark Knopfler – The Rocks and the Water Amaro Freitas – Rasif Kiefer – Cute Footshooter ft Brother Portrait – Dawn (Buffalo Stance) Idjut Boys – One for Kenny (Extended LP version) Zenit – Waitin' 낯선사람들 – 왜 늘 Madonna – Secret Garden Phavia Kujichagulia – Overdose Christy Essien – Take life Easy Mari Kaneko 金子　マリ – Get to paradise Jolley & Swain – Soul Street (12" extended version) Millie Jackson – Leftovers Opal – Ain't No Way (Special Club mix) Bonnie Pointer – Free Me from my Freedom Virginia Tzioti Mix Ami Shavit – Alpha 1 Vangelis – Tales of the Future Tomislav Simovic – Waste of Emotional Energy (Repeated Viewing Remix) Von Spar – Scotch & Chablis 40 Thieves – The Sandpiper (Pyschemagik Remix) Wink – Higher State of Consciousness (Album Version) Miyako Koda – Butter The Grid – Crystal Clear (Clear Like an Unmuddied Lake Remix by The Orb) Samo – A Certain Ratio The Daou – Surrender Yourself (Album Version) Gala Drop – Overcoat Heat The Phenomenal Handclap Band – You'll Disappear THE LISTENING EXPERIENCE Two mixes, two vibrations, one same tribute to a show and to a person whose humanity brings people together around Music. I couldn't have written that sentence in another way! And you'll very soon discover how much it is all true! Let's bring a global analysis of the two mixes first, it will allow us to dive into them in greater detail afterwards. Rob's mix presents a great unity, both rhythmically and Musically, leading us in an introspective journey. On the other hand, Virginia's mix is more elevated, it has more variations and has a "dreamy", "flying effect" approach. Both mixes are perfect to listen to if, like me, you've been tired of your week and want to escape this world musically. And, as far as the tribute goes, it is obvious, when listening to the mixes, to hear songs that are like winks towards our Musical Captain, Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy. It is one thing to share your microphone with other DJs and other artists, but it is something totally different to lend your show to people who admire what you do and to let them propose mixes of their own. Yes, Colleen embodies what it means to be "Balearic", bringing people together around music; well, to me, that's a pretty "Family affair" thing! Don't you think the same? (laughs!) So, now, let's dive into each mix and let's discover these two absolutely nice, by the way, vibrations that are Rob and Virginia! Starting his mix with a nice presentation, the listener is immediately struck by Rob's ability to propose a "mental movie" to him. I can fully feel that as in my own "edited mixes", I use the same philosophy to structure the story I want to tell! Whenever you add sounds to a mix of your own, whenever you add clearly thought sound effects to songs that are blended together, you expand the possibilities of interpretation; you allow your listener to let himself totally go away. It is what I call a "Musical movie", and it is not often used, I think, by DJs or radio broadcasters. So dear Rob, well done here! The actual Musical adventure starts with Mark Knopfler – The Rocks and the Water [1983 - Discogs]. Very quickly, from the second track on Amaro Freitas – Rasif [2018 - Bandcamp], the listener has a feeling: Rob's beautifully blended tracks do transmit an active willingness to soothe the listener, this feeling being enhanced by the warmth of the sound with somewhat shadowed highs that, nonetheless, show great detail. On a more concrete level, it's interesting to note that these first two tracks do intellectually refer to "homecomings": Rasif refers to a colloquial spelling of Amaro's hometown while "Local Hero" is Mark's first soundtrack solo project out of the Dire Straits, released in 1983... Coming next, the beautifully mixed-in Kiefer – Cute [2019 - Bandcamp] presents a somewhat shinier sonic approach (my feeling being confirmed by this review), still keeping a somewhat enclosed vibe. The relaxation experience is kept intact with the following musical experience, that is Footshooter ft Brother Portrait – Dawn (Buffalo Stance) [2017 - Bandcamp]. We do have the impression of being sucked into a huge space while we feel the sound has, for the first time in the show, a much "snappier" reality. These tracks really showcase the Wow effect of this first mix, which, to me, is the "musical integration". Rob's mixing is precise, as we do not notice the end of one track and the beginning of another one! This is exactly what happens when the incredible Idjut Boys – One for Kenny (Extended LP Version) [2012 - Discogs] starts. In a review of the Idjut Boy's fourth studio effort, one can read this: "The first single, "One for Kenny", is the album's most danceable track, candy disco that moves at the same pace as a comforting lava lamp. Halfway through it eases (there are no sharp movements on Cellar Door) into a gorgeous, jazzy piano line. It feels like someone draped a warm blanket over the track". This mix sure offers comfort! The next song, Zenit – Waitin' [1986 - Discogs], also beautifully mixed to the previous one, keeps on taking us through that unknown journey, Rob clearly showing us here he has no meaning of slowing the trip's tempo down. For your information, Zenit's album, Straight Ahead, from which Waitin' is taken, was recently reissued in 2018. What's great is that you can hear, in each song of Rob's mix, different sonic textures, and different depths, yet you're never distracted from the actual trip because the mixing skills are impeccable, and the general volume of the mix is absolutely perfect, allowing the listener to concentrate on the Music. Without a doubt, it is one of the most homogeneous mixes I ever heard in my life. Furthermore, Waitin' has a similar sound signature to THE BIG BLUE soundtrack, composed by the great Eric Serra, lending us to feel like we've reached our inner sea... There's a Style here; a musical soul is definitely living in Rob's body! When I said in the beginning that there was a willingness to pay respects both to the show and to Colleen, I was referring to what is happening right now in the mix. We changed tempos as the second part of Rob's mix starts with a beautiful South Korean PIece, 낯선사람들 – 왜 늘 [1993 - Discogs]. Issued on King Record - Hana Music, the album is hard to score. Rob kindly shared with me the song's meaning: "it's a song of longing, and the translation is something along the lines of "Why are we always strangers?"". Thanks Rob! Keeping the rhythm steady, Rob takes us to another great song, which is Madonna – Secret Garden [1992 - Discogs]. As you might expect now, at least you should not be surprised, "Secret Garden" is Madonna's most personal song. Get ready, if you're under 18 please don't read, laughs! "The song is described as Erotica '​s most personal song. In addition, "Secret Garden" is dedicated to the singer's vagina, "the secret place where she could enjoy herself."" Furthermore, the song features a jazz-house beat which samples the drum break from "Soul Pride" by James Brown with the BPM of 117. Interestingly enough, one of Madonna's fans shared his thoughts about the song, writing, "In French, "jardin secret" is an expression referring to someone's unspoken and intimate life and actions, the kind of things that you do mostly on your own without telling anyone else because it's not their damn business, the thoughts that you hardly share with your partner for a lot of reasons, and most importantly stuff that makes you feel good about yourself. Fontainebleau at the end of the song indicates that her secret garden is not only her bush but also that special