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In this poignant interview, Alina Bzhezhinska, the Ukrainian Harpist, explains how her last musical effort embodies resilience in the face of life's uncertainties... 1) Dear Alina, thank you so much for joining us here on the Balearic Breakfast Blog! "Child's Play", the opening track of your last studio album "Whispers of Rain", recently played by Colleen , seems to have a worried soul. Can you take us through this opening song and tell us what you wanted to convey?  Thank you so much for having me here, Artur. ‘Child’s Play’ is really the doorway into the world of Whispers of Rain . I wanted it to capture that uneasy feeling of uncertainty, a mix of nostalgia and apprehension. The track opens softly, almost tentatively, like someone stepping into unknown territory, and then, gradually, it layers tension and texture. It’s not meant to be dark for darkness’ sake; it’s about those moments in life where the familiar suddenly feels fragile, and you’re learning to navigate the unknown. I hope listeners feel that tension, but also a subtle sense of hope underneath. There are also voices of Tulshi’s kids in the background, and they bring hope and lightness... 2) "Whispers of Rain' is a beautifully mixed and engineered album. The soundstage, the sonic layers, the atmosphere, the way the harp's sound melts with waves of electronic sounds is astounding, and speaking about your collaboration with Tulshi on this album, you said "I loved the way Tulshi felt the music, we instantly had a strong creative connection. Our collaboration was built on trust, we each understood how to complement the other’s sound without overpowering it.” Can you remember on which track you absolutely felt that connection, and was it present during the recording, or did it reveal itself in later stages while producing the album?  The connection with Tulshi was almost instant. I’d say the track ‘Across the Sea’ really embodies that interplay; the harp and the electronics just seemed to breathe together. That feeling of trust and complementarity was there from the recording sessions, but it deepened in the production stage when we were shaping the textures and layering sounds. At times, it felt like the music was guiding us rather than the other way around, which is always magical for me in a collaboration. 3) This album seems to be a musical warning. How did you choose its title, and what is the main message behind it? The title Whispers of Rain came from the idea of subtle warnings and quiet awakenings. Rain is gentle but persistent; it can nourish, but it can also remind us of fragility and change. The album is a reflection on uncertainty, resilience and awareness. It’s not a lecture but a conversation through music about noticing what’s happening around us and maybe feeling compelled to respond in some way. 4) You have a brand new EP coming out in March. Can you present it to us? The new Live recording of “Whispers of Rain” , featuring the incredible Tony Kofi on saxophone, flute and hand percussion, is a continuation of my exploration with sound, intimacy and space. We’ve experimented with more textures while keeping the live improvisation our central point. It’s playful in some places and reflective in others, but always about dialogue between instruments, between musicians and with the listener. I’m excited to share it because it feels like a more personal side of my musical voice. 5) Those who follow you, and those who feel you through your music and who know your soul, deeply feel how much you're open and willing to change things (your charity engagement proves that), and how much your music speaks volumes about everything that is going wrong, be it in Ukraine or in other parts of the world... Do you still believe music has the power to change things? What does it take for an artist to be up there fighting the odds? Yes, I do still believe in music’s power to change things, but it’s never simple or immediate. Music creates space for empathy, awareness and reflection; it can stir people to feel, to think and to act. For an artist to ‘fight the odds’ it takes courage, consistency and humility. Courage to speak up through your work, consistency to keep creating even when it’s difficult. But there is always hope that we can create a better world. I am going to Ukraine next month to work at the Art Therapy camp with kids, and am also trying to put up a big concert, "Jazz for Peace" , with many great musicians getting together.  Watch this space! Thank you so much for answering these questions, dear Alina! The Balearic Breakfast Family wishes you all the best in your musical endeavours! Follow Alina Bzhzhinska on her Bandcamp to buy her music , and don't forget to visit her website too!

Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy broadcast the 263rd episode of Balearic Breakfast on her Mixcloud on February 25th , 2026. ABOUT THIS EPISODE Colleen's ability to convey a rhythmical and positive message absolutely shines here. From the start, and quite quickly, we feel a marching force in the music and in the songs. The mixing is absolutely faultless and very precise (listen to the first 45 minutes of the show, and you'll get the idea!), beautifully executed, allowing the listener to blend in a musical sea en immerge himself in a positive mindset no matter his own mood. This morning’s Balearic Breakfast is now up on my Mixcloud with music from @citizens_of_vice @isitbalearic @nunorthernsoul @daniel_monaco_music @bordelloshop @statuesc56 @frombeyonduk @payfone_ldn @40_thieves_sf @summerloving71 @pete_blaker @moodymanc_ @afroterraneo @merecumberecordings @djdouggomez @protoexotica @joeclaussellsplaygroundd @nightmaresonwax @greenteapeng and more… Next Tuesday’s Balearic Breakfast will be a request show and the request line goes up on my socials on Saturday. Looking forward to your requests as always. And hope you can join me for a FREE @classicalbumsundays event in collaboration with ‘A Century in Sound’ filmmaker @nickdwyernz who will turn the tables and interview me about my experiences in Japan from 1989 onward and I’ll be spinning some of my favourite songs by Japanese artists at @spacetalk.ldn on Tuesday 31 March. And one more ‘free event’: this Friday morning I’ll be hosting a show on Worldwide FM from 10am to high noon and I hope you can join me there, too! Thanks for listening. Listen back to the 263rd episode of Balearic Breakfast: THE PLAYLIST ( 2026 ) Coyote – Muted Beauty ( 1973 ) Intruders   – Save the Children ( 1973 ) Jon Lucien   – Love Everlasting ( 1974 ) The Main Ingredient   – Euphrates ( 2020 ) Family of Swede   – Set You Free ( 2025 ) Nightmares on Wax ft Green Tea Peng   – I Remember ( TBR ) Statues   – Sign It Off ( TBR ) From Beyond   – On the Drums ( 2026 ) 40 Thieves   – Déja Vu (Payfone Remix) ( TBR ) Björk   – One Day (Field2Factory Two Suns and a Volcano Mix) ( 2025 ) Pete Blaker   – Keem ( 1975 ) Black Blood   – A.I.E. (A Mwana) ( 2026 ) Barrio B ft Ameh Fashi   – Lagos 11 ( 2019 ) Doug Gomez & Conway Kasey   – Ritmo Sagrado ( 2024 ) Joaquin Joe Claussell   – New Africa ( TBR ) Airto   – Toque de Cuica (Old Mervue Extended Edit) ( 1979 ) David Benoit   – Life is like a Samba ( 2026 ) Daniel Monaco ft Manuel Rodriguez   – Flamenca ( 1976 ) Donna Summer   – Spring Affair

Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy broadcast the 262nd episode of Balearic Breakfast on her Mixcloud on February 17th , 2026. ABOUT THIS EPISODE You never really know what's going to happen during Balearic Breakfast, and even the blog has its own little surprises! While I was listening to the show, I asked Colleen if she could share with me a picture she published on her stories, and, voilà, here you are with two exclusive pictures! This episode, as positively as it ends, has a very interesting start as the first songs, and also a few of the other ones played later by our dear Captain, seem to share an idea of growth, of evolution, love being the main message as always... hence the title of today's post... Beyond Pain... Pain is a Teacher. It is the best and the hardest Teacher you will ever have. As hard as it hits, and the More it hits, you must remember it shows you things you have to change in your life. Pain allows you to grow in ways no other feeling can. Through your tears, you’ll understand your mistakes and also the harshness and the stupidity of this world of ours and of a lot of the people living in it. Of course, you have the right to protect yourself in the future, but do not lose, try not to lose the best of you, even if you know it’s somehow useless, vain, as you’ll never change Life’s Bitterness… Through your pain, try to see your next tomorrow, try to visualise your next sunshine, and, somehow, never forget who you were before the rain set in… Be Stronger, be more protective of your goldmine but, at the very same time, try, try with all of your might, through the unnecessary pain that has been inflicted to you, to stay grateful without showing forgiveness… Change is part of life, and only by acknowledging its painful power will you be able to become the adult you were always meant to be… This morning’s Balearic Breakfast is now up on my Mixcloud and features some of the records I picked up in Japan earlier this year – Japanese ambient, jazz, house and more. And the show also features the exclusive premier of ‘Language is Love’ by Ground – a project by Joe Goddard, MC Dynamite, Esa Williams, Chisara Agor and Dan Willis. They were so kind to make me my very own special dub plate (I just love the smell of acetate in the morning). This Friday I’m heading to Chelmsford to spin with my old friend Jimpster at Canteen and on Tuesday, 31st March I’m playing and discussing some of my favourite Japanese records in a Classic Album Sundays event with filmmaker Nick Dwyer at Space Talk in London (its free and starts at 7pm). The event is in honour of the London premier of Dwyer’s ‘A Century In Sound’ film series which tells the stories behind the 100 year culture of Japan’s listening cafes – often referred to as jazz kissa. We’ll discuss my own history with Japanese culture and music, and how Classic Album Sundays helped establish the listening bar ethos in the UK. Its free so come on down. I’ll be back with Balearic Breakfast next Tuesday and wishing you a Happy St Patrick’s Day and a lovely week. Thanks for listening. Listen back to the 262nd episode of Balearic Breakfast: THE PLAYLIST ( 1991 ) Shinsuke Honda – Zanshou ( 1983 ) Om   – Solar Wind ( 1976 ) Ryo Kawasaki   – On the Dot ( 1976 ) Kimiko Kasai   – This Masquerade ( 2025 ) Yukino Inamine & Akio Nagase   – Tsuki Nu Kaisha ( 2025 ) Chito Kawachi   – Heaven's Breath ( 2026 ) Antonio Ocasio ft Ed Ramsey   – A Lover's Dream ( 2024 ) Reuben Vaun Smith   – Lost in Space ( 2014 ) Temu   – Robots ( 1980 ) Sunshine   – If This is Free (I Don't Wanna Be) (xx) Ground   – Language is Love ( 2026 ) Esa Williams ft Nonku Phiri   – Nakupenda ( 2003 ) Jazzanova ft. Vikter Duplaix   – That Night (Wahoo Remix) ( 2026 ) Kyoto Jazz Massive ft Echoes of a New Dawn Orchestra   – Impulsive Procession (Opolopo Remix) ( 2026 ) Sunga ft Motoharu   – Sunday ( 2026 ) DJ Emma   – Joy ( 2026 ) DJ Fudge & Kiko Navarro ft Tia Collins   – Show You the Way ( 1996 ) Ten City   – All Loved Out (Serenade Mix) ANNOUNCEMENTS As you know, I went back to Japan earlier this year, and I haven't yet had a chance to play some of the records I bought. And actually, I also want to mention an event on the 31st of March, this March, in which I'm featuring some of my favorite Japanese records and a classic album Sunday's event with filmmaker Nick Dwyer. The London premiere of his A Century in Sound film series tells the stories behind the 100-year culture of Japan's listening cafes, often referred to as jazz kisas. And it's screening at the Barbican this weekend, but that's sold out. But the following weekend, A Century in Sound is screening at the Rio in Dalston , the Rio Cinema. I think it's on the 29th. Yeah, it's an amazing series. And I'm honored that Classic Album Sundays is actually featured in it. Nick has done an amazing job with it. And the films are gorgeous. The stories about all these great listening bars dotted around Tokyo and around Japan are just so beautiful. And yeah, the screening should be fantastic. And he's also hosting a lot of events. On Tuesday, the 31st of March, I'll be joining Nick at Space Talk, a listening bar near the Barbican on St. John Street . It's a free event, but get there before the start time at 7pm so you can get a seat. And Nick and I will talk about my experiences in Japan. And I'll play some of my favorite records by Japanese musicians, starting from the 1980s and my stint in Japan as a radio DJ in 1989. And all the collecting I've done over the three decades I've been touring in Japan as a DJ as well.

Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy broadcast the 261st episode of Balearic Breakfast on her Mixcloud on February 10th , 2026. ABOUT THIS EPISODE Two weeks ago, Colleen published the Request line for the 2026 International Women's Day Special Marathon show. As ever, the Family gathered together and requested songs by Women, and some of them were really poignant ones. Speaking about this, when listening to this episode, you'll feel a warmth, and a certain kind of reassuring tenderness we did not have in the previous episodes celebrating Women (for instance, a song like Eva Cassidy's "Time is a healer" lets you feel what I'm talking about here°... Of course, Colleen always takes the time to let music enter your soul slowly, not rushing anything, but today, that feeling felt even stronger in the first two hours of the show, and even when the music got stronger, you felt that female embrace, that feeling that whatever happened you were not all alone in your shoes... Of course, the show spanned decades of music and incorporated artists that few may remember, like the great Celi Bee (if you do not know her, I urge you to listen to her 1978 " Fly me on the wings of love " album, which is absolutely splendid! Finally, on the chat, the Family was happy as ever, and we even celebrated our dear Friend's Birthday (Kay, you're the one I'm thinking about right now ^^), even having people listening live for the first time ever, like Kong718 who wrote "This is my first time catching Cosmo ib the "radio" since the loft NYC to move to Europe. I used to bring her flowers to the studio at NYU. After 30 years, it's still a pleasure to hear her voice 'over the air'. Life is coming full circle." Other friends only listen to Colleen when she does longer shows... laughs! Just like ND Stardust, who wrote "Is this the women's day show? I just realized this is the only live I've made every year because it's longer and I get to tune in from the states"! Well, I'm sure you can feel the dedication here! Today’s Balearic Breakfast International Women’s Day 4 hour marathon is now up on my Mixcloud. Its the fifth annual IWD celebration and thanks to all who contributed songs by women musicians from a wide spectrum of age, ethnicity and musical genre. Its a truly life-affirming show spanning the classic to the contemporary. And a huge thank you to all who joined me for the 4-hour live stream on my Mixcloud Live. Thank you for your continued support and musical conversations. Happy International Women’s Day (or month :)) Listen back to the 261st episode of Balearic Breakfast: THE PLAYLIST ( 1987 ) Priscilla Herdman – Ain't I a Woman ( 2026 ) Satnam Galsian   – Dishonour ( 2024 ) Maria Rita   – Lamento Africa/Rictus ( 2021 ) Sissi Rada   – Blueback Tomb ( 1995 ) Akiko Yano   – Omoide No Sampo-michi (Promenade of Memories) ( 2025 ) Cassandra Jenkins   – Only Relaxation ( 2004 ) Rosie Gaines   – In Spirit ( 2023 ) Christie Dashiell   – Ancestral Folk Song ( 1998 ) Eva Cassidy   – Time is a Healer ( 2024 ) Caoilfhionn Rose   – Josephine ( 2026 ) Elisabeth Melander   – Jardin Botanico ( 2026 ) Atlantis Dubois   – Personal ( 1971 ) Carole King   – Music ( 1972 ) Esther Marrow   – And When I Die ( 2006 ) Heather Headley   – Am I Worth It ( 2024 ) Allysha Joy   – Raise Up ( 2016 ) Massive Attack ft. Hope Sandoval   – The Spoils ( 1982 ) Adele Bertei & Richard Edson   – Once in a Lifetime ( 2022 ) Khan ft. Julee Cruise   – Say Goodbye ( 1984 ) Sade   – Why Can't We Live Together ( 2006 ) Mirah   – La Familia (Guy Sigsworth Mix) ( 1996 ) Björk   – Isobel (Deodato Remix) ( 1980 ) The Jones Girls   – At Peace with Woman ( 1979 ) Linda Clifford   – Don't Give It Up ( 2024 ) Konkolo Orchestra ft. Nongoma Ndlovu   – Future Pasts ( 2013 ) Solange   – Losing You ( 2007 ) Electribe 101   – Talking with Myself (Frankie Knuckles Remix) ( 1989 ) Janet Jackson   – Rhythm Nation (The Reflex Version) ( 2026 ) Asha Puthli & Say She She   – Pawa! (Boys Shorts Remix) ( 2025 ) Lady Blackbird   – Purify (Crooked Man Remix) ( 2024 ) Crazy P   – Portals ( 1979 ) Celi Bee   – Love Drops ( 1980 ) Two Tons O' Fun   – I Got the Feeling ( 1993 ) Stephanie Mills   – All Day, All Night (Def Mix) ( 1989 ) Adeva   – Respect (Dancin' Danny D Remix) ( 2024 ) Maya Blandy   – It's in You (Puerto Montt City Orchestra) ( 2024 ) Dee Diggs   – Go Deep (Extended Mix) ( 1999 ) Abacus ft Naomi   – Callin' U (Friendly Mix) ( 2025 ) Philippa ft Séna   – Cloud Walking ( TBR ) Kridelka, Chanda & The Passengers   – Give It to 'Em (Cosmodelica Remix) ( 1979 ) Diana Ross   – The Boss ( 1971 ) Nina Simone   – My Way ( 2022 ) Deniece Williams   – Free (Dave Lee Re-Grooved Mix)

Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy broadcast the 250th episode of Balearic Breakfast on her Mixcloud on December 09th 2025. ABOUT THIS EPISODE After hosting the last Loft Party of the year ("the best sounding room in London" according to Adam ^^), Colleen came back and hosted a brand new episode of Balearic Breakfast, blending new tracks and some older requests she did not play before. This episode was a great one as it allowed the listener to picture some glittering visuals, and we all were hapilly surprised as, despite a busy week-end, Colleen was in top form, proposing us a mini-mix that really made us all lose our heads! The Wow moment of this episode without the shadow of a doubt! I would like to thank our friends from sylk_hifi_lounge , Marc and Peter, and also my dear Simon, for sharing nice pictures from the London Loft Party! And don't forget also to follow Iain Mackie for more great pictures of the audio setups on which Colleen has the chance to play ^^ This morning’s Balearic Breakfast is now up on my Mixcloud and features some new music from Pete Blaker, Another Taste, Prins Thomas, Alina Bzhezhinska and a new revision from The Reflex in remembrance of two musical legends who passed in 2025. On today’s show is also mysterious white label that only says ‘unofficial edits’ and that I played on Sunday at our London Loft party. So many people asked about it today on the Mixcloud Live chat and at the party. If you have any info, do let me know and thank you to Darren Morgan for lending it to me. I don’t want to give it back I also want to thank the London Loft team for their positivity and creativity and their endurance. We had an incredible party on Sunday – it truly reminded us of The Light days with David Mancuso. One person had so much fun in our ‘kitchen’ area that she didn’t even know the party was in the next room! Our next party will be in March and you can head to loftparty.org  to join the friendship train for future party invitations. Next week I will not be streaming Balearic Breakfast as I’ll be en route back from Thailand where I’m playing with @norihisamaekawa on Sunday at @wonderfruit (DJ Nori supported Larry Levan and Francois K on their Rainbow tour in Japan 35 years ago). Nori and I have played back-to-back a few times in Japan and I’m really looking forward to our 4-hour back to back set at Wonderfruit Festival. And if you don’t have New Years Eve plans, I’m spinning with the @voices_radio crew in The Galkery at @marestreetmarket Kings Cross in London, bringing in the new year on the 31st December. I’ll be back on Tuesday, the 23rd December streaming Balearic Breakfast on my Mixcloud Live so I hope you can join us. Thanks for listening. Listen back to the 250th episode of Balearic Breakfast: THE PLAYLIST ( 2025 ) Alina Bzhezhinska – Cala Pada ( 2025 ) Andrew Wasylyk   –   First Moonbeams of Adulthood ( 2024 ) Amanda Whiting   –   Liminal ( 2025 ) JJ Cale   –   Durango (Flying Mojito Bros Refrito) ( 2025 ) Sewell & The Gong   –   Communion Phase (Sounds of Slackness Holy Spirit Dub) ( 1983 ) Paula Moore   –   Valparaiso ( 2026 ) Diogo Strausz   –   Com Magia ( 2025 ) MDA Grooves   –   Cristo Rei ( 2025 ) D'Angelo & Roberta Flack   –   Feel Like Makin' Love (Reflex Revision) ( 2025 ) Prins Thomas   –   Heartbreak ( 2025 ) Mad Disco Edits  –  Good to Me ( TBR ) Billy Bogus & Daddario   –   Drunk on Guard (In Flagranti Remix) ( 2025 ) Aura Safari & Jimi Tenor   – Your Magic Touch (Reverso 68 Dub) ( NOL ) Sade   –   I Never Thought I'd See You Again (Sumantri Deep House Mix) ( 2025 ) Pete Blaker   –   Richie ( 2003 ) Salif Keita   –   Madan (Martin Solveig Remix) ( 2024 ) Lex Athens   –   Without You ( 2021 ) Return To Forever - Rumble (Fred P. Journey Interpretation) ( TBR ) Another Taste ft Arp Frique & The Perpetual Singers  –  Peace Call ANNOUNCEMENTS (from Colleen's presentation) I'm recovering today from a glorious London loft weekend. We just had a great second party in our new home and I want to thank our incredible team. It's really great working with positive people to create something truly joyous and they're just a wonderful group of people. I can't say enough good things about them and of course, huge thanks to all who joined us on the dance floor as well. What a vibe it was. The next party will be in March and just a heads up, we had to close reservations for the last party as we reached capacity, so the early birds truly caught the worm. So you can join the friendship train over at loftparty.org  if you want to join us for future parties. And later in the show, I'll play a couple of tunes from the party, including one white label that had some people clamoring for an ID. (...) Next week. I will not be streaming because we are coming back from Thailand. We're going to be at Wonder Fruit Festival , playing on Sunday back to back with DJ Nori . And Nori is a legendary Japanese DJ. He played Larry Levan and Francois K on the Rainbow Tour. I think it was 1990. I think that was Larry Levan's first, maybe only tour actually of Japan. And so I'll be playing back to back with him. We've done it many times, but it's been a long time. So I'm really looking forward to that. So yes, no show, sadly, but I will be back. I think it's the 23rd of December. So two days before Christmas, I'll be hosting another live stream. So sorry about no show next week. We can't stream it because we're not around. So there you go. (...) And then on New Year's Eve, I'll be spinning with Voices Radio in the gallery at Mare Street, King's Cross in London . And I believe we're bringing in a Danley sound system for that as well. Info is on my socials and I hope you can join us to bring in the new year. No plans yet for NYE? We’ve got you covered. We’re handing the keys to the first floor over to our friends at @voices_radio  for their famous New Year’s Eve takeover at Mare Street Market King’s Cross. @colleencosmomurphy  takes the lead on a specially installed Danley system engineered by Iain Mackie - the kind of setup that feels like a warm hug on the friendliest dancefloor in the city. Joining her upstairs are @helenastardj   @mariahanlon  and Cara Crosby, with a full crew of Voices residents running things alongside them. A proper NYE send-off, top to bottom. Expect balloons, midnight surprises, legendary DJs, delicious cocktails and snacks courtesy of MSM and a room full of people ready to bring in the new year properly. All ticket holders get 20% off food with a COMPLIMENTARY glass of fizz on us to kick off the night. Just show your ticket to redeem. 🥂 Let’s bring in 2026 the right way. The Glittering Milky Way… Far above us… Up there, in the Sky, a million little stars shine almost every night, sometimes brighter, sometimes dimmer… Without a single sound, they shine with all their might, trying their best, night after night, to enlighten the dark sky… When thinking about it, sometimes I wonder… Do they know? Do they think about the destiny that empowers them in their shining journey? As the silence rumbles in this precise moment, I tend to laugh at myself, thinking that, of course, it’s a stupid question… But you know, you never really know anything about the Cosmic Laws of our universe… I wasn’t able to sleep last night and, thinking about this last episode, I felt it perfectly illustrated how destiny empowers people, things, making them shine to the best of their capabilities… Once again, and it didn’t happen for quite some time, Destiny came knocking upon my Door… I always thought Colleen was a shining star, and I even told her once, “To me, you’re a Leader, I should write about it one day, you know…”  And here we are, on this Tuesday morning, with that wonderful playlist, perfectly presenting the moments Colleen experienced a few hours ago, allowing her to express her very musical soul and sharing it with us, once again, once more, constantly, calmly, with that detached assurance, that strong yet indirect determination… Yes, every aspect of what Colleen does shows the picture of what a Leader should be, of what a true leader is… In a dark sky, Colleen sets a picture, a vision, a reality, that of a family united in music, with human values that she shares both directly and indirectly… She never imposes things; she has distance in the way she interacts with people, in the way she behaves, in the way she presents herself to an audience, in the way she speaks when presenting the show… She does not consider herself above any of us, she blends within every single one of our souls by receiving our requests, by making suggestions when we can’t find the right songs, even making surprises, and she’s both passionate about her craft and generous. This generosity shines through during the show, essentially when she speaks but also when she plays music, keeping the light distance so present, allowing her to bow in front of us while, at the same time, showing us how perfection is done… Just like a star, she does not shine only for herself, egocentrically showing her beauty… She shines through because she’s on a journey, a journey through the light, knowing that she couldn’t do what she does without the sky that she loves so much, despite the darkness it holds... And, more importantly, she shines through because she knows there are other beautiful stars out there ready to shine along with her, all of them helping her to illuminate the Milky Way… Yes, Colleen is our Captain because she empowers us all, sharing with us the best of what we are, creating unity, sharing joy, understanding that We’re One, and allowing every member of the family to be loved and recognised… And, sometimes, I wonder… Does she know that? Does she feel as a… But, suddenly, as the silence rumbles in this precise moment, I laugh at myself thinking that, of Course, it’s a stupid question… But you know, you never really know anything about the Cosmic Laws of our universe… Shine On Colleen, after all, what is the Milky Way if not a Disco Ball? Who cares? Let’s dance some more on a beautiful musical beach… Sooner or later, we’ll vanish in time… Let’s make the best out of it while we still can… To Our Glittering Moments… ABOUT THE SONGS (from Colleen's presentation) Ukrainian-Polish harpist Alina Bzhezhinska with Cala Pada , the first of a four-part series of meditative compositions that will be released on the first Friday of each month on Alina's Bandcamp and all proceeds will go to Tepli Dolony 'Warm Palms' , that's what it translates to, and that's a Ukrainian charity for children providing art therapy and emotional support for those who have been displaced by the war. Bzhezhinska has been supporting the organization for some time and she'll travel to Ukraine this December to perform some concerts and work directly with the children, and she's such a great person and an incredible artist. Her last album, Whispers of Rain with Tulsi, it's been on repeat on my headphones, just can't get enough of it. It was even the soundtrack to yesterday's post-London loft Epsom Salt Soak, and her music certainly eases the pressure that we sometimes feel during the holidays, so I urge you to check out her music.   