place in one's life experience that you can only learn about when you're dating someone French. So maybe someone got the pun." That's something to feel Balearic Breakfast's soul breathing slightly differently in the hands of its supporters. To experience that is so heartwarming, really! To feel Colleen's support is really something mindblowing; we are the biggest musical family on earth people, and we Feel the love as the next song enters our dancefloor, Christy Essien – Take Life Easy [1979 - Discogs]. We experienced a lot of Beautiful mixes by Colleen, but that one, with the following track Mari Kaneko 金子 マリ – Get to Paradise [1983 - Discogs], has such a Balearic Feeling to it, I think it will be hard to top! As we can hear it, Rob's cat is in heaven; I know he is cuz' as a Lioncub, I talked to him, and he said to me, "Whenever Rob mixes, I fly elsewhere!" There you go! We're effectively flying on Jolley & Swain – Soul Street (12" extended version) [1985 - Discogs], which does have a "Music and Lights" feeling all over it! We're three tracks away from Rob's mix end as the great, and already featured in the show previously with "If Loving You Is Wrong" from her previous album "Caught up" ISSUED IN 1974, Millie Jackson – Leftovers [1975 - Discogs] takes us to a slower, groovier but somewhat darker place; Rob's mixing is, of course, still perfect here! The next song, Opal – Ain't No Way (Special Club mix) [1983 - Discogs], is not played in its entirety and when you hear why, you'll be jumping on your feet from exaltation; so well done, Rob! We end the beautifully crafted mix with Bonnie Pointer – Free Me from my Freedom [1978 - Discogs]. As I said at the beginning of this detailed playlist, Virginia's mix is more on the "open" and "outer voyage" side whereas Rob's mix was, to me, in its first part, more introspective. This trip towards an unknown yet foreign land is very well documented in Virgini'as Tribute to Vangelis, through the two tracks she plays that are Ami Shavit – Alpha 1 [1977 - Discogs] and Vangelis – Tales of the Future [1994 - Discogs], which has already been featured in the show. Vangelis shared, in an interview, how he worked when composing; I feel it is very interesting to remember that as it is true for artists: "They happen. When I do something like that I try not to think. It just comes naturally. And why naturally? Because what I see creates an emotion and this emotion comes out immediately," he says with a click of his fingers. "It may be the right one or it may be the wrong one. Usually the first one is the right one, and then the second and third are much more intellectual in approach which is second best. That's why I work in a very quick way. From this set-up," he says embracing the keyboards that surround him, "I can trigger anything I want in a split second. I like that immediacy and playability". Virginia's approach to this mix is more upfront in the beginning; the way she mixes the following track Tomislav Simovic – Waste of Emotional Energy (Repeated Viewing Remix) [2021 - Discogs] shows it perfectly, and we understand why she decided to put it here as it shares with the previous track the "airiness", enhancing the listener's flying sensation! As Ana Maria said to me, "I like Virginia's mix because there are a lot of cinematic moments"! There you go! Keeping the flying feeling absolutely alive, Virginia takes us to Von Spar – Scotch & Chablis [2010 - Discogs]! Strangely enough, we were speaking about wine with Colleen in the first part of the show, and she shared with us that she loved French white wine! Virginia's mix kept on opening itself, like a flower, and the next song, 40 Thieves – The Sandpiper (Pyschemagik Remix) [2014 - Discogs], is great evidence of that. Taking risks in changing rhythm is always a stressful moment for whoever tries to do it in a live set! Virginia does take that risk with a nice success here as Wink – Higher State of Consciousness (Album Version) [1995 - Discogs] takes us to a higher musical ground offering wider visuals. We can't help but think about David Mancuso here as this track is absolutely close to the Loft Classic that is the Orb's "Little Fluffy Clouds"! When this track ends, we clearly hear Virginia's adventurous side as Miyako Koda – Butter [1998 - Discogs] enters the scene, with its slower rhythm. Estranged by this change in rhythm, we quickly let ourselves dive deeply into this intoxicating musical phenomenon. The next track, The Grid – Crystal Clear (Clear Like an Unmuddied Lake Remix by The Orb) [1993 - Discogs], rides on perfect time and makes us think of some of Ace of Base's productions from the 90s. Nice musical unity here with the following and very funky, track (find more about it here) Samo – A Certain Ratio [2023 - Bandcamp] ! As Virginia's mix is reaching to its end, we strongly feel her Balearic Soul coming through The Daou – Surrender Yourself (Album Version) [1992 - Discogs]. I love the soundstage of that one so much, and there is an interesting interview right here. As Gala Drop – Overcoat Heat [2010 - Discogs] drops, we clearly see this was Virginia's "I'm flying" mix. Virginia ends her mix with The Phenomenal Handclap Band – You'll Disappear [2009 - Discogs]. Absolutely Balearically Approved Mix, Virginia!

Balearic Breakfast is "Our Thang". I had a chat with Virginia Tzioti who just reminded us, through this nice interview, the core of our Message... Enjoy! 1) Dear Virginia, thank you so much for being here with us on the Balearic Breakfast blog! How important is music in your everyday life? Music is my way of Life, Patti LaBelle 2) Working as a Jewellery designer, does Music influence you when crafting new models? When I am working, I always listen to music. I am not sure if it affects me directly, but it definitely influences me subconsciously. While creating new designs, I draw inspiration from various aspects of the art world. One aspect that is particularly important to me is cinema, which is also connected to some of the most iconic soundtracks. 3) What does Balearic Breakfast mean to you? I love Balearic Breakfast. I truly appreciate, respect, and admire Colleen as an artist and for all her great work on the show. It's brilliant how all these people, who don't know each other, gather every Tuesday and exchange musical information. Thanks to this amazing community, I have discovered many beautiful songs and artists. Without a doubt, it is my favourite show! 4) You were featured in the 159th episode of the series; congratulations! Can you tell us more about how you prepared your set and what you wanted to convey? I must admit, I was quite nervous about it. My initial thought was to present some of my favourite tracks that, as far as I remember, were not featured in any previous episode. I started with a first selection of about 30 records and listened to them in the order that felt right at that moment. Eventually, I managed to narrow it down to the final 12 tracks that I chose. 5) Can you share with us one moment of pure happiness you had while listening to the show (was it a show in particular you liked, a song that moved you, etc.)? I was incredibly thrilled with the recent 3rd birthday show. It was truly epic and served as a reminder of all the wonderful moments we have shared thus far. Each of us has specific songs that are deeply connected to memories, both sweet and bitter. I want to express my immense gratitude once again to Colleen and all the Balearicans for taking us on this incredible journey. Find out more about Virginia's musical tastes on her Mixcloud! Thank you once again Virginia!

When I launched the blog, I wanted to share the "Family Feeling" I felt on the Mixcloud chat. Bertrand Vraiment is a passionate member of the Family indeed! Let's meet him! To our French readers, we translated the interview below, enjoy! 1) Hello Bertrand! I am so happy to have you here on the Balearic Breakfast Blog! How did your musical journey start as a kid? What were your influences while growing up? Hi Artur, thank you very much for the invitation! My passion for music dates back to my youth, taking shape during my teenage period. At that time, my early party experiences coincided with the emergence of French house in the mid-90s, with Daft Punk leading the way, of course! It was a period of positive and joyful music, perfect for partying and bringing people together. This influence remains relevant to the music I dig and appreciate today. My true musical turning point occurred in 2001 when I moved to Paris for my studies. My radio was consistently tuned to Radio Nova and FG. I particularly remember the late-night show called 'Al-Loungez Vous', two hours of downtempo music hosted by selectors like Eric Rug, Gilb'R, Emmanuel S, and especially Chloé, whom I was a big fan of at the time. A style quite close to the Balearic spirit – Hazard ou Coincidence? Je ne crois pas! 😊 2) You invited me a couple of times to your live sets, and I must say I love how you mix! Can you tell us more about your passion for DJing? Ahah, thanks again, Artur! I enjoy preparing these live sessions with the Melomaniacs, alternating between the latest additions to my collection and tunes I've accumulated over the past twenty years! As in Balearic Breakfast, I like gradually building up the rhythm and exploring some curiosities before transitioning from disco to house, which is generally a winning formula! Regarding the technique, I quickly wanted to feel comfortable behind the turntables. During my studies, I actively organized parties and was part of the school bar team. Every Wednesday, we provided 4 hours of vinyl music for parties 200 to 300 students attended! Between these events, I would take the organization's MK2s and Ecler mixer to practice in my student apartment. Looking back, it reflects my significant motivation at the time. As a result, I completed my studies with a degree, a certain confidence behind the turntables, and a lasting addiction to records! 3) Do you believe being part of the Melomaniacs enhances your journey? Absolutely! The Melomaniacs have played a key role in my musical emancipation since I arrived in London in late 2021. This group of music enthusiasts formed through regular participation in the same radio shows, primarily Gilles Peterson and Worldwide. fm, where Balearic Breakfast started. The dedicated members of Colleen's Balearic Breakfast on Tuesday mornings include Pops, Mofonk, SwayOfTheVerses, JL, Curate, and Sean, to name just a few. We now have between 20 and 30 participants actively contributing to the Melomaniacs community, sharing our live or recorded mixtapes on our Mixcloud page, and performing in London. What is appreciable is the musical curiosity of each member, the bridges between musical genres, and mutual support for our musical projects and ambitions. These are wonderful people who have become friends! Personally, having worked abroad for about fifteen years, I remained a collector without really being able to share my passion. I discovered the Melomaniacs thanks to JL one Wednesday night at BBE Store, where Louie Vega was a guest. He then invited me to the monthly Melomaniacs show on RunDemRadio hosted by Charlie Dark. Since then, I've been doing live sessions for the Melomaniacs once a month from my home, which we've dubbed "Disco Towers," and it always brings a smile to my face. Thanks to the Melomaniacs, I became a more diligent collector, a more active DJ and, therefore, a happier man! 4) Lately, you launched the "Boogie Across Borders" YouTube channel! Congratulations! What is the reason fueling this new musical adventure? Thank you for asking about Boogie Across Borders Artur! This recently created YouTube channel is a natural progression of my musical journey. I share approximately one-hour mixes of 12* records every two weeks on YouTube. Boogie Across Borders allows me to organize and share my music collection in a targeted way. What I particularly appreciate at the moment is that I manage this project from A to Z, from selecting the records to video editing and then publishing and following it up via an Instagram page. However, I want to open the doors to other DJs to participate in this project. Two Melomaniacs have proposed interesting selections entirely in line with the spirit of Boogie Across Borders. They will soon come to spin at Disco Towers, and I am really excited to host them! I conceptualized Boogie Across Borders around two distinct axes. First, the idea is to share about a dozen songs from a particular country, exploring the period of the 80s when traditional music blended with disco sounds. I present tunes specific to the chosen country, often from the mid-70s, following the evolution throughout records. We discover catchy sounds with slapped bass that I particularly love. The second axis is dedicated to original disco music from the United States, shared year by year between 1977 and 1983. I like to alternate between iconic songs of the time and more obscure gems discovered over the years. This approach reveals interesting trends, ranging from original disco bands to the rise of divas, especially in 1979 in my selection, and the arrival of synthesizers in the 80s. In this adventure, my program is already planned until the summer of 2024, but I wonder about the future. Will I continue by sharing my passion for House music? Time will tell! 5) What makes Balearic Breakfast so special to you? Balearic Breakfast is special to me because Colleen offers us two hours of meticulously selected music every week that takes us through various styles and eras. While respecting the Balearic style and injecting her personality as a lover of the '70s/'80s, inspired by the Loft and the spirit of David Mancuso. It's exciting to see Colleen bring together a passionate community from many countries, such as Italy, France, Greece, Spain, England, and even the United States, with Bert François waking up at dawn to listen to the show live from New York! It was only natural for me to become a dedicated listener of Balearic Breakfast. Upon my arrival in London, I attended the exhibition by photographer Bill Bernstein, capturing moments in New York clubs in the late '70s and early '80s. Colleen interviewed him at Defected Records on that occasion. By the way, I am the proud owner of the iconic Larry Levan photograph at Paradise Garage, visible on almost all my Instagram posts, reminding everyone that the music I love originates from that spirit and era. A few months later, the first significant party I attended in London was Hacienda 51, where Colleen performed. It was the first time I saw her live. Shortly after, I attended a Loft party right next to my place in East London. There were too many coincidences not to be more interested in Colleen's musical world. Consequently, I became a regular listener, not only for the musical universe that Colleen "Cosmo" Murphy presents, which I fully endorse, but also to discover new tracks that I later play on vinyl 😊 Thank you so much Bertrand, Vraiment! 