This next one is from Scottish producer and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Wasylyk , who has released loads of records on labels like Athens of the North, and more recently, Clay Pipe Music, which specializes in atmospheric music with a strong sense of place. Andrew is also a member of Scottish rock band, Idlewild . But for his solo project, his sound is more ECM, like this new one released last month, First Moonbeams of Adulthood . Amanda Whiting with Liminal . And that's from her eighth album, The Liminality of Her . And that was released last year on First Word Records. And Amanda Whiting is a classically trained harpist who, like Alina Bzhezhinska , has found inspiration from jazz harpists like Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane. And thanks to Luca Ospitone in Sardinia for that request. And speaking of Alice Coltrane , music journalist Andy Beda has a new book out just in time for Christmas called Cosmic Music, The Life, Art and Transcendence of Alice Coltrane . And it's on White Rabbit here in the UK. And there's limited editions signed by the author. And I just bought one for myself this morning for Christmas. JJ Cale with Durango . And I've always loved that spacey, spacey blues sound of that track. And we heard the Flying Mojito Brothers Refrito mix . And I'm glad they took that one on. I've been listening to JJ Cale quite a lot lately, actually. And his music always reminds me of these long road trips I used to take across America with my friend Hugh Foley, who is also from Oklahoma, like JJ Cale. And he's the one that, of course, turned me on to JJ, who's actually from Oklahoma City, although I thought it was Muskogee because he has that song, Okie from Muskogee. Anyways, love, love, love that song. And I love that kind of refrito from the Flying Mojito Brothers. The Sounds of Slackness, Holy Spirit Dub of Communion Phase by Sewell and the Gong , which is a musical project from ornithologist and illustrator Matt Sewell , who is also the deep cut compiler of the A crushing glow comps. And his collaborator on this project is multi-instrumentalist and fellow astral traveler Chris Tate. And the original of the remix we are listening to now is on the Seawell and Gung new album, Patron Saint of Elsewhere, which I've played over and over and over again. I love the entire album. Okay, I love this next request from Victor Olteanu, who always turns me on to something new. And this time, it's Paula Moore , a classically trained American singer who relocated to Paris and performed in the jazz clubs in the late 1970s and early 80s. And she released one album in 1983 under her name. And then in this century, a couple of albums as Bird Paula . And here's a little fun fact for you. Some of you may remember the French electronic dance producer Jackson, who was active in the mid 1990s through to the early 90s. Well, Paula Moore is his mother. This is from her 1983 album High and Low Paula Moore with Valparaiso Diogo Strausz with Com Magia . And Diogo Strausz is a producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who lives between Paris and Sao Paulo. And he's released a couple of albums, including last year's Samba from Outer Space . And he also released the Caramba EP on Razor and Tape last year. And the song we heard Com Magia is from his forthcoming album, Danse Para Se Salvar , coming out in January on Favorite Recordings. Cristo Rei by MDA Groove . And that used to be a collaborative project in the mid 1990s. But at the moment, it's just Joseph Salvador . He's been very, very prolific, loads of releases over the last year or so. And this one just came out last week on the Riomantic EP on Universo Positivo. And you can find that over on Bandcamp. As the year draws to a close, we often think about the people we lost. And this year, like every year, we lost some musical legends who passed to the next realm, including D'Angelo and Roberta Flack . So in remembrance, The Reflex has created a poignant rework of D'Angelo's cover of Roberta Flax from his album, Voodoo.   Prins Thomas with Heartbreak from his new album, Thomas Moen Hermansen , which is his real name. And I believe this is the Norwegian producer and DJ 's 10th album. His debut is called just Prins Thomas, and it was released 15 years ago. So that's quite a lot of music on top of all the remixes he has done. And you can find that on Bandcamp just in time for Christmas for the new disco fan in your life. I'm not sure what the original is, but we heard Mad Disco edits with Good to Me . And it's the second release on the Melodies of Love record label from Liverpool. And it just came out last week on Vinyl Only, and it's a limited pressing. So head on over to Melodies of Love Bandcamp if you want to snag yourself a copy. Drunk on Guard , an electro-funk collaboration from Billy Bogus and Daddario . And they've spent years working together across music production, sound design, and DJ performances. And we're listening to the Swiss duo In Flagranti's remix. And that's coming out next week on Kodak Records. Okay, I'm loving this new this one. It's not new actually came out last year. It's a Reverso 68 dub  of Your Magic Touch  from Jimi Tenor & Aura Safari . And that's a band from Perugia that fuses jazz and new disco, much like their counterparts in Napoli. And last year, they did a collaboration with Finnish musician and producer Jimi Tenor . And word has it they've just recorded over a dozen new songs. So looking forward to that on the horizon. And it's great hearing this Reverso 68 together again. That's a collaboration between Phil Meissen and Pete Herbert. And this is their dub. A lovely new Deep House mix of Sade's I Never Thought I'd See You Again from Sumantri Limon from Indonesia. He also goes under the aliases Nima and Optika. I remember getting my first Sade boot of that song by The Muskmen back in 1995. Gosh, Sade's always sounds good though. All the bootlegs sound really great because she's just fantastic. Richie by Pete Baker . And that's from his forthcoming album Swimming Limbs coming out on Love Universal Music in March 2026. And don't forget, I did an interview with Pete and we have an exclusive mix from him . That's on a May edition of Balearic Breakfast. (...) His album Swimming Limbs is coming out next year on Love Universal Music. This is another older tune, a song that originally came out on 2002 on Salif Keita 's album Mofu. And the Malian singer had this song, Madan. And then Martin Solveig, the French producer, gave it a remix, I guess it was a year after, about 2003. And it also came out on the French DJ and producer's album Sur La Terre. Love this one. Haven't played it in a while. And it sounded great at the London loft party. So I thought you'd like it on Balearic Breakfast.   We had Without You by Lex from Athens. That's Alex Andrikopoulos . And that was released on and he's done the releases for Lange Records, King Street, Black Riot. And that's from an EP of the same name, which came out on Delusions of Grandeur label last year. I'm going to send that one out to Greca Mac because when I listened to it, I thought, you know, Greca is just going to love this one. And sure enough, she was just loving it over on the chat group. So sending that one out to you. Okay, well that one had loads of people coming up at the London loft party on Sunday when I played that. It's not my record. I wish it was. It's my friend Darren Morgan's. He came over on this week and played me that. I'm like, I gotta play this on Sunday. And I must bring this to Thailand. It's a white label. It just says unofficial edits. I'm really sorry. I still don't know what it is. If any of you do, you can always message me and let me know because I definitely need a vinyl copy of that. It was just so, so, so great. So I want to thank Darren Morgan for lending that to me. And to all of you on the chat group who are asking about what that was, I'm really sorry. You know, I don't really I don't know what it is, but had to play it and lots of you that are on the chat saying you remember that on Sunday. And yeah, it was quite a moment. Ed. Note: Our Friend Steve Mack shared the information about this very track on Colleen's Mixcloud, saying: " That massive tune is "Return To Forever - Rumble (Fred P. Journey Interpretation)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqipt3eKyeE I first heard it on Luke Una's Essential mix not long ago). I wanted to leave you with one last song. And this is a lovely song, a new one from Another Taste . Another Taste is Bobby Van Putten and crew, a whole band from the Netherlands. And Bobby Van Putten, along with Danilo Plesso are the two guys behind the label Space Grapes . And they put out loads of live music, boogie music, dance music, disco, jazz, funk under different monikers like Mad Honey, Gal, XTC, Jambone . And Another Taste is Bobby along with a few other members. And I am interviewing them next year, early, I would say late January. They'll be doing a mix for the show because I'll be away in Japan. And yeah, it's really great. They have a new album coming out. And this is from that album, which is coming out next year. It's a follow-up to their self-titled debut last year. And they have a new album coming out in February. And this is the second single called Peace Call . It's Another Taste featuring Arp Freak and the Perpetual Singers with Peace Call. So thank you so much for tuning in. And I'll see you in a couple of weeks.

Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy broadcast the 260th episode of Balearic Breakfast on her Mixcloud on February 3rd , 2026. ABOUT THIS EPISODE Following an incredibly uplifting, and according to some of the friends who were there, life-reaffirming Loft Party held in Perugia, Italy, held on the last weekend of February, and just a few hours after launching the request line for the International Women's Day Special on her socials, which will be held on March, 10th, Colleen presented the 260th episode of our Beloved show. This show, like a lot of others on which Colleen worked before, has that intricate soul, that slightly estranged, cosmic feeling, something like a worried renewal in the making. Knowing that 2026 is the year of the horse makes sense when you listen to this episode. If it is slightly uncertain or weird, it takes you to other spaces, allowing you to relax while anticipating what's coming next... It also has joyful moments, but they are not that "free"... But we'll see that later on... This morning’s Balearic Breakfast is now up on my Mixcloud and features your requests and also new music from Chris Todd, Jim Baron and Ben Smith’s @white_elephant_uk @fishgodeeper @amydouglassings @hardtondiscoqueen @massimilianopagliara_ @simonpeter_music @dinaogon @cantomamusic @pepelink @kikonavarrodj . And as always, the show spans the musical spectrum from ambient, psychedelic soul, 80’s boogie, deep house dubs and more. Also thanks to Crazy P’s Chris and Jim for the invitation to play with them at NIghttales a couple of weeks ago and for giving me a copy of their new White Elephant album on vinyl! Next week’s show will be the annual International Women’s Day music marathon and thanks to all who have already requested tunes celebrating women’s musicianship. Looking forward to our next musical journey together on Tuesday. Listen back to the 260th episode of Balearic Breakfast: THE PLAYLIST ( 2025 ) Sewell & The Gong – Quiet Storm (Ruf Dug Remix) ( 2018 ) Gondwana Orchestra ft Dwight Trible   – Love is Everywhere ( 1981 ) Mai Yamane   – (You and Me Still Keep On) Fall in Love ( 2026 ) Simon Peter   – Still Going ( 2003 ) N.E.R.D.   – Provider (Zero 7 Remix) ( 2026 ) White Elephant   – Lovely Day ( 2018 ) The Orb & David Gilmour   – Metallic Spheres (Gaudi Remix) ( 2026 ) Dina Ogon   – Orden Brann ( 1974 ) American Gypsy   – Inside Out ( 2024 ) Thee Sacred Souls   – Live for You ( 2023 ) David Mathmos   – Encore Une Histoire D'Amour ( 1992 ) Leftfield   – More Than I Know ( 2019 ) Blank & Jones with Jan Loechel   – Secret Hideaway ( 2026 ) Cantoma ft Minako   – Further ( 1977 ) Jesse Henderson   – I Did It Again ( 1980 ) Truth   – International Dancing ( 2026 ) Pepe Link & Kiko Navarro ft Afeerika   – Koko Ngbele ( 2026 ) Fish Go Deep and Tracey K Love   – Cloth (Dub) ( 2026 ) Hard Ton & Amy Douglas   – Fill the Hours (Massimiliano Pagliara Remix) ( 2011 ) Lovebirds ft Stee Downes   – Want You in My Soul

Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy broadcast the 259th episode of Balearic Breakfast on her Mixcloud on February 24 th, 2026. ABOUT THIS EPISODE Although this one wasn't announced on her socials this morning, we knew Colleen would be live today because of the request line posted there last Saturday! Hurray Hurray, it was a Holy Holy Day, laughs! Also, Colleen's agenda is full, as one would expect. She played last Friday with Crazy P at Night Tales loft . In any case, today's episode was quite interesting, with a slow, evolving pace that made me think about a few things, like how you behave when life gets tough, how you react, and how you move on. But we'll delve into that in the listening section of today's post, and you may even learn a thing or two today! This morning’s Balearic Breakfast is now up on my Mixcloud and features your requests, some new music from @fsqofficial @prinsthomas @justsayfouk @jimpster_gram @slammode @jillscott.official @joutra___ @djbernardopinheiro and a tribute to the late and great salsa pioneer Willie Colón. It was great hosting the radio show live from my record room after so many weeks trotting around the globe. Thanks to all who joined me on the live stream for making my morning so special. And of course, thank you for your requests - we had so many that they will tip over onto next week’s show. Just giving you a heads up that our annual International Women’s Day Balearic Breakfast marathon special will be broadcast live on Tuesday, the 10th March. As I have a lot going on at the moment, I’m posting up the request line this Saturday as I need to get a head start on putting it together. Please get on your thinking caps! Wishing you all a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing some of your at our @lastnote_party this coming Saturday in Perugia. Ciao! Listen back to the 259th episode of Balearic Breakfast: THE PLAYLIST ( 2022 ) Patricia Wolf – Woodland Encounter ( 2026 ) Slam Mode  – Mojo ( 1981 ) Willie Colón  – Oh Qué Será ( 1971 ) Willie Colón & Héctor Lavoe  – La Murga ( 1974 ) Fred Wesley & The JBS (ft Rev Jesse Jackson)  – Same Beat ( 1967 ) Letta Mbulu  – What is Wrong with Groovin ( 2026 ) Jill Scott  – Beautiful People ( 2025 ) Matt Johnson ft. Valerie Etienne  – Flowers in Their Hair ( 2025 ) Payfone  – Movin' On ( 2022 ) Stella  – Pourquoi ( 2026 ) Doe Paoro  – Teach Us Of Endings (Auntie Flo Extended Version) () Joutro e Pinheiro  – Sandra ( 2017 ) Ambala ft Laid Back  – Walk with the Dreamers (Leo Mas, Fabrice, Giorgio Li Calzi & Luca Donini Remix) played in honour of the Buddhist Monks , Walk for Peace ( 2025 ) FSQ, Moniquea, XL Middleton  – Feeling Wide (Prins Thomas Diskomiks) ( 2005 ) BoomBox  – Stereo ( 2025 ) Tigerbalm ft Joi N'Juno  – Mexicana (Pete Herbert Remix) ( 2026 ) Jimpster  – Crispy Pancakes ( TBR ) Fouk & 79.5  – Reverie (Instrumental) ( 2023 ) Nyamekye Junction  – Too Many Bags (Kaidi's Remix) ( 1986 ) Willie Colón  – Set Fire (Latin Jazzbo Version by Yvonne Turner) ANNOUNCEMENTS (from Colleen's presentation) Our International Women's Day special will be held on Tuesday, the 10th of March, and I'm putting up the request line this coming Saturday, as I have a lot going on, and I need over a week to put it together. So I'm heading over to Berlin on Friday, the 6th of March for an International Women's Day Bonanza with Lakuti Tamasumo and Suze Ijo at Panorama Bar, and if you're in Berlin, so please join us, and then a couple of days later, we have our London Loft Party, so start thinking of those International Women's Day requests now, please. (...) And also looking forward to seeing some of you at our sold-out last note party in Italy this weekend. If you're making summer plans, and would like to join us at our summer party, it will be on Saturday, the 6th of June in Perugia. And you can email info@lastnote.com  for more info. And the following Sunday, I'm heading to another following Friday, I'm heading to Panorama Bar on Friday, the 6th. And then a couple of days later, it's our London loft party. And you can join our friendship train for reservations at loftparty.org . MORE ABOUT THE SONGS Woodland Encounter by Portland, Oregon, musician and field recordist Patricia Wolf , and that's from her second album, 2022's See Through , which is about the spirit of rebirth in contrast to her debut, I'll Look for You and Others , which was written in response to the passing of a loved one. Wolf says, "after a long period of grief, I have been hoping to find my to a place of lightness, peace, playfulness, curiosity, and sensuality again. What I was surprised and pleased to find is that for the most part, I had" . Now, I had never heard of her until Rick Van Veen made this request, and I love getting turned on to new music and artists, so thank you, Rick. I listened to the entire album this morning and loved it and highly recommend it. It's a great fit with my recent Pauline Oliveros reading and listening as well.   This is a request from Tomohiro Yamada in Osaka, Japan for Slam Mode , a New Jersey duo comprised of Angel Rodriguez and Michael Cole . They've been releasing records for 35 years, and they came onto my radar with their Tabula Rasa EP on their own label, Deep Worldwide Music , in 1997, and later that year, they did the Fiat Mistura EP for S piritual Life Music when I was working at the label. Their sound is deep and transcendent, whether it's for the mind or the body, and always for the soul. I had them up on my Club 89 radio show around that time as well. They have a new one out, released last week, and it's called the Acoustic Session EP . It's on my friend Antonio Ocasio's label, Tribal Winds , and you can find it on Bandcamp. This is Slam Mode with Mojo. La Murga from Willie Colon and Hector Lavo 's 1970 album, Asalto Navideño , which means Christmas Assault, perhaps a more honest description of the holiday period, and that was requested by Marcos Costumato as salsa pioneer Willie Colon passed the next realm this past weekend. The trombonist, singer, songwriter, producer, and actor was born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents and was signed to one of the most significant labels for Latin American music, Fania Records, when he was only 15 years old. A couple of years later, he released his first album, El Malo, with singer Hector Lavo , who was also Louis Vegas' uncle. As a composer, Colon combined rock, jazz, salsa with the rhythms of traditional music from African descendants in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Brazil, and he was also an advocate for Puerto Rican people in America. He used his songs to depict their lives in the United States, and he also reflected and paid tribute to their cultural contributions, and along with his career in music, he was an activist. He served as a member of the Latino Commission on AIDS, and he even worked with New York City Mayor David Dinkins, but it's his music he will be remembered for most, as he was one of the most influential Latino artists, selling over 30 million records, and one of the songs he will be remembered for most is the one we heard before, Oh, Que Sera , the opening song to his 1981 romantic salsa album, Fantasmas, named one of the 50 greatest salsa albums of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. Rest in Paradise, Descanse en el Paraíso, Willie Colon, and we will have something else from him later in the show.   Well, we also lost civil rights activist and leader, Reverend Jesse Jackson . May he rest in power. He courageously stood for president in the 1980s, I remember that well, opening the way for Barack Obama decades later. One of my favorite authors, James Baldwin , wrote at the time, "Jackson's presence presents the American Republic with questions and choices it has spent all its history until this hour trying to avoid, and nothing will ever again be what it was before" . Jackson became an activist when he grew up poor in North Carolina, and he excelled at school. He needed a book for an assignment and it wasn't available in the, quote, coloreds only library, unquote, and he was denied access to the whites only library. He staged a sit down and was arrested, and that moment in 1960 marked the beginning of his civil rights activism. Sean E requested this song that samples Reverend Jackson reciting the poem, "I Am Somebody", which he also recited on Sesame Street. It's Fred Wesley and the JBs with Same Beat Part One .   South African singer Letta Mbulu with her 1967 hit penned by Hugh Masekela , What Is Wrong With Groovin? And it was released a few years after both Mbulu and Masekela left their native country due to the brutal apartheid regime. And as an African woman, she had a hard time trying to make a living from her art in the USA in the 1960s. But she was resolute, and she performs that song with fire. It addresses social conformity, controlling behavior, and anti-discrimination. And thank you to Steve Wakley for that request. Philadelphia poet, singer, songwriter, actress, Jill Scott . She's back with a new album called To Whom This May Concern , her sixth album since her incredible debut back in 2000. And it's her first album in over a decade. And I listened to it this morning. It's gorgeous. The birds were still trying to get in, so I guess they liked that one too. It's rooted in community, reflection, and sonic exploration. And I just love her soaring vocals and melodies. We heard the first single, Beautiful People , and thanks to Poppy Shepard for that request. Flowers in Their Hair by Matt Johnson , featuring Valerie Etienne on vocals. And the Matt Johnson we just heard is not the thus Matt Johnson, but the British keyboardist, songwriter, and producer who was in Jamiroquai . And over the last five years, he's released a couple of solo albums, including last year's Warrior Princess, which features a song we just heard. And thank you to Constantinos Folias in Greece for that request.   After over a decade of releasing chuggy, grooving singles on labels like Golf Channel, Lange, and their own label, Otis Records, Payfone released their first album, Lunch , last year. It's a great album, originals without samples, down and mid-tempos, great grooves, and a lot of collaborations with singers. If you want to find out more, I interviewed Payfone frontman Phil Passera for The Balearic Breakfast Show on the 17th of June. And Phil also provided an exclusive vinyl mix, so you can find it archived on my Mixcloud. Here's a song from that album that hasn't been played on the show before, and was requested by Barry Bernitz in Washington, D.C., featuring Willis Earl Beal on vocals, Payphone with Movin' On . Pourquoi, by Parisian-born, Berlin-based singer and DJ, Stella Zechri . And it's from Stella's 2022 album, Détends-toi. And the title cut is killer, too. We've played it on the show before. Now, I expect you spotted it's a cover of Carly Simon's Why, her 1982 hit that was penned and produced by Sheiks Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards. And thank you to Victor Altenew in Romania for that request. The Auntie-Flo extended version of Teach Us of Endings by Joe Paolo, I should say, the Costa Rica-based singer-songwriter, sound healer, who was born in America as Sonia Jill Kreitzer. And she's released three Joe Paolo solo albums. And earlier this month, Auntie Flo, that was Brian D'Souza, released two remixes on his Bandcamp, and you can head over there if you want vinyl copies. I'm sure they won't be around for long. It's a great collab, as Auntie Flo, like Joe Paolo, also seeks to create acoustic ecologies that explore the psychological and physical benefits of sound, and that's something I'm really researching at the moment, too. Thank you to Kieran McCann in Glasgow for that request. A rework of a song called Sandra by Joutro A. Pinheiro , and that's Brazil-based DJs and producers Joutro Mundo and Bernardo Pinheiro , who've been doing some faithful and soulful edits and reworks of Brazilian classics. I just love their work. And I've searched my inbox and cannot find out how I got this. I guess it's coming out soon, so put on a Google alert for that one. I think I will, too. This next request is from Fuzzy Dunlop, in honor of those wonderful Buddhist monks, their rescue dog, and their walk for peace. I'm sure some of you know, but some of you may not know about the group of nearly two dozen Buddhist monks from Texas who completed a 2,300-mile or 3,700-kilometer walk for peace to Washington, D.C., setting out on October 26 and finishing earlier this month, on the 10th of February. 108 days in which they promoted mindfulness, compassion, and nonviolence. Fuzzy requested this song, Walk with the Dreamers , by Ambala , featuring Laidback . Ambala is filmized in the cantonment of Thomas Schultz, and Laidback is a Danish duo of white horse fame. And it's an all-star lineup, as this is the remix from Leo Maas, Fabrice, Giorgio Licazi, and Luca Donini, Walk with the Dreamers. Love that one. A forthcoming remix from Norwegian disco don Prins Thomas . A nice, long, extended disco mix of Feeling Wide by FSQ, Moniquea, and XL Middleton. And that's coming out soon on SoulClap Records. Boombox , ending very quickly there. That wasn't my fault. That was from Muscle Shoals , Alabama, Boombox. They're an electronic duo. And we just heard Stereo from their 2005 album, Visions of Backbeat . And they've released four albums since then, including 2018's Western Voodoo. And they describe their sound as a little house, a little blues, a little funk, a little rock, and a whole lot of soul. Blast through Boombox. And thank you to Mark Williams for that request.   Three years after her debut album, International Love Affair , London-based DJ and producer Rose Robinson , aka Tigerbalm , has a new album coming out in April. It's called Bubblegum Discos . And she's been releasing some tropical-tinged singles in the run-up, including one this week with my friend Daisy Bell. But this is another one I wanted to play for you, a remix by Pete Herbert of her single featuring Joy Njunu, Tigerbalm with Mexicana . Crispy Pancakes in honor of last week's Shrove Tuesday. That's Pancake Day here in the UK. You know, so understated, you know, you have Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday in New Orleans, you have Carnival in Brazil and Trinidad. Here we eat pancakes. But I missed it again, because I was just returning from America. But I made up for it this weekend when I made buttermilk blueberry pancakes with maple syrup from trees tapped by my uncle Tim. He makes his own maple syrup in the sugar shack he built in New Hampshire. Anyways, back to the song Crispy Pancakes. It's by Jimster and it's from his Basic Rollers EP on his own Free Range label. And I've long been a fan of Jimpster , nay Jamie O'Dell, great keyboard player, love his beats, his very deep, deep house sound. And also loved his stellar work with the Jam Bound The Bays. So I'm excited as he's invited me to his own manor. I'm playing with him at A Canteen in Chelmsford . That's just outside London on Friday, the 20th of March . So looking forward to a real knees up . Ahead of that, Dutch duo Fouk with an instrumental of a song they did with New York City-based project 79.5 , led by Kate Madison . And the vocals lovely, but I love the instrumentation. It really shines. So we heard the instrumental and that's coming out this week on Boogie Angst. Fantastic lyrics there from Nyameke Junction with Too Many Bags . And we are listening to the Kydie Tatum remix as requested by Rob Calcutt. And Nyameke Junction came about through some chance meetings in Accra, Ghana, and brings together Burundian producer and vocalist Bettina Quest, Ghanaian singer-songwriter Eli Afri and German percussionist and instrumentalist Matic . And their name is from a bustling junction in the Ghanaian capital, as it signifies a musical approach of the band at the junction of their cultural heritages.   Well, until next week's show, I'll leave you with one last request from Susan Chan and Thanos Kotronis for a favorite by Willie Cologne , May He Rest in Paradise. It's Yvonne Turner 's Latin jazz remix of Cologne's Set Fire , also a loft classic. And David Mancuso and I included it on our loft compilations that we produced for Newfonic. It's a gorgeous production and a lovely last song and a tribute. Thanks for listening and looking forward to connecting through music again next Tuesday.

Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy broadcast the 258th episode of Balearic Breakfast on her Mixcloud on February 17 th, 2026. ABOUT THIS EPISODE A few days after playing back to back with her longtime friend François Kevorkian, where she met some members of the Balearic Breakfast Family, and just a few minutes upon embarking the flight that would take her home, Colleen streamed the 258th episode of our beloved show, dedicated to the memory of her late and great friend and mentor, the beloved David Mancuso. As expected, although this was a prerecorded show, it was a very moving episode in which Colleen shared memories of her friend, the letters he wrote to her, and, of course, the music that was central to their relationship. On the chat, we all enjoyed the musical selections, the memories, the tunes, chatting happily with one another as we always do during these special musical moments. Of course, when it comes down to the loft and to David, some members get more excited than others, like for real, and I know someone, a young soul, who was really excited as can be, so much so that he, of course, shared his passion for the unbelievable cartridges that the Koetsus are (more about That Sound here )! Other members shared their memories with us, and Aiko Kitawaga wrote, "I remember David's set at Filmore North at Precious Hall when it was still on the east side. My mother came with me, and we danced together. It's a beautiful memory". Our friend Kay shared, "You Pat Metheny fans should get involved in Classic Album Sundays - There'll be a recording of the album that was featured last year" . Each song played brought memories and valuable insights. There is a great documentary about Sun Ra ( Do the Impossible ), available online. And, with Colleen sharing with us that her mom is clear of cancer, we all joined in a happy listening session! Join us! Yesterday’s Balearic Breakfast annual Loft Anniversary Special is now up on my Mixcloud. For the last five years, each February I have hosted a Loft special, commemorating the party that my dear late friend David Mancuso inaugurated in his own home on the 14th February 1970. For those radio specials I invited members of the worldwide Loft community to share their reflections on The Loft and what it means to them, and for some, their personal memories of David. What he developed and evolved through the healing properties of music has infinite echoes and vibrations on all corners of the globe. He also had a huge impact upon my own life, obviously professionally as we did a lot together, musically hosting Loft parties together in New York, London, throughout Europe, co-producing The David Mancuso presents the Loft Compilations, working together on his record label, radio documentaries and film projects and of course starting a Loft party here in London over twenty years ago. But he also had a massive impact upon me personally and that’s had far more bearing on my life. He was an extraordinary person, a visionary and a musical healer. And he was also a profound friend, one who had my back and who looked out for me in the male-dominated world of dance music and DJs. I feel blessed. So on this show I reflected upon our relationship and shared some of his letters. I’m not going to retell the story of the Loft – you can do that via a podcast featuring an interview with David by my friend Chris Menist on the London Loft website at loftparty.org .  And I’m not going to talk about my first experience at The Loft as I’ve done that in many interviews already. But on this show I shared some of my personal exchanges with David whilst sharing some Loft classics. I hope you will enjoy and thanks for listening. Love saves the day. Listen back to the 258th episode of Balearic Breakfast: OTHER EPISODES DEDICATED TO THE LOFT Have a listen to these other shows dedicated to David's Memory and to The Loft: The 2025 Loft Anniversary special ( click here ); The 2024 Loft Anniversary special ( click here ); The 2023 Loft Anniversary special ( click here ). THE PLAYLIST ( 1968 ) Van Morrison – Astral Weeks ( 1971 ) Alice Coltrane   – Journey in Satchidananda ( 1978 ) Paz   – Kandeen Love Song ( 1984 ) Pat Metheny   – First Circle ( 1963 ) Les Troubadours de Roi Baudoin   – Missa Luba Kyrie ( 2008 ) Alfredo De La Fe   – My Favorite Things (Live) ( 1981 ) The Love Unlimited Orchestra   – Welcome Aboard ( 1975 ) The O'Jays   – Family Reunion ( 1975 ) Harold Melvin   – Wake Up Everybody ( 1972 ) Labelle   – Moon Shadow ( 1973 ) Chuck Mangione   – Land of Make Believe ( 1978 ) Earth Wind & Fire   – That's the Way of the World ( 1977 ) Universal Robot Band   – Dance and Shake Your Tamborine ( 1981 ) Donald Byrd   – Love Has Come Around ( 1980 ) Ben E King   – Music Trance ( 1979 ) Brass Construction   – Music Makes You Feel Like Dancin ( 1969 ) Cat Mother   – Track in A ( 1970 ) Buddy Miles   – Them Changes ( 1970 ) Andwella   – Hold Onto Your Mind ( 1972 ) The Jimmy Castor Bunch   – Creation / It's Just Begun ( 1976 ) The Equals   – Black Skinned Blue-Eyed Boy ( 1973 ) Osibisa   – Happy Children ( 1971 ) Mandrill   – Mandrill ( 1970 ) Sweet Smoke   – Silly Sally ( 1967 ) The Chambers Brothers   – Time Has Come Today ( 1972 ) War   – City Country City COLLEEN'S MEMORIES WITH DAVID... Good morning, Balearicans. I'm Colleen Cosmo Murphy hosting your weekly Balearic Breakfast on my MixCloud Live, and greetings to all gathered over there on the chat and thank you for joining me. For the last five years, each February, I've hosted a loft special commemorating the party that my dear late friend David Mancuso inaugurated in his own home on the 14th of February, 1970. For all of these radio specials, I invited members of the worldwide loft community to share their reflections on the loft and what it means to them, and for some, their personal memories of David. What he developed and evolved through the healing properties of music has infinite echoes and vibrations on all corners of the globe. He also had a huge impact upon my own life. Obviously, professionally, as we did a lot together, we musically hosted loft parties together in New York, London, Europe, co-produced the David Mancuso Presents the Loft compilations, worked together on his record label, radio shows, documentaries, film projects, and of course, we also started a loft party here in London over 20 years ago. But he also had a massive impact upon me personally, and that's had far more bearing on my life. He was an extraordinary person, a visionary, and a musical healer. And he was also a profound friend, one who had my back and who looked out for me in the male-dominated world of music. I feel blessed. So on today's show, I'm going to reflect upon our relationship and share some of his letters to me. I'm not going to retell the story of the loft, and you can do that via a podcast featuring an interview with David by my friend Chris Menest. It's on the London Loft website at loftparty.org . And I'm not going to talk about my first experience at the loft, as I've done that in many interviews already. But today, I'm just going to share some of my personal exchanges with David while sharing some loft classics. The first part of the show is part of the set that I musically hosted for the loft's 50th anniversary party in New York after David's passing. No, I didn't record it, but after playing each record like a good Virgo, I put it back in my record box in order, later wrote it down, and then a year later recorded it at home when we were in the grip of a worldwide pandemic. I've only included a segment of this set, the full set you can hear on my Mixcloud. We'll start with a song from an album that David and I both cherished. In fact, I played it on repeat upon learning that David had passed in November 2016. It's an album that's been there for me for my whole life, as it was recorded the month I was born, and at a time when this Northern Irish musician was living in Cambridge, Massachusetts, not far from my home. Van Morrison with Astral Weeks. Les Troubadours de Roy Beaudoin with the Missa Luba, a version of the Latin Roman Catholic Mass using traditional Congolese songs, and the version we heard performed by a Congolese children's choir in 1963. Ahead of that, some more Loft classics: Pat Metheny with First Circle, Paz, Candine Lovesong, Alice Coltrane, Journey, and Satchitananda, and of course, starting off with Van Morrison, Astral Weeks. Now you can hear the varied sounds that David selected at the Loft, not just disco, and he hated being called the godfather of disco. He played all kinds of music, and at that time was a real vinyl digger. He discovered Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango's Soul Makossa, and that became a hit. Woman by Spanish rock group Barrabas, and the Risco Connection version of McFadden and Whitehead's Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now, which we included on the Loft compilations. By the time I met him in the early 1990s, he wasn't out digging in record shops, but others brought records to him. After David invited me to musically host with him for the first time at the Loft in New York back in 1994, he invited me to be part of his music pool, a monthly gathering of local DJs who shared records, and thus I started introducing records to the Loft, both at these meetings, and also when I was musically hosting at the Loft with David, whether back-to-back, my own sets, or even filling in for him. Paz, Candine Lovesong actually is one of those songs, Karma High Priestess, and Pasha One Kiss are all ones that made it onto the Loft canon. David and I continued our listening sessions after I moved to London, as I helped him prep for our Loft parties over here. It became a routine. Every Friday before the party, we spent hours going through records, some that he had brought with him, and others that I introduced to him. He loved coming to our house and once wrote to me, Adam, and our daughter Ariana, "Looking forward to seeing you all in your home soon. Being with the three of you is always a calm center for me. It's one of those precious moments in my life that I continue to cherish and hold dear in my heart." In 2007, David invited me to work on a record label he had put together, the Loft Audiophile Library of Music. The following year, the label released this record, the first and only release, a live version of My Favorite Things by Cuban violinist Alfredo De La Fe. LaBelle with Moonshadow, ahead of that Harold Melvin, Wake Up Everybody, the OJ's Family Reunion, the Loft Unlimited Orchestra with Welcome Aboard, and starting it all off with Alfredo De La Fe, My Favorite Things, the live version from the Loft Audiophile Library of Music. Now the LaBelle record I just played was given to me by David. It was one of his personal copies. In the summer of 2011, I had gone over to his apartment on Avenue B, climbing up the six flights of stairs all the way to the top in the oppressive New York City summer heat. And at this point in his life, he was making plans for the future. A couple of years earlier, he had written to me asking me to be the chairwoman of the Loft, which he described as a not-for-profit foundation with a mission to protect the principles of the Loft. He wrote, "You are the best person for it. You have proven to be a good friend to me and the Loft. You are also involved in the music scene, DJ, producer, owner of a dance business, audio awareness, the list goes on. You have all the know-hows as I do with all aspects and are faithful to the principles. Also, you are a woman, and this gives a yin-yang balance to the overall concepts" . Of course, I said yes. So back to 2011, I was at David's and he was getting ready for the future and asked me to host a fourth Loft Party, a summer party, as there was a big demand for Loft Parties in New York City. The next day, he followed up with an email in which he elaborated that he wanted me to transition into his role and envision a scenario in which we would both musically host an equal number of Loft Parties in both New York and London until he could no longer do it. And then he took my breath away when I read these words. He asked me to be the caretaker of his records and equipment upon his demise, and he wanted me to have the rights to name the Loft. At that time, I was still raising a small child, so I knew I couldn't go back and forth to New York City all the time. And then the following year, David got sick. But eventually in 2015, he made plans for me to come back to New York City to do the sound and musically host, and eventually I was able to do it. Of course, things changed after his passing, and things are still changing. But when I read these words, it really meant something to me. "Never feel that you have to be obligated to do anything for anybody, especially when you have earned your space. As you can see, what I'm suggesting to you is not 99.5%, but 100% of something. You have always done the same for me. 100%. And it's always been there between the two of us. It was always that way from day one, which I remember like it was yesterday" . And on that hot summer day, he gave me a stack of his records, all with their special markings, including the LaBelle record we just heard. And he also gave me this one. In my ears, the most special record of the Loft canon. And he had stuck a post-it note only on that one with these words: "To a dear and beloved friend, with respect and gratitude, David" . Balearic Breakfast with Brass Construction, Music Makes You Feel Like Dancing, Benny King with Music Trance, Love Has Come Around by Donald Byrd, The Universal Robot Band with Dance and Shake Your Tambourine, and Earth, Wind and Fire, That's the Way of the World. All songs that David championed at his party, the Loft. And those were songs that I played at the Loft 50th anniversary back in 2020. Now it's not the complete set, as I wanted to play you another mix I did in tribute to David's first iteration of the Loft at his home at 647 Broadway. This is the Loft that I wish I had gone to, as I feel it was the most pure form of the Loft. And I think David felt that way too. He said that space, his home on 647 Broadway, was the only one he dreamed about. If you have a listen to that podcast I mentioned earlier at loftparty.org , you'll hear him talking about it. I also love this era musically, as it was before there was a genre named disco and before disco was a thing. He was playing R&B, rock, and soul. And a few years ago, I put together a special Loft 647 Broadway mix of some of the songs that he played, starting off with another record that David gave me by Catmother and produced by Jimi Hendrix and Electric Ladyland Studios. It's pretty far out. Catmother with Track N.A., The Chambers Brothers with Time Has Come Today, Sweet Smoke, Silly Sally, Mandrill with Mandrill, O.C. Bisa with Happy Children, a live version of The Equals, Black Skin, Blue Eyed Boys. I don't think David had that one. I found that one a few years ago. Amazing. The Jimmy Castor Bunch creation, It's Just Begun, Anduella, Hold On To Your Mind, Buddy Miles, Them Changes, and Catmother, Track N.A., and that's all part of my 647 Broadway mix. And funnily enough, just up the road from 647 Broadway was our radio station, WNYU's at 721 Broadway. And on the 25th of February, 1994, David joined me there for my Friday night radio show, Soul School on 89.1 FM. After attending loft parties for a couple of years, I finally worked up the courage to extend an invitation. Well, not completely courageous because it was through a friend who knew him. I wasn't the kind of person who went up to the turntables trying to converse with the musical host or DJ as I preferred to be on the dance floor. But towards the late morning hours, David would put on The Orbs, Adventures Beyond the Ultra World or Jimi Hendrix's Electric Ladyland, and sometimes I would quietly sit behind him in the church doors, spacing out and riding the music. On one occasion, he offered me a lift after the party as he would head to Port Authority bus station to take a bus up to his cabin on Mount Tremper in upstate New York. I lived along the way. But he was still quiet and mysterious, and I didn't feel I knew him well enough to ask him to be a guest on my radio show. So my friend asked, and he said he would like to hang out with me and get to know me first. And so we went out for drinks on Avenue A in East Village and talked and talked and we really vibed, we really connected. He was completely different, engaging, dynamic, excited, especially when we shared our experiences of musical synchronicity. And so he agreed to come up to my radio show on the condition that he wouldn't talk on the microphone. He did not want to be interviewed. He just wanted to select the records. And the records he selected reflected not only songs that are long-term staples of the loft musical canon, but also house tunes that were recent at the time. Black Rascals, The Luna Project, Psychotropic, and the gorgeous Love Masquerade by 280 West featuring Diamond Temple. And he also played this song, one that he loved musically, but also thematically, as it reflected the tempo of his life. For half the week he would stay in his cabin in the woods on Mount Tremper, and for the other half at his loft space in Alphabet City in New York. And so I feel this is a special song to leave you with. War with City Country City. Thanks for listening, and love saves the day...

Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy broadcast the 257th episode of Balearic Breakfast on her Mixcloud on February 10 th, 2026. ABOUT THIS EPISODE It rarely happens, but it does! This episode was unannounced on Collen's socials, but the show started on time and drew around 500 listeners, slightly more if I recall correctly! We all deeply enjoyed Andrea 's mix, which opened with a slow, deep musical mood, like an awakening... We all really enjoyed it all the more that it evolved beautifully over time, a splendid journey indeed (I must admit, Falle Nioke's   Falle Le Le Le was a true revelation for me, please read this article as it nicely presents the song! )! Then we had an interview and a sunnier, more joyful mix by the great Dom Servini ! In the chat, the family was enjoying the selections, discussing the upcoming Loft party in London, which will be held very soon, and Colleen's forthcoming DJ events; she will be playing Back to Back with François Kevorkian soon! We also spoke about music and series, with Kay telling us not to lose too much time watching "Emily in Paris", which turns out to be a slightly disappointing watching moment! This morning’s Balearic Breakfast is now up on my Mixcloud and features two special mixes while I’m here in freezing Massachusetts. First up is @andreaac , a musical storytelling selector from Manchester who has graced our Love Dancin’ tent at We Out Here both solo and as part of the dynamic Eve’s Drop Collective. I know you’ll love her soulful mix. Up next is @domservini , label head of @wahwah45s and radio host at Soho Radio and Jazz FM. I love Dom’s work and he’s also a great guy and I’m sure you’ll love his musical story which includes one of my favourite music mags Straight No Chaser and London’s Jazz Cafe. Thanks to both Andrea and Dom for filling in for me while I’m away. I’m in North America and this weekend I’m playing two back to back parties with Francois - first up is Le Bain in Manhattan and tickets are free but must be preserved and the following night we head to Toronto for another B2B session at Standard Time. Ticket links are in my linktree. Next week is the annual Loft Anniversary special and this one is a 3.5 hour special! I hope you can join me to celebrate my dear friend David Mancuso’s legacy through special mixes and I also share some of David’s letters to me. It’s very personal. Listen back to the 257th episode of Balearic Breakfast: THE PLAYLIST Andrea Trout Mix: ( 2025 ) Naissam Jalal ft Archie Shepp – Souffle #1 ( 2018 ) GoGo Penguin  – Hopopono ( 2015 ) St Germain  – Hanky-Panky ( 2021 ) JAB  – 5,6,7,8 (Dance is Life) ( 2025 ) Falle Nioke  – Falle Le Le Le ( 2010 ) T. Williams ft Terri Walker  – Heartbeat (Mosca Remix) ( 2017 ) Bosq ft. Megan Doherty & Nicole Willis  – Can't Seem to Hide ( 2020 ) Joanna Law  – First Time Ever (Radio Edit 2020) ( 2002 ) Em-Cee  – Better Days ( 2021 ) Alice Russell  – For A While ( 1985 ) Sade  – The Sweetest Taboo ( 1980 ) The Jones Girls  – At Peace With Woman Dom Servini Mix: ( 2025 ) IKE ft SHOLTO, Rachel Kitchlew & David Bardon  – SIDDA (London Version) ( NOL ) Him & Earl  – Preside ( 2025 ) IKE  – Risorgini (Live In Heliopolis University, Cairo) ( NOL ) Soothsayers  – Love Is Still The Answer (Prince Fatty Rockers Remix) ( 2026 ) Klash & Brown  – You Dun Know ( 2019 ) Kutiman ft Rioghnach Connolly  – So Long (Gene Dudley Remix) ( 2026 ) Marxist Disco Ensemble  – Dust (DJ Nature Edit) ( 2025 ) Lawne  – The Huge Balloon (Medlar Remix) ( 2025 ) Raz & Afla  – Voodoo Zeze (Esa Remix) ( NOL ) Land Of Echo feat. Ayana Homma  – Lean Into Your Own Breath (IG Culture's Post FunkFlip) ( 2026 ) Gledd Edits  – Gaboon ( NOL ) King Crowney feat. Afronaut Zu  – My People ( 2023 ) Eparapo  – From London To Lagos (WheelUp Remix) ( 2026 ) China Chameleon  – Injula (Tribute To Staffa) ( 2024 ) Chicago Funk Band  – No Communication ( 2025 ) Banana Hill  – Le Serpent (Cervo Edit) ( 2025 ) Kotoa  – I Am (Laroye Afrobeat Edit) ( NOL ) Him & Earl  – Away ( 1977 ) America  – Are You There DOM SERVINI'S INTERVIEW WITH COLLEEN [Colleen] Thanks so much, Andrea Trout, for that gorgeous Balearic breakfast mix. And next up, our featured interview. Well, Balearicans, today I have Dom Servini from Wahwah45s here on the show with us. He's also given us an exclusive mix, and he's just a really great guy. So I'm really happy to have him up here. Hi, Dom, how are you?   [Dom] Hi, Colleen, I'm good. Thank you very much. Thanks for having me.   [Colleen] Well, I just wanted to first talk a little bit about yourself and how you got into music. I mean, how did you start your whole foray into DJing?   [Dom] My foray into DJing? Well, I think, you know, when I left uni, I was down in Sussex in Brighton, which I deliberately headed for because of the music scene. And we're talking early 90s. The music scene in Brighton was pretty decent now, but it was pretty incredible in the early 90s. And it was one of my main reasons for going down there, was the music scene. And I hadn't actually sort of been a DJ formally at that point. But when I was at uni, I kind of got into it. And the scene really inspired me. People like Russ Dewberry and people like that, who were putting on events in Brighton. And I used to see people like Fatboy Slim DJ down there at the jazz rooms playing disco and jazz and funk and stuff, you know, when he was just Norman Cook. And that really kind of inspired me into it. And then I came back to London, and started working in Soho as a runner, and started putting on my own events in London. Actually started DJing in Brighton, but then started putting my own events on in London, and started a night called Mouse Organ that I ran with Jake Holloway for a few years. And probably one of the most important things that happened was I was at Mr. Bongo's one day. If you wouldn't really imagine this ever happening now, there was a sign in the window from the jazz cafe saying DJs wanted.   [Colleen] Oh, my gosh.   [Dom] It should have been 93. And I've been DJing there ever since, you know, mostly as a resident. So, yeah, so that's like, you know, over 30 years ago.   [Colleen] Wow. I had no idea! That's really, I'm glad I asked you that question! [Dom] Yeah! [Colleen]  That's really amazing. [Dom] You can't imagine that happening now! [Colleen] I know. Exactly. You can't imagine that. I mean, I actually worked at Mr. Bongo when I first moved here just for a few months in the Latin section, believe it or not. [Dom] Yes, I have a vague memory of you doing that. Yeah.   [Colleen] You have also worked as a journalist writing for Straight Note Chaser. Can you tell us a little bit about that? I love Paul Bradshaw's work, and I love that magazine so much.   [Dom] And that man who doesn't love Paul Bradshaw. Paul was always really great with me, as he is really, really generous. And I mean that, you know, in terms of his time and his willingness to give someone a chance. That's that's really how I would one of the main attributes that Paul has. He's really up for giving people a go, you know? And at the time when I was working in Soho as a runner and as a sound engineer as well, actually after that many years, I was I mean, it was like early days of the Internet. I was putting out a chart every Friday called the Hello Love Chart. And I would just send it to me. God knows how many I probably sent it to like a hundred people or something in my on my, you know, crunky old email and send it out. And one of those was Paul. And he just used to love getting my chart every week. And then he was like, do you want to, you know, I think it was either. No, it had been Ben Wilcox, I think, was finishing as singles editor. I think before him, it was James Lavelle and then it was Ben. No, then it was Ben. Then it was Sean McAuliffe. And then it was me, as a singles editor for Straight No Chaser, which I did for a few years and wrote articles for them and stuff like that. And it was literally because of that. He'd been getting my chart and was like, come on, then. Which is typical Paul, you know? And that magazine, obviously, for me was, you know, a complete Bible, you know.   [Colleen] Absolutely. Absolutely. I just you'll laugh at this, but in the 1990s, I used to fax my chart to all the British magazines. And that was my radio chart!   [Dom] I mean, I remember faxing charts and faxing feedback, you know, for for releases. I remember using the fax in my office in the office I worked for in Soho to fax to, you know, people like Duncan at Zonk and people like that. You know, my my reactions to some some some dodgy record that come out that week.   [Colleen] Exactly. You're getting those vinyl promos, sending out hundreds when we had Bitches Brew, it's crazy to think about. Another aspect of your career is as a radio host. And I listen to your show. I think you are a fantastic radio host. You're on Jazz FM.   [Dom] You know, I'm going to say the same thing back to you because it's true.   [Colleen] Oh, thank you. But you have a great presentation style. And of course, I love your music anyways, but you're very warm on the radio and you can really hear it. You're personable, you're charismatic. Could you tell our listeners where they can catch you on the radio?   [Dom] So funnily enough, actually, tomorrow, the 11th of February is my last Wednesday night on Jazz FM. I've been doing Wednesday nights for, I guess, the best part of a couple of years now, a year and a half or something like that. So I will be on Jazz FM at nine o'clock tomorrow night, with special guest at Jazz. I have a special guest each week. One a few months ago, I had a special guest called Colleen Cosmo Murphy, I believe, [Colleen] Oh, who's she? And I've heard some terrible stuff about her! [Dom] So, yes, I'll be there with Blackjazz tomorrow evening. And then from next week, you can find me slightly later time, eleven o'clock on Fridays, which I think is a much it's probably a much better kind of natural time and night of the week for me, really, considering the kind of music I play on Jazz FM. So I'm starting off on Fridays next week. From eleven, first special guest, Momoko Gill, which would be lovely. So, yes, you can catch me there. You can also catch me on Soho Radio on a Thursday evening, and that's live from eight p.m., where I have many different guests coming in for that live in the studio. And it's the WahWah45's radio show. We play a lot of stuff on the label. And yeah, as I say, we have some guests in for a chat and some live music as well sometimes. And you can also catch me on OneJazz, which I do once a month for Chris Phillips and Jess Nelson, which allows me to... because my Jazz FM show is a little bit more electronic biased, but it allows me to play sort of more organic jazz music that I'm loving sort of past and present.   [Colleen] Wow. So you're keeping busy. That's great.   [Dom] You know, well, you know, radio radio is such a wonderful outlet. I think especially as you get older, it's like it's it becomes more important. And, it's such an important outlet. It always has been, really. And I just love doing it. It's so intimate.   [Colleen] Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. And people can follow you on Mixcloud , too, because that's where I listen back to your shows. [Dom] Yeah, they're all on there.   [Colleen] Yeah. Now we were speaking about WahWah45, which is celebrating its 27th anniversary this year, which is incredible. And I mean, you have so many releases. I mean, how do you keep up with all of this? But my first question is, why do you start the label? And, if you can just tell us a little bit about your mission, and maybe about some of the releases that are coming up?   [Dom] Sure, of course. I didn't actually start the label. So the label was started by Chris Goss and his brother, Simon Goss, his late brother, Simon. The Chris now owns Hospital Records. But him and Simon were doing a night called WahWah at the jazz cafe that I used to go to regularly. And they were sort of inspired by Adrian Gibson, who was the booker at the jazz cafe at that time. And he was, he just started, or was about to start Freestyle Records. And he was like, why don't you? I think this is before Freestyle Records, actually. But anyway, he basically says, why don't you, you know, start a label to kind of represent what you're playing at WahWah at the club night? So about six months before I joined them as a DJ, before Chris asked me to join as a DJ with WahWah, they put out their first single. And then shortly after joining them, I joined the label. And me and Simon really ran the label for quite a long time, because Chris was busy with Hospital before Simon sadly passed away. And then Adam Scrimshaw ran the label together for about 10 years. And then we parted ways. And in a very amicable way. And now I'm kind of running it by myself with, you know, a bunch of younger people who come in and out and help me with it from time to time, which kind of suits me because I'm a bit of a control freak.   [Colleen] And what kind of stuff are you signing?   [Dom] Oh, you know, I was talking to my publisher about this the other day. And I think what's great is, for all of us, it's always been about songs. The songs, the song is at the heart of what we do. You know, I love improvisational jazz music. I love free jazz. I love all that kind of stuff. But what I love, what I love in whatever genre is, is at the heart of it. There has to be some sort of song, something timeless. And that could be in a kind of environment of, you know, contemporary electronic music, or that could be in the environment of dub reggae music, or Afrobeat, or, you know, jazz and soul. And those are all the kind of genres that we that we move around. Also, I am just about to release the first single with an artist called Him and Earl, which is vocalist Olly Him and producer Wyndham Earl. And their music is very much kind of, it's an area we've dabbled in many times on the label, on the kind of folkier side of things, acoustic-y, folkier, but also with a lot of soul and a kind of a little bit of a, probably a little bit of an African reference in there, a little bit of mulatto reference in there, as much as there is a kind of Paul Simon reference, and Sebastian Tellier. That's all kind of in there. [Colleen] Wow, that's a lot. [Dom] I'm including a track in the mix as well. So their first single is about to drop. We've got an album, beautiful, incredible album coming with them. So that's happening very soon. I have an artist from Italy. I know you're also familiar with called Ike, who again makes, you know, I think often the tricky thing with a label like ours and in general, in the kind of music world that we live in, a lot of the music is quite hard to classify. And we all know people like to pigeonhole, you know, and I just mentioned a multitude of genres with Him and Earl. And I can do the same thing with Ike, you know, there is, you know, classic Italian soundtrack music in there. There's jazz in there. There's soul in there. There's African music in there and a lot of electronic music in there. So it's all those things. You know, if I wanted to be a hugely successful crossover record label, I'd be doing something a lot more simple. Exactly. But, you know, these are the kind of things that attract me. And as I said, at the heart of all these things is the song. So, yeah, there's the Clay EP is out in a week or so from Ike, a track that came out on his album that came out last year, but new versions of it with vocal, and vocal versions with Faye Houston from Resonators, who's amazing. Sue Sayer's album's just come out. We've been working with them for a very, very long time. They've been going, you know, pretty much, they've been going exactly the same amount of time that the label has. So they've been around for a very long time.   [Colleen] Oh that long! I had no idea.   [Dom] Yeah, yeah, yeah. So we've got in a couple of, yeah, in a few weeks time, we've got a track from their most recent album with remixes from Prince Fatty, which is always an exciting one.   [Colleen] I love his productions. He is phenomenal. He really is a phenomenal producer.   [Dom] So that that might be in the mix. Listen out. And I've been working with this incredible young band who are talking to Sue Sayer's. Sue Sayer's have been working with young people in southeast London, South London, for about the last, almost a decade now. And they call the project Youth Sayers . And it's basically it's a registered charity, and kids from the local area who can't afford to be taught music privately go there and they learn instruments, and they form bands. And so they have younger youth sayers and they have youth sayers. So they stay there from like the age. The idea is that they work with them once a week from the age of six, seven, eight years old, right through to 18. And a couple of years, a couple of years ago, we released the first ever Youth Sayers album with all the profits going back into the Youth Sayers project. And apart from all those great things, which by themselves are enough.   [Colleen] That's amazing, Dom, by the way. That is just such a cool, cool project to do. And I really admire you for that!   [Dom] It's like it's it's not just me being completely altruistic, as I was about to say. It's also a nice bit of A&R as well, because, you know, there's young musicians who've come out of there who've then gone on to form their own bands. And the one I've been working with the last year or so is Katoa. And that has really kind of blown up. And we released an EP with them last year, and we're about to release a second EP with them late this spring. We're going to release both EPs on vinyl this summer. But they've been getting lots of plays from all the big people and lots of love and support. And they're an incredible young band, very much in the Youth Sayers tradition of Afrobeat and Jazz and Dub and Reggae and all of that, all that good stuff in their own kind of unique style. And I'm really proud of them. I'm really excited to be releasing more music with them. And I can tell you now, as a little kind of one for the future, is that maybe a little bit of an exclusive announcement on this, that we are going to be releasing another album with Dele Sissimi. And that is we've actually, having worked with Dele for over 10 years now, 11 years this year, and we've released music with him every year. But actually, you know, 11 years ago, he released his first, his debut album, like solo album, Dele Sissimi album with us on the label. And he hasn't released another solo album since. He's just done lots of collaborations with Meddler, S321, all these different things, you know, Get Cake, Wake a Cake, Fly. But actually, next year is going to be his second album, which I'm really excited about. I can't say anything more than that at the moment, but it's going to be really super special, because he's an amazingly special man that has been such a privilege to know and get to know. He's kind of part of the family. He teaches my son piano, so, you know.   [Colleen] Oh, really? That's so cool. I mean, just for our listeners who aren't familiar with him, he worked with Fela Kuti. And we also had him over at Classic Album...   [Dom] Fela's a musical director.   [Colleen] That's right.   [Dom] Yeah.   [Colleen] So he's, you know, what a great person to have, a great musician to have on your label. That's fantastic. Well, Dom, thank you so much for joining us on Balearic Breakfast. And thank you so much for this mix. And I want to wish you all the best with your radio shows, with WahWah45s, and also with your DJing. And, you know, just thanks for being such a great person in music.   [Dom] Well, all those things back to you as well. And keep doing what you're doing because we love you.   [Colleen] Aww, thank you!

Worldwide FM broadcast the 105th episode of Balearic Breakfast on September 13th 2022. ABOUT THIS EPISODE On September 12th, 2022 , Worldwide FM announced on its socials that it would be “pausing” new broadcasts. Following this statement, Colleen shared on her socials the following message: "Some of you may have seen this news about the changes being made to our beloved radio station Worldwide FM. It’s very sad news for all of us. On a personal note, Worldwide FM has been one of my anchors for the last seven years - especially during the days of the pandemic when my entire events-based livelihood dissipated in an instant. Worldwide FM, it's staff and listeners emotionally sustained me during that difficult time when I was broadcasting live from my record room each and every week. It gave me a sense of purpose and connection. I’m eternally grateful. This year marks my 40th year in broadcasting and Worldwide FM has been one of the biggest highlights of my entire radio career. I feel blessed and honoured to have been asked by Gilles Peterson to join the radio station from its earliest days in 2016. It has been an incredible musical journey. For my Balearic Breakfast fans - I plan on keeping the show going in some capacity so please follow me on my Mixcloud (linktree in bio) and please follow me on my socials for updates. In the meantime, I look forward to hosting my remaining Balearic Breakfast shows each and every Tuesday morning from 10am to 12 noon and my monthly Cosmodelica show on the third Friday of each month from 4 to 6 pm on Worldwide FM. I thank each and every one of you for all of the support you have given me. 🙏" With this happening in the life of the Balearic Breakfast family, one could expect this show and the following ones to be special. And oh my gosh, they have been special. Not only because of the fact that we all got together even stronger than before behind our Captain, but also because The Music Colleen selected during this time was, of course, poignant, reflective, but also very, very strong and with a powerful driving force. She was resoluted to lead us through this new and unexpected storm like she always did, and noone was about to let her down... "This morning’s Balearic Breakfast is now up on Worldwide FM and my Mixcloud and it sure was an emotional show. Thank you to the Balearic Breakfast family who stepped into my life and remember that I’ll be there… Today’s show was mainly your requests and a few new little nuggets from Chip Wickham, A Man Called Adam and 3iO and classic tune from Rob Mello, Ashley Beedle, Bent, The Reflex, Jonathan Wilson, Manuel Gottsching, Nu Yorican Soul, Michael Kiwanuka and more… Enjoy your week and don’t forget to follow me on Mixcloud and my socials for more Balearic Breakfast…." Listen back to the 105th episode of Balearic Breakfast: THE PLAYLIST ( 1975 ) Manuel Gottsching – Quasarsphere ( 1973 ) Loggins & Messina   – A Love Song ( 1971 ) Nina Simone   – Just Like a Woman ( 2016 ) Michael Kiwanuka  – Rule the World ( 1983 ) Blue Gas   – Shadows From Nowhere ( 2011 ) Jonathan Wilson – Desert Raven ( 2022 ) Chip Wickham   – Before I Go... ( 2015 ) 3iO  – Les Nuits ( 1976 ) George Benson  – One Rock Don't Make No Boulder ( 1978 ) Al Johnson  – I've Got My Second Wind ( 1978 ) Melba Moore  – You Stepped Into My Life ( 1973 ) The Snippers   – I'll Be Around (Reflex Revision) ( 2022 ) A Man Called Adam  – Starlings (Chemical City Dub) ( 1998 ) India & Nuyorican Soul  – I love the nightlife (Disco 'Round) ( 1999 ) Rob Mello – Happiness (Happy Club Mix) ( 2001 ) Bent  – Always (Ashley Beedle's Mahavishnu Remix) ( 2020 ) Franckie Knuckles  – Whistle Song (Eric Kuper Remix) THE LISTENING EXPERIENCE Listening back to older episodes of Balearic Breakfast is always a great experience. We're in January 2026 as I write this review, and it's remarkable how fresh this show remains. Colleen's selections here are absolutely top-notch, and she always lets the listener fall into her vision of the musical story she proposes; there's no escaping in that one whatsoever. This episode opens with 5 rather, worried, introspective songs ( Les Nuits being the Wow Moment for sure), with George Benson being the first track to slowly let go off the unsure feeling from the first hour as the second part of the show slowly unveils its wings... In retrospect, songs like Al Johnson's I've Got My Second Wind really had a premonitory power; indeed, Colleen was having her second wind right here as Balearic Breakfast would happily continue on her Mixcloud for many more years! Also, songs like Michael Kiwanuka's Rule The World or Melba Moore's You Stepped Into My Life and of course I'll Be Around (nicely covered in French by Claude François) take another dimension in this episode, as they perfectly embrace the Family's message and the oh-so-present, vibrant, Tender and Loving Care feeling we all gave to one another... Of course, the second Wow Moment was Colleen's mix here , right there, blending You Stepped Into My Life and I'll Be There is such a beautiful move! Speaking of Colleen' s mix, this episode is one of my favourites as the mini mix she proposes here is nothing short of extraordinary ( Starlings (Chemical City Dub) / I love the nightlife (Disco 'Round) / Happiness (Happy Club Mix ) ). I remember how we all lost our minds on the chat back then! Of course, ending it with Ashley Beedle's dreamy yet infectious version of Bent's Always was, in this Context, the perfect move to do. Brava as always to the Family here, we're united in Music!