1) Salut Bertrand ! Je suis très heureux de t'avoir ici sure le Balearic Breakfast blog! Enfant, comment a commencé ton voyage musical ? Quelles étaient tes influences pendant ton adolescence? Salut Artur, merci beaucoup pour l’invitation ! Ma passion pour la musique remonte à ma jeunesse, prenant forme pendant mon adolescence. À cette époque, mes premières soirées ont coïncidé avec l’émergence de la French house au milieu des années 90, avec Daft Punk en tête, bien sûr ! Une musique positive et joyeuse, propice à la fête et au rassemblement, cette influence est toujours d'actualite a propos de la musique que je recherche et apprécie de nos jours. Mon véritable tournant musical a eu lieu en 2001, lorsque j’ai déménagé à Paris pour mes études. Ma radio était constamment réglée sur Radio Nova et FG. Je me souviens notamment de l’émission en deuxième partie de soirée appelée ‘Al-Loungez Vous’, deux heures de musique downtempo animées par des sélecteurs tels que Eric Rug, Gilb’R, Emmanuel S, et surtout Chloé, grand fan a l'epoque. Un style assez proche de l’esprit de Balearic Breakfast, hasard ou coïncidence ? Je ne crois pas ! 2) Tu m'as invité à plusieurs de tes sessions live sure Mixcloud et je dois dire queue j'adore ta façon de mixer! Peux-tu nous en dire plus sure ta passion pour le Djing? Eheh, merci encore Artur! J’aime préparer ces Live sessions avec les Melomaniacs, alternant entre les derniers arrivages dans ma collection et les morceaux que j’ai accumulés au fil des vingt dernières années ! À l’image de Balearic Breakfast, j’apprécie monter progressivement le rythme, explorant quelques curiosités avant de glisser de la disco vers la house, une formule généralement gagnante ! En ce qui concerne la technique, j’ai rapidement cherché à me sentir à l’aise derrière les platines vinyles. Durant mes études, j’ai été actif dans l’organisation des soirées et ai fait partie de l’équipe du bar de l’école. Chaque semaine, le mercredi, nous assurions 4 heures de musique vinyle lors de soirées rassemblant 200 à 300 étudiants ! Entre ces rendez-vous, je prenais les MK2 et la table de mixage Ecler de l’association pour m’entraîner dans mon appartement d’étudiant. Rétrospectivement, cela témoigne de ma grande motivation à l’époque ! Ainsi, j’ai terminé mes études avec un diplôme, une certaine assurance derrière les platines, et une addiction persistante pour les disques ! 3) Estimes-tu que faire partie des Melomaniacs enrichit ton voyage musical? Absolument ! Les Melomaniacs ont joué un rôle clé dans mon émancipation musicale suite a mon arrivée à Londres fin 2021. Ce groupe de passionnés s’est formé grâce à une participation régulière aux mêmes émissions de radio, en tête de file Gilles Peterson et Worldwide.fm, où Balearic Breakfast a débuté d'ailleurs. Les membres assidus de Balearic Breakfast animé par Colleen le mardi matin incluent Pops, Mofonk, SwayOfTheVerses, JL, Curate et Sean, pour n’en nommer que quelques-uns. Nous sommes maintenant entre 20 et 30 à participer à faire vivre le crew Melomaniacs, partageant nos mixtapes en direct ou enregistrées sur notre page Mixcloud, et effectuant des performances à Londres. Ce qui est appréciable, c’est la curiosité musicale de chacun, les passerelles de genres musicaux qui existent entre les membres, et le soutien mutuel dans nos projets et ambitions musicaux. Ce sont des personnes formidables qui sont devenues des amis! Personnellement, après avoir travaillé à l’étranger pendant une quinzaine d’années, je suis resté collectionneur sans vraiment pouvoir partager ma passion. J’ai découvert les Melomaniacs grâce à JL un mercredi soir chez BBE Store, où Louie Vega était l’invité. Il m’a ensuite invité au show mensuel des Melomaniacs sur RunDemRadio de Charlie Dark. Depuis lors, je réalise des lives pour les Melomaniacs une fois par mois depuis chez moi, que nous avons surnommé “Disco Towers”, ce qui me fait bien rire. Grâce aux Melomaniacs, je suis devenu un collectionneur plus assidu, un DJ plus actif et donc un homme plus heureux ! 4) Récemment tu as lancé la chaine Youtube "Boogie Across Borders"! Félicitations! Qu'est ce qui a motivé le commencement de cette nouvelle aventure? Merci de poser la question sur Boogie Across Borders 🙂 Cette chaîne YouTube récemment créée représente la suite naturelle de mon évolution musicale. J’y partage des mixes de 12 disques d’environ une heure que je publie toutes les deux semaines sur YouTube. Boogie Across Borders me permet d’organiser et de partager de manière ciblée ma collection musicale. Ce que j’apprécie particulièrement pour le moment, c’est que je gère ce projet de A à Z, de la sélection des disques, aux prises et montages vidéo, jusqu’à sa publication et son suivi via la page Instagram. Pour autant, je souhaite ouvrir les portes à d’autres DJs pour participer a ce projet. Deux Melomaniacs m’ont proposé des sélections intéressantes, respectant tout à fait l’esprit de Boogie Across Borders. Ils vont bientôt venir tourner à Disco Towers, et je suis vraiment excité de les recevoir ! J’ai conceptualisé Boogie Across Borders autour de deux axes distincts. D’abord, l’idée est de partager une douzaine de morceaux d’un pays particulier, explorant la période des années 80 où les musiques traditionnelles se sont entremêlées aux sonorités disco. Je propose ainsi des morceaux propres au pays choisi, souvent du milieu des années 70, en suivant l’évolution au fil des disques. On y découvre des sons entraînants avec des basses “slappées” que j’affectionne particulièrement. Le deuxième axe est consacré à la musique disco originelle des États-Unis, partagée année par année entre 1977 et 1983. J’aime alterner entre des morceaux emblématiques de l’époque et des pépites plus obscures découvertes au fil des années. Cette démarche révèle des tendances intéressantes, allant des disco bands à l’origine, à l’avènement des divas, surtout en 1979 dans ma selection, et à l’arrivée des synthétiseurs dans les années 80. Dans cette aventure, mon programme est déjà planifié jusqu’à l’été 2024, mais je m’interroge sur la suite. Partager dans de prochains épisodes ma passion pour la House music ? L’avenir le dira. 5) Qu'est ce qui fait que Balearic Breakfast est si spécial à tes yeux? Balearic Breakfast est particulier parce que Colleen nous offre chaque semaine deux heures de musique minutieusement sélectionnée qui nous transporte à travers les styles et les époques. Tout en respectant le style Balearic et en injectant sa personnalité d’amoureuse des années 70/80, inspirée du Loft et de l’esprit de David Mancuso. Il est enthousiasmant de constater que Colleen rassemble une communauté passionnée issue de nombreux pays tels que l’Italie, la France, la Grèce, l’Espagne, l’Angleterre et même les États-Unis, avec Bert François qui se lève aux aurores pour écouter le show en direct depuis New York ! En ce qui me concerne, c’est tout naturellement que je suis devenu un auditeur assidu de Balearic Breakfast. À mon arrivée à Londres, j’ai assisté à l’exposition du photographe Bill Bernstein sur ces moments capturés dans les clubs new-yorkais à la fin des années 70 et au début des années 80. Colleen l’avait interviewé chez Defected Records à cette occasion. Au passage, je suis l’heureux possesseur du cliché emblématique de Larry Levan au Paradise Garage, que l’on peut voir sur quasiment tous mes posts Instagram, histoire de rappeler que la musique que j’aime trouve ses racines dans cet esprit et cette époque. Quelques mois plus tard, la première grande fête à laquelle j’ai participé à Londres était Hacienda 51, où Colleen a eu une performance. C’était la première fois que je la voyais en direct. Dans la foulée, j’ai assisté à une soirée au Loft, qui était à côté de chez moi dans l’est de Londres. Il y avait trop de coïncidences pour ne pas m’intéresser plus largement à la musique de Colleen. Ainsi, je suis devenu un auditeur régulier, tant pour l’univers musical que propose Colleen “Cosmo” Murphy, auquel j’adhère pleinement, que pour découvrir de nouveaux morceaux que je convertis ensuite en vinyle 🙂 Merci Bertrand, Vraiment!

How do you start a New Year? Simply by asking a Legend to tell you his Story. That's what I did by contacting D.C. Larue! We had a chat, let's see how he's building Cathedrals... 1) Hello David, I'm over the moon to have you here on the Balearic Breakfast Blog! Colleen played "Cathedrals" on the 158th episode of the show. You shared in an interview that the Idea for the song was born during a party at the loft when Steve D'Acquisto said, "Ahh, Discos are the Cathedrals of now!" Yet, Instead, the lyrics seem to present, within a worried world, a somewhat sad statement of abandoned cult places. Do you remember how the lyrics came to you and what you wanted to convey through them? Hello Artur, and thanks for having me! First of all the "CATHEDRALS" metafore included and covered more than just discos although I was at THE LOFT when it inspired me. It sounded like the perfect title for a concept album. Concept albums were the big thing in music at the time. The lyrics refer to all the various places that were part of what was considered the "disco" lifestyle at that moment ("they're in the dance halls [ie discos]"). And, at the time, I don't believe those places were abandoned. Were they ever truly abandoned? I don't think so. They still apply today from what I can see. I might add that they weren't specifically referring to gays (try to watch the "LOOKING FOR MISTER GOODBAR" film. It says it all about it being a heterosexual thing as well). It took me a few weeks to come up with a title track for the album. The first song was "I DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU". I wrote the melody and lyrics over those wonderful  "churchie" chords. I thought it was very appropriate considering the album title. Then came "CATHEDRALS". Aram presented a guitar riff and a chord progression and it took me about an hour to come up with a melody and lyrics. It just happened. No great story. Maybe it was just a tad autobiographical! Then I wanted to write lyrics to a mass (album title again) and I had always loved Handel's MESSIAH so I arbitrarily chose a movement and wrote the song "I'LL STILL BE HERE FOR YOU".  The final track and the least disco of the album was "DEEP, DARK, DELICIOUS NIGHT''. It was a tune I had written around 1974. I was a huge Bruce Springsteen fan and wanted it to be very much like "BORN TO RUN''. Aram tried his best to "disco-fy'' it but it was always a little too rock and too fast. From end to end, the song chronicles a love affair from its inception to the waiting for the unfaithful lover and the realization of how hopeless searching for true love is, then accepting reality and dancing off into the night search for sex with no expectations of love! 2) Another track on that incredible album of yours, my personal favourite, is "I Don't Want to Lose You", with its whooping 14:14 minutes, allowing you, through music, silence and a swirling wind, to, once again, present a very pictural track to the listener. Of course, in hindsight, we see the "Summer Influence" there, but still, the visual capabilities are stronger. Do you believe that Disco, thanks to its intrinsic musical structure, helped musicians create a vision that freed the listener? Correct! "LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY" was a huge influence. I had been recording since 1961 to no avail. Then I signed with KIRSHNER RECORDS in 1975, the record was produced by Wally Gold and arranged by Ron Frangipane. I felt it was the best I had made in my life. It was not successful and it was because of the music business politics and payola. At that point, I promised myself that I would never record again... Then I met Aram Schefrin while doing the graphic design for his TEN WHEEL DRIVE album and we became great friends. And at that juncture, I started going out and dancing at the disco in my neighbourhood. One evening at 12 WEST the dj Tom Savarese played Donna's track and it blew my mind! Stopped me cold. And it did make me want to record again, if for no other reason except to make a similar recording.  So the flame had been ignited. Then, a month or so went by and Steve came up with the "CATHEDRALS" title. I presented the concept to Aram and he loved the idea. I wrote "I DON'T WANT TO LOSE YOU" and played him "LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY" as a template. It's better and more densely musical because I feel Aram was a great arranger and producer and creatively different from Georgio Moroder. Do I believe that Disco, because of its intrinsic musical structure, helped musicians create a vision that freed the listener as well? Of course!! 3) An insider of the Disco Era, you saw its rise, lived its fall, and met the greatest names associated with its history. Though as we know it, people were still fighting for equity and a recognition of their freedom on many levels, it seems musically there was "something more". How do you reflect upon what you experienced back then as an artist? Unannounced to me I was breaking a lot of the rules and making a lot of music people very unhappy. I could never get on Top 40 radios because of my lyrics and the length of my tracks. By 1981, I was very bitter and felt abused. I wanted nothing to do with disco for about 30 years. Fortunately, I have lived to see a total 360-degree turn in the respect and acceptance of disco. I will pass knowing I was right and courageous and innovating and, I guess, years before my time. I am thankful to have lived to see it happen again. Now I am having more top-five charting tracks with my remixes than I could have imagined. And this upcoming year of 2024, there are so many vinyl releases and new remixes scheduled for release. It Makes me very happy, indeed. And that "something more" you refer to was just that. If you were open to new experiences, just listening to the disco from that era was a life-changing experience... with or without the drugs. But I guess, looking back, it took courage. Really. Going to a disco was nothing like hanging out at an EAGLES concert with your friends. It was an entirely different communal experience. 4) 2018 saw the release of brand new remixes of some of your tracks, including "Cathedrals", after you got your hands back on your masters! Soundwise, it's brilliant! We owe these new remixes to your dedication towards your body of work! I have only known one thing in my life and that is to do what I love. I don't think I ever (and to this very day) thought much about the future. My dreams are of the moment. I never cared about the money, I only created for the joy of creating. And the universe has always taken care of my needs. That's about it! 5) You launched your radio show in 2020: DISCO JUICE is listened to by a Worldwide audience. Though you haven't produced any new music for quite a long time, can we expect new music from you in the future? As you stated rightfully, my DISCO JUICE programs contain disco at its very best and are doing great with thousands of listeners around the world! I even listen to them myself! Musically speaking, as long as these brilliant young DJs and musicians keep reaching out to rework my music, it will be there for them. In a sense, I am reproducing all my past recordings through them and making new recordings all the time. But don't expect brand-new music from me in the future, as, unfortunately, the disco muse flew away 35 years ago! Sorry! I wish you all a Happy New Year and the best for 2024! Cheers! D.C.

When I heard "Silent Messages", it took me away. George's music is like an invisible hand, leading you towards an unknown destination. I had to meet the man behind the trip... 1) Thank you so much, George, for joining me here on the Balearic Breakfast blog! Your track « Silent Messages » was played by Colleen on Balearic Breakfast, and it shares with the 3 other tracks of your EP something allying solid but non-overwhelming bass, an extended sonic soundstage, with a beautiful equilibrium of musicality and realism in some of the effects (which are quite seizing on secret messages!). When composing a track, does it happen to you that you already have in mind the sound you would like to achieve in the mastering process? Thank you for having me on the Balearic Breakfast blog, Artur; it is a truly fantastic experience for me. I have immense appreciation for your work and Colleen's shows, and this blog is a constant source of inspiration for me. Your warm welcome and featuring my track in the show were truly highlights. 'Silent Messages' was born from the realization that our interactions often convey much more than the mere words we speak. The title emerged in parallel with the song's production, which is typical for me. I might start with one title and concept, but as the creative process unfolds, it can undergo significant changes, leading to a completely new name and concept. This creative evolution is active during the writing, production, and mixing phases. What drew me into electronic music was the unique opportunity to explore subtle nuances and convey various shades of the same emotional colour. In my productions, I prefer to explore different shades and their interplay rather than using many different colours. Throughout the production process, a concept gradually takes shape and evolves during this creative journey. While a track is never truly 'finished' in the traditional sense, at a certain point, it's ready to meet its audience and embark on its unique voyage. 2) When listening to your other musical creations (thinking about « Stop, look, listen), one can feel there is a worried touch to your music, enhanced by the non-harmonic tones you put here and there, almost lending a hand to sadness but without totally falling into it. The listener is almost always on the verge of surprise when listening to your music. Is there a hidden (and Balearic…) message in there you are trying to convey? 'Stop, Look, Listen' marked a significant turning point in my approach to production and my connection to the broader Balearic community. Collaborating with NuNorthern Soul and Phil Cooper offered me a valuable opportunity to channel my creative potential and cultivate trust in my instincts. In my music, I always seek to introduce moments of tension and carefully develop them in the track I am working on. Often, subtle moments of tension arise unexpectedly during the production process. Rather than viewing them as mistakes, I see them as fortunate occurrences that I strive to preserve. I have always appreciated these nuances or imperfections in other artists and I believe they are integral to defining the character of the music and the artist. So I devote careful attention to them and try to make way for them in my compositions, especially when they bring a fresh perspective or the element of pleasant surprise. While my music doesn't convey hidden messages, it is anchored in recurring emotions that you'll find in much of my work. These emotions primarily stem from a sense of nostalgia. Not for a specific place but rather for an ideal imaginary place. It's a complex feeling of fulfilment and well-being in this present moment while being aware that there is much more to the human experience than meets the eye. Simultaneously, there's a deep gratitude for the places, moments, and people that life has introduced along the way. In many ways, it echoes the story of Odysseus, who yearns for home and ultimately returns to Ithaca. 3) In 2001, Michael Jackson issued “Invincible”, an album showcasing a very specific and modern approach to sound. Do you believe an artist should work on his sonic identity? How much is that aspect important to you? In addition to my deep love for my family and music, I have a deep passion for innovation and engineering. In my view, progress doesn't necessarily mean only moving forward. It can also involve taking steps backwards when it's the right move at the right time. Often, we readily embrace technology and the array of options it offers, overlooking the fact that limitations can actually fuel our creative potential. Recently, I had the opportunity to listen to isolated a cappella backing tracks of Michael Jackson's iconic productions from the Quincy Jones/Rod Temperton era, and they were simply breathtaking. These tracks are complete compositions on their own. For me, researching and developing my music is a key motivator. I view this development as moving along different dimensions and playing with limitations. Juxtapositions such as dense versus sparse, lighter tones versus darker tones, or even using the guitar in unconventional ways in place of a synth part, often serve as the starting points for my creative journey. Speaking of which, I'm keen to get my hands on a vinyl copy of "Invincible." Vinyl offers a unique way to truly experience the music, and I've heard great reviews about this album. 4) You shared with me your past musical experiences, which are absolutely impressive. If there was one thing you learned from all of these years working in music, which one would it be? I can only share my personal experiences and lessons, hoping they can be valuable to even a few readers. However, we can all agree that each person's journey is unique, and there are no real mistakes as long as they come from within and teach us something. We live in an era where knowledge is more accessible than ever, and many people are eager to share their expertise and offer support. Decide what it is that you want to learn and pursue it with intention. I mean, simply browsing through videos and teasers won't get you far, but purposeful research can be immensely helpful. Music production is an ongoing journey, but it means little without developing the creative facets of our personality as well. Many iconic recordings were created with very limited resources and even feature what some might call 'mistakes.' However, these 'mistakes' didn't diminish their mass appeal and enduring legacy. Finding your own voice and fully owning it is the most important objective any artist or any creative person could have. Everything else stems from that. 5) What are your future plans? A couple of months before the end of 2023, I had the privilege of releasing my new mini-album titled "Silent Messages" with the Barcelona-based label Balearic Ensemble (https://balearicensemble.bandcamp.com/). Working with Vitor Silva and all the label's collaborators was an absolute thrill, and I'm particularly delighted with every aspect, from the mastering to the artwork. The album swiftly made its debut through Dream Chimney and was warmly embraced, receiving airplay on Balearic Breakfast and numerous other fantastic shows and mixes. I'm always deeply grateful to all the DJs and producers who take the time to listen to my music and seamlessly blend it with the incredible releases that drop month by month. As a token of my appreciation, I make sure to feature new mixes in my social media sources and promote the shows within my networks. In 2024, I plan to continue supporting and promoting "Silent Messages" and even consider some remixes or reworks. Additionally, I'm diligently working on a concept album of short ambient tracks that I like to call "post-chill." I believe there's room for a more accessible yet still captivating and organic chill sound. Furthermore, I'm interested in assembling a small music group where we can collaborate, using original tunes and reworking tracks from my back catalogue. They say there are too many ideas and too little time, and I couldn't agree more! Participating in Balearic Breakfast and sharing my thoughts and experiences has been an absolute pleasure. I'm especially grateful to Colleen and to you, Artur, for the incredible work you're doing. The Balearic community is a vibrant and ever-evolving hub of artists, and the opportunity to share our ideas and stories is something I deeply cherish. Here's to a Happy New Year! Thank you so much, George! Merry Christmas to you and to our Balearic Breakfast Family! George's Musical Journey... "Silent Messages" is such an important track to me that I wanted to discover more about George's musical universe. He gladly shared his story with me. Here it is, enjoy... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uht4FhLTs7Q: a little history University freshman and member of the pop-rock band Rififi circa 95. It's too bad that the original YouTube videos have been taken down due to copyright claims because this song has reached over 100K hits, whereas a number of other band hits (not with me in them) were over 2 Million. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyEBWtlGbRY Since 2010 I have been self-producing my music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5FIbKRDf7c: circa 2010 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSWGnMIP0S0: Spring Breeze (Scatters the Flowers): another original and unreleased track. I am happy for the careless vibes and ultra-smooth sound https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDd-N35clAA: this somehow started the Balearic trip. This short-lived duo called FAREL freed me to play more openly and compose a sound closer to my long soul-jazz influences in the spirit of Grant Green, Pat Martino and Ronnie Jordan. I produced the video and sent it around. Immediately as I posted this on Facebook, Grant Williams of Eclectics label made a very supportive endorsement. At around the same time, a short demo went to Phil, and he decided to sign me in Nu Northern Soul. This has led to my first album with the label "Stop, Look, Listen" in 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFVwYLx_klg: "Theme For My Father" is a nod to two of my favourite artists, Steely Dan, who used the bass line of "Song for My Father" by Horace Silver in their famous "Rikki Don't Lose that number". Of course, the similarities ended up much less obvious, but I have kept the title. One of the bands that have led the not-so-recent Yacht Rock craze with original material, impeccable musicianship and LA-style lush productions is the State Cows, a duo of great Swedish musicians. At some point, I contacted one half of this duo, Stefan Olofsson, an amazing keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist, and he decided to contribute to the Rhodes el. piano riffs and solos in this track. I take some chances with my guitar as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_HM2R_nB-o: "Early Morning Ferry" is still the most listened track from this album. I prepared the video with my own footage from a place that I like to visit during summer. It's not far from Athens but it's great. Actually, it seems other famous people prefer this same place too!  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11121089/Boris-Carrie-Johnson-children-beach-holiday-Greece.html In late 2020, we talked with Phil, and he had an idea to release "Early Morning Ferry" as a beatless version. I listen to the work, and I understand it needs much more than eliminating the drums. So I offered to rework the track, and although the clock was ticking for the Winter Warmers compilation, I managed to prepare a completely revamped "Morning Ferry (Sun Fanatics Beatless Mix)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDLZd7Kiu_Q: The track was one of the 10 tracks that were included in the Nu Northern Soul 10 years Special Anniversary Vinyl Boxset. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul8sz51Qakc: "Stop, Look. Listen" from my album with the same name is also a very special track for me because it was the result of my effort to create an original folk-funk experience. The vocals remain undisclosed because no one would afford to disclose them (this is of the record). I was really happy that my label has decided to release this as a rework in 2022. I am still very fond of the original mix: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrFrCo2E2qo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUrEwZBR4L8 La Nuit Blanche started as a nod to the early Cafe Del Mar sounds, less electronic and more organic. Multitracked guitars and string manipulations created an ethereal sound that I was really happy to achieve. Immediately Imaginaria label masterminds Giovanni Santucci and Luca Fani liked the track and encouraged me to build a vinyl production project around it. This turned out to be a very special release that was implemented with the support of Filippo Dala VIlla of the super creative Italian agency Freskiz. You can read about the project here (I use google translate too...): https://www.frizzifrizzi.it/2022/01/11/garbin-project-tra-musica-grafica-e-illustrazione-allinsegna-della-contaminazione/ A small number of high-quality red 7' vinyl have been printed and have been available since last month: https://www.hhv.de/shop/en/item/george-koutalieris-george-koutalieris-1052632 https://www.phonicarecords.com/product/george-koutalieris-george-koutalieris-pre-order-imaginaria-records/189850 https://www.jetsetrecords.net/725006221469/ Dream Chimney is a truly special blog for me, and I have been following it for nearly 20 years! (right time flies!). I was so thrilled to see their logo in the video premiering my new album https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7xhyABvDHc https://www.instagram.com/reel/CylTYX_MkS9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Last week's Balearic Breakfast Show was a highlight for me. Not only because of my immense admiration for Colleen's work and aesthetics but also because the show was such a trip in itself. Eagle by the Abba and then the amazing Amigo by Roberto Carlos followed by the Kraak & Smaak remix of Lies put out by my friends at Naya Beat, wow just wow!!

NTS Radio broadcast the 2nd episode of Balearic Brunch live on December 3rd 2023. About this show. – There is a change in the air; can you hear it in the Music? It took me two listening sessions to get the picture and the lingering message of the show. Of course, the whole vibe is relaxed, but, nonetheless, it holds in it some concern about tomorrow, about the future; nothing is everlastingly Joyous here, though the sun does get out a little bit; there is still a balance here, between now, what has been and what will be, hence the title of this post which precisely reflects that. And it makes me think about The Little Prince; in fact, I just found that quote that I forgot, and it perfectly fits this show's soul: "Of course, I’ll hurt you. Of course, you’ll hurt me. Of course, we will hurt each other. But this is the very condition of existence. To become spring means accepting the risk of winter. To become presence means accepting the risk of absence." This second edition of Balearic Brunch is all about that Joy that should be there, that can be there, but that is often if not always, slightly shadowed by the struggles, the changing, Life's instability and decorated with our own subjective fears. It's all in the Music and the lyrics, so, without further due, let's dive into this beautiful show! Listen back to the 2nd edition of Balearic Brunch: PLAYLIST Calm Presents Moonage Electric Ensemble – Noon at the Moon Camelle Hinds – Sausalito Calling Maze ft Frankie Beverley – Golden Time of Day Cecilio & Kapono – Someday Seawind – Free Ned Doheny – To prove my love Xavier – Love is on the one Leonidas & Hobbes – Web of Intrigue (extended mix) Blue night – Turn me loose THE LISTENING EXPERIENCE Starting with two Gorgeous tracks that perfectly blend together, Calm Presents Moonage Electric Ensemble – Noon at the Moon [1999 - Discogs] & Camelle Hinds – Sausalito Calling [1996 - Discogs], Colleen sets the leading tone of this episode, which is one of relaxation, calm but with that icy spicy taste on the top of the cake, somewhere! For your information, Calm Presents Moonage Electric Ensemble was reissued a few days ago both on vinyl and on CD; a special CD version includes beautiful remixes by talented artists, including Davide Lovato whom we interviewed here on the blog. This light uneasiness gets its confirmation in the following songs. Please look at the next five tracks; you'll see the equilibrium point I discussed at the start of this post. Maze ft Frankie Beverley – Golden Time of Day [1978 - Discogs] perfectly fits Sausalito Calling's rhythm, bringing a free moment of pure happiness. It is about enjoying the moment and considering what Life is all about when you change your point of view. Though we keep the Musical Balearic Spirit on the next song, Cecilio & Kapono – Someday [1975 - Discogs], we can't help but feel this song's message is much stronger; there is a need for change here, obviously. This need for a change is still present in the following song by the jazz fusion group from Hawaii, fronted by the vocals of Grammy-winning singer Pauline Wilson which is Seawind – Free [1979 - Discogs]. Keeping the pulse absolutely alive, Colleen then takes us to the next number, the absolutely Balearic but nonetheless a little bit weary track that is Ned Doheny – To Prove My Love [1978 - Discogs] – There is a wonderful page about Ned just here. Ending the show, the following three songs, Xavier – Love is on the one [1982 - Discogs], Leonidas & Hobbes – Web of Intrigue (extended mix) [2019 - Discogs] & Blue night – turn me loose [1983 - Discogs & Bandcamp for the 2022 reissue] keep a worried musical touch with almost invocative lyrics, letting winter slowly enter your soul...

Undoubtedly, Davide Lovato is a very talented composer. His ability to create "mental representations" thanks to music is astounding... Music helps not to hear inside the silence that is outside. (Johann Sebastian Bach) 1) Dear Davide, Hello and welcome to the Balearic Breakfast Blog! Can you tell us more about your musical and professional Background? How was 'Lova Music' Born? Thank you for having me, Colleen, and Artur! When I was 13, I began recording cassettes from an Italian radio station; back then, I liked house/dance/electronic music in general. I bought my first CDJ100s with a Gemini mixer and started discovering music production by myself. For 15 years, I experimented and kept on learning from my mistakes. During all these years, I also broadened my musical horizons, listening to genres like Trip-hop, Indie, shoegaze, dream and pop music, which influenced my tastes and my productions. At 30, I decided to get serious about my musical passion and studied theory, arrangements, and mixing, which allowed me to produce five tracks. Around this time, I finally found the musical identity I was searching for: LOVA (a mix of Balearic/downtempo/Scandinavian disco/Italo disco & chillout ambient). I came to Ibiza during the pandemic in the Summer of 2020 with those tracks on a USB Drive. I gave them to a DJ, who played them during his session at La Torre. He then contacted me two days after the party, asking me to sign for his label NuNorthern Soul: his name was Phil Cooper... 2) Your track "Two ends - Frame of Mind (Lova Summer '87Mix)", taken from the Shades of Summer Vol. 1 album, had great success among Balearic Breakfast's Family members, and it has been played on the 136th show of the series by Colleen. With its huge visual capabilities, beautiful soundstage, and perfect blissful rhythm, this track embodies what a great "Balearic track" sounds like. What are you searching for when working on a remix? Thank you all; I am so happy to hear that! It is so kind of you! Actually, I am pretty new to the remixing side of things. Usually, before doing anything, I take a lot of time listening to the track I want to remix until I can destructure it mentally, seeing how I can recreate and re-arrange its story. I search for its "soul" which I always want to keep and to emphasise. Only then, when I am sure about the "core material," I add some new instruments. I usually add some mellow melody, chords, and groove (then working like I usually do on my own compositions). Sometimes, during the mixing process, I listen to the track on a dancefloor or on the beach with the sun setting down to see if I can Feel the music. If the track allows me to dance or to dream, I know I "seized" something. The track played by Colleen during Balearic Breakfast is only the second official remix I ever did (and the second one of the same original tune)! Finding a different interpretation of the same track was so funny - first attempt here)! As I speak, I am working on a new remix of an original, well-known track of a Balearic legend... I am searching for how to add value to it, so Stay tuned! 3) When reading your description of the songs composing your last EP (Storie d'Amore), it is obvious that you took inspiration from very private and emotionally intense moments of your life. While keeping your beautiful Balearic touch, you were still able to link your life's experiences to evocative musical representations, showcasing your talent as a composer and as a producer ("Madre and Padre" is an astonishing track to me, for instance). Was working on this EP a tough process emotionally, or was it, on the contrary, a somewhat "soothing" experience? Before composing a new tune, I usually check my notes to find a title and inspiration. Every title reflects a moment, an experience, a memory, a story, a feeling, or something I believe in. For instance, when I started working on “Storie d’Amore EP”, I tried to focus on the title's subject, converting into music what my heart, mind, and soul had to say. I remember feeling a mixture of several emotions, ranging from happiness to sadness. I must say that, to me, life's challenging moments don’t necessarily bring sad feelings. I always try to take the best out of any situation and learn from life's most challenging moments, accepting its reality… So, in the end, I also felt peace and calm while working on this EP (though, Later in the production process, I was pretty stressed out because I wanted to achieve what I had in my mind, laughs!). Madre Padre
 - Initially this was called Mother, Father, I wrote it during covid time and dedicated it to my parents,. At the time my father was close to say goodbye universe. My father had ALS when he was 50, and my mother assisted him for 27 years with the illness. The tune includes the difficulties, the bravery, the challenges life gave to them and the way of love they got. In the meantime, I became a Father. So I thought of dedicating the tune to my parents, as well as to me and Anna.
The baby on the bridge is me watching my parents, but it is also Cecilia watching me and Anna. 4) You're no stranger to Ibiza; the island has always inspired you mentally and musically. Do you believe the Island has its own spirit? What do you feel when being there that inspires you? Generally speaking, I'm really close to nature: the small Islands, the sea, the beaches, sunsets, and nature give me the energy and the positivity I need, along with some freedom of mind! The first time I went to Ibiza was around 2010. With its Balearic Island colours, landscapes, smells, rocks, pines, cicalas, roads, and hidden gems, the Island has tremendously affected me and gained a special place in my heart. Three years ago, the Island and its people also allowed me to pursue my musical dream, which I spent 15 years working on, Ibiza is a friendly place where I can put out my music in a more relaxed way... Even as a child that did not have big expectations, I remember Ibiza being a place where I could dream, hope, feel... This Island brought me real inner freedom and allowed me to get closer to my soul, thinking about how I want to live my life and what I still must achieve to become a better person... 5) To me, your music shows how sensitive you are; I truly mean it. It's plain to hear that you can convey realistic images to your listeners without using lyrics. I have a strange question for you. Do you think Music can convey inner silence and create mental images when used proficiently? Though we never met Artur, I feel you know me better than I know myself (laughs!). Absolutely, yes, you're right. I think everyone has something special, a secret deep down inside where the soul lives. I am lucky because music has always been by my side, even as a child, helping me growing up; so sharing life experiences with my listeners using its means is truly a blessing. As a composer, music allows me to escape this world for a moment and translate its reality on another level. Music also allows me to share pure feelings and bring to people something that will stay long after I'm gone. It's nice to know I can convey realistic images without lyrics; it's much better that way because you don't hear my voice😊 (laughs again!). Thank you so much, dear Davide, for this great interview! Thank you, Colleen and Artur, for your interest, for your time, for your kind words, and for your authentic questions. I wish you love and health and many, many good Balearic Breakfasts to come! 😊 DISCOGRAPHY 2021-05 LOVA - Echoes of Memories on SUMMER SAMPLER 3 Vinyl (NuNorthern Soul - Ibiza) 2021-06 LOVA - Gypsophila EP (NuNorthern Soul - Ibiza) 2021-11 LOVA - Lento Levante on AIR WAVES compilation (Dream Chimney - San Francisco) 2022-07 LOVA - Colours of the Mind EP (Balearic Ensemble - Barcelona) 2022-09 LOVA - Gypsophila Remixes Vinyl (Hear & Now, Leo Mas, Danilo Braca) 2022-10 Two Ends - This Moment Is For Life (LOVA Eivissa Flight remix) 2023-06 LOVA - Storie d’Amore (DSPPR - Chris Coco’s Label, London) 2023-07 Two Ends - This Moment Is For Life (LOVA Summer ‘87 remix) - Shades of Sound summer compilation 2023-08 Cafè del Mar Summer Compilation 2023-10 NuNorthern Soul - Posta de Sol Compilation 2023-08 The Chillout Tent Vol.2 2023-11 Authentic Love Song - LOVA Batticuore Remix