Colleen 'Cosmo' Murphy broadcast the 256th episode of Balearic Breakfast on her Mixcloud on January 27 th, 2026. ABOUT THIS EPISODE After hosting last week's Balearic Breakfast, our dear Captain met another one of our heroes during a Classic Album Sunday's event , namely Greg Wilson . Greg has a new book out, which you really should buy: James Hamilton's dance pages . This new book illuminates a crucial period in UK club culture – the role and prestige of the DJ changing as mixing came to the fore, with the technological advances of the electro era radically altering the dance landscape. It is a direct "continuation" of Greg's 2024 previous publication, James Hamilton's Disco pages (and you can read an interview about this one here ). And then, a few days after that glorious meeting, Colleen flew off to Japan, where she still is as I write these lines! Adam streamed today's show (thank you, dear Adam!) , during which we heard two very nice mixes, once more allowing us to expand our musical knowledge! This week’s Balearic Breakfast is now up on my Mixcloud and as I’m in Japan, features two special guest mixes. First up is with the gorgeous smile is Angel Mel Selector  an eclectic selector who has graced our Love Dancin’ tent at We Out Here. She also hosts the radio show ‘Revive the Dancefloor’ on @bcfmradio. Her mix truly expresses the varied musical flavours of Balearic Breakfast. Next up is a soulful mix from Another Taste - the live Dutch jazz-funk-soul collective who have been releasing tasty dance floor treats on Space Grapes. We had a chat about their forthcoming sophomore album ‘Another Taste 2’ coming out in April and the story and ethos behind the record label which has released a lot of great records from Jambonne, Mad Honey, Jéroboam, Arp Frique, GALXTC and more. Thanks to my husband Adam for streaming the show in my absence while I was out catching Mark de Clive-Lowe live at Baroom in Tokyo - stunning show! Catching Incognito at Blue Note Tokyo tonight which makes three live shows in the past couple of weeks alone. Definitely starting 2026 on the right musical foot. Next week Balearic Breakfast is taking a break but will be back the following week. Thanks for listening! Listen back to the 256th episode of Balearic Breakfast: THE PLAYLIST Angel Mel Mix: ( 2001 ) Royksopp – In Space ( 2001 ) Zero 7  – I Have Seen ( 1971 ) Jimi Hendrix  – Angel ( 1979 ) Journey  – Sweet and Simple ( 1967 ) Letta Mbula  – What is Wrong with Groovin ( 1972 ) Lou Reed  – Satellite of Love ( 1967 ) The Paragons  – Black Birds (xx) Big City  – Outside ( 2018 ) Cleo Sol  – Why Don't You ( 2018 ) Ladi6  – Royal Blue (Silent Jay, Sensible J, Leigh Fisher Remix) ( 2000 ) Mos Def  – Umi Says ( 2019 ) Hector Plimmer ft Alexa Harley  – Joyfulness ( 2025 ) Ana Frango Eléctrico  – Nao Tem Nada Nao ( 1969 ) Vampire Sounds Inc  – The Lion and The Cucumber ( 2023 ) Parbleu  – Elios Another Taste Mix: ( 1965 ) Pete La Roca  – Lazy Afternoon ( 1972 ) Frank Zappa  – Blessed Relief ( 1972 ) Timothy McNealy  – Easy, Easy, Easy ( 1974 ) Cloe Martin  – Life Race ( 1980 ) The Edge of Daybreak  – Eyes of Love ( 1976 ) Dom Um Romao  – Escravos de Jó ( 1984 ) Hot Salsa  – Maldito Primitivo ( 1973 ) Leroy Hutson  – As Long As There's Love Around ( 1972 ) Lalomie Washburn  – My Love is Hot (Caliente) ( 1972 ) Ronald Mesquita  – Papagayo ( 1975 ) Johnny Hammond  – Shifting Gears ( 1984 ) Fresh Band  – Come Back Lover ( TBR ) Another Taste  – Into the Night ( 1977 ) Mad Cliff  – It Takes a Little Time THE LISTENING EXPERIENCE Once again, this episode proved to have a beautiful musical "equilibrium", if I can put it that way. First, we had the oh so eclectic, open-minded and, in one word, refreshing mix by Angel Mel , picking songs from all corners of the world and all generations. I remember I told myself, that's a bold mix, that's freedom, it was obvious to me that she did not try to impress or to prove anyone, the flow was good, the flow was Right, the sound was astoundingly realistic at times too! Then, a few hours ago, I just read what Angel Mel wrote on her Instagram while sharing the link to the show, and it suddenly made perfect sense: "Happy Thursday Dears Ones. I hope you are feeling blessed. I was kindly invited by Colleen Murphy to provide a mix for her Balearic Breakfast show. Which goes out live Tuesday 10-12pm on Mixcloud. My selection was partially inspired by my mum Lorraine Wilson and Aunty Lorna Jane love of early 70s & 80s low slung rock. Combined with blissed out memories and adventures of my 6 year residency at the gorgeous La Escollera Ibiza. The selections represents all the feels I experienced during my times in Ibiza. Full track list is available. Listening to the Balearic Breakfast show is a joyful experience for me. Those who know, know! For the first timers welcome, you're in for a ride.🎧💯 Recommend checking out her interview with the Dutch outfit @anothertaste Heartfelt thanks to Colleen & Adam Dewhurst ✨🙏🏾🧡🎧" Also, I have warm memories from the few times I spent on the chat, as Angel graced us whith her presence on the chat. You could feel her kindness all around, such a powerful and beautiful soul to spend time with! When Jimi Hendrix's song was playing, Angel shared the following story with us "I was in Hither Green - London, this weekend. I saw the beautiful parakeets. There's an urban myth that Jimi Hendrix released them, and they've been there ever since. Love that story." When sharing her fear that her mix wasn't so much of a Balearic one, our friend Matt answered, "If there's one thing I've learned, it's almost everything is Balearic in the right moment. Lovely mix" . And Matt was so right when saying that as Angel's mix was perfect, having freedom and a strong musical unity, with songs keeping a very close tonality between them (if mixing Journey's "Sweet and Simple" with Letta Mbula's "What is Wrong with Groovin" is not Balearic enough, I don't know what else can be ^^)... Yes, this mix was a Beautiful musical moment indeed! With an impeccable sense of rhythm, the second mix proposed to us by Another Taste was a great follow-up to Angel's body of work (even if it seems to have been quite a challenge for her to fi it in the one hour slot as she shared it on the chat, laughs!). It is a jazzy, of course!, and groovy mix, blending so much songs I never heard before of artists I didn't even knew existed that it almost made me think about the "ego trip" some folks may have while talking about music, you know these kind of "I know this and if you don't well that's soo bad" , laughs! I mean, if you have an ego trip, if you feel like you're the "I Know Everything" type, please, spend at least one show by our side, we're all going to clean you up, I swear! Laughs!! Congratulations to Another Taste for that splendid musical trip, and Thank Yoo'z all around the place from the Balearic Breakfast Family! ANOTHER TASTE'S INTERVIEW [Colleen] Thank you, Angel Mel. Next up on Balearic Breakfast, we have an interview with Dutch collective Another Taste, who've been releasing records on the incredible jazz funk label Space Grapes . We had a chat about their upcoming sophomore album and other projects they have going on at Space Grapes HQ. Greetings, Balearicans. In the studio with me right now is Another Taste , and I have been loving their music and all the music on the Space Grapes label, actually. Another Taste released their debut album, Another Taste , in 2024, and now in 2026, they have a new album coming out, their second album, which is called Another Taste 2 . And in the studio with me right now is Bobby, Serena, Bob, and Tern, and thank you so much for joining me. How are you guys doing?   [Another Taste - Collectively] Great. / Thank you for the invitation. / Yeah, thank you. / Thanks for having us. [Colleen] Ah, my pleasure, my pleasure. I've been loving the Space Grapes label, so I just have a couple questions for Bobby before we get into Another Taste. Bobby, the label started in 2020, I believe, with a Mad Honey single?   [Another Taste - Bobby] Yes, correct. And that's actually something we did together with Danilo, so that's Bob, Tern, Barend, and me with Danilo in his studio when he still was, he had a lot of analog recording gear in his parents' basement, basically, back then. And this way, we were already making music for like two years together, figuring out what we wanted to do, doing some kind of like house sample stuff. And together with Danilo, for the first time, we actually recorded live to tape, and we did it all like on the fly, so we didn't really have a plan beforehand. We had a couple of ideas written out, but like the best stuff that the first release we did was all recorded on the fly and mixed on the same day. And for us, that was kind of a revelation like, okay, this is what kind of sound we wanted to have. It was also the first time that we didn't work with computers at all, except for like recording like the master two track that was on a computer, but the rest was all multi-track tape. So, and for us, that was like the big revelation like, okay, this is a big difference in how it sounds, and how we work, and the kind of focus that you need to have to put down the take, you know, all this kind of stuff that just came together like that.   [Colleen] Fantastic. Well, that sounds like it's kind of became the remit for the label as well, like live music performed by live musicians onto tape, which, I used to be a tape editor back in the late 80s and early 90s. So, very familiar with editing and all the different kind of pieces of tape around your neck going in the wrong directions. It's fun and it certainly sounds a lot better. It really is the best sounding format there is, better than vinyl, better than anything else. So, that's really great to hear. Really great to hear. Well, you released so many other records, Mad Honey. I always call the other one Galactic, but I think it's G-A-L-X-T-C, Life is a Mirror. I love that one. Jambone, Jerry and the Melange. And a lot of these people have you in the group, Bobby, but it's kind of a shifting group of musicians, I guess.   [Another Taste] Well, actually, all the groups that you just mentioned are us all together.   [Colleen] Okay, great. Fantastic.   [Another Taste] Yeah, it's basically another taste. And Danilo was involved in the first few releases a little more heavily. And now with the last album, it's more down to us writing and recording. And I still go down to Paris, where he has a studio now. I bring the rolls of tape. I put it on the tape machine over there. And there's where I do the mix downs. We have one other group on the label at the present time. That's Jero Bomb. And that's a group from Paris that Danilo closely works with. So, that's more his project over there.   [Colleen] Got you. Now it all starts to make sense. Because when the label first started, I was just buying these records. I couldn't really see who was on it. There wasn't a big social media presence at the time, which was nice. I know Giles was playing, maybe the first one as well. And so, there was a really good buzz that was going on around the label. But I think it's really to do with how much care you are all taking with the music. I mean, right now we're in a situation... where TikTok has really kind of lowered the attention spans of people. I'm getting remixes sent to me that are three and a half minutes long. I mean, shorter than a radio edit. And I can't even believe it. Of course, you can have great music that's short. Don't get me wrong. But a lot of music is just recycling and sampling old tracks, doing re-edits. So much of what you see in record shops now is just kind of a recycling of old tunes. And it reminds me of when I started something called Classic Album Sundays, which was kind of like a slow listening movement. And it was kind of in the face of everything going on. And I really feel that your music stands, and the way you present it, the way you record it, and what your ethos is, is really standing against what's kind of going on in the mainstream.   [Another Taste] That's also the nice thing and the benefits to be able to do really what we want to do in our own way. Because we're so closely with the label. And also, you can create any tracks that you want in the way that you want to. Also, very heavily inspired by the music from back in the day, like the late 70s, the early 80s. I think it's also from the industry side more and more that they push, especially in the more pop scene, for example, towards like shorter tracks or tracks that would be maximum in three minutes, three and a half minutes like, radio edit. So it can be spent quickly and faster and faster. So yeah, it's nice to be just able to do what we want to do and the way we want to do it. Yeah.   [Colleen] And Serena, was this, do you think, a conscious decision from all of you to just do something in a different way?   [Another Taste] Well, I think we're all unique in our own way. And to have a blend of all of our interests in music is magical.   [Colleen] Well, why don't we just talk about each of your backgrounds, just really kind of quickly. Give me a snapshot of your musical background, Serena, if you would.   [Another Taste] Well, I'm the oldest of the band, so my musical background, it starts in the 80s. I grew up with a lot of soul music. My dad used to collect a lot of vinyls. So yeah, my background, I can name a few. It's Chaka Khan, it's Luther Vandross, Al Jarreau even. But I created another interest in rock music as well. I had a period when I wanted to be a rock singer, actually. And now I go back to my roots because my dad used to love the disco vibes, the grooves, funky music. And these guys, they, well, they invited me in. And I found that side of me again. So now it's disco and groove and funky music. And I'm loving it. Yeah.   [Colleen] Fantastic. And how about you, Bob? What's your musical background?   [Another Taste] Yeah, I'm a bass player. My background, I think I started playing when I was around 13 years old or something. I started at a high school in a school band. And I really caught up to the instrument. And since then, I was just practicing, playing a lot. And eventually ending up studying the instruments, of course. And now I'm actually a teacher myself. So I'm in school right now. And I see my kids on the outside of the classroom waving at me. So I'm on my break now to do this. But yeah, it's all music in my life. And it's growing strong, you know.   [Colleen] And how about you, Turn? [Another Taste] For me, yeah, there was always music at home. Because my dad used to play drums when he was younger. My sister played drums, still does. My mom used to play clarinet and my other sister saxophone. So it was always lots of like making music. So I started lessons when I was around eight. And I always kept doing it, basically. Yeah, started to be actually the same as Bob. We were in the same middle school, second year school. I had my first band there. Yeah, basically played since that age. And I grew up with also more like the old school 70s rock and funk kind of stuff. And it was around the conservatory time. I went to the conservatory in Rotterdam, where I got closer to Bob as well. And via friends there, I got connected with Bobby. I got way more into like the whole disco and funk and soul, old school stuff. Since they're both collecting records a lot. So that's been a good inspiration. And yeah, it's been a couple of years of being a session musician for different pop artists, basically. Where I met Serena as well. But then since the last seven years, it's been more like, okay, let's focus on own music with this group. It's been a big pleasure.   [Colleen] That's fantastic. I like how you all come from different backgrounds and you're all bringing something unique to the table. With the new album, Bobby, is there a kind of a different tweaked musical direction? I've only heard the first single, which, you know, is a great kind of mid-tempo, down-tempo, I would say down to mid-tempo boogie track, Run Into Love, which I absolutely love. What is the direction of this album? And please let us know if there's something different that you were trying to achieve. I haven't yet heard the album. It's coming out in April. So I have to ask you.   [Another Taste] The direction was, I think we wanted to go for more of, like do a bit more songs. Make it a bit more polished. Also to be a bit more inside of the, like to be able to cross over a bit more, let's say. But not lose our core too much. So that's something we wanted to see how we could step out, like do a couple more tracks that are a bit more song-based. But at the same time, we have a few tunes on the album that still we do the lead vocals on. But those are like simple things. Like the first thing we did, Upward Bound, which is just like an eight bar loop of vocals. We have a couple of those on the record as well. We have two down-tempo tracks that are, yeah, like as we say in Dutch, more like like little songs of like three, three, three and a half minutes. But those I also really love to make.   [Colleen] Is that for the TikTok generation?   [Another Taste] No, no, no, no, no. I don't think so. I don't think so. Hell yeah. No, it was more about like discovering how we could make a short arrangement that also works really well. And instead of like doing long, stretched out workouts to condense it down a bit more. And I also really love that approach. I mean, some of my favorite music is 45s that are three minutes long. So yeah, I didn't see why we couldn't do that. And I'm really happy with the result of that as well. So yeah, I think overall it's just a bit more, a bit more poppy, but not losing our, not losing our core for sure. Yeah.   [Another Taste] Let's not forget the second singles, up-tempo disco tune together with ARP Freak and The Perpetual Singers as well.   [Colleen] I love ARP Freak and The Perpetual Singers. I just got a new single of theirs, Save Your Soul with a Joe Clossel remix. Oh my goodness. That's, that is absolutely fantastic. There's so much going on in the Netherlands. My goodness. It's incredible. Really great. Are you starting to write songs before you head into the studio now for this album?   [Another Taste] Yeah. Yeah. I think most of it was written on forehand. Like it's a bit organic also the process because most of the time we're all together in the same room. And then sometimes I bring some ideas or sketches, sometimes Byron did.   [Colleen] Serena for the third single as well.   [Another Taste] Yes. Serena did The Night, which was like her vocal and main groove thingy. And then we also have different songs which we collaborated and it just happened in studio. So it's pretty organic, but it's not that we recorded the ideas direct to tape. Like first we had the ideas, created it, make an arrangement of everything and then eventually recorded when everything and all the parts, everybody were like super clear.   [Another Taste] What is good to know as well, that with a lot of bands, you see that they write the music and they go into the studio and record everything. The thing is that we have our own studio where we gather at least two days a week. So every Monday, Tuesday, we're there. And then it's either the writing or recording or mixing or organizational stuff or jamming. So it's kind of also not that we have like one set period. Like, okay, this couple of weeks we're going to write and these days we're going to record. It's kind of like an ongoing process all the time.   [Colleen] That's a really great idea. I mean, to have a schedule like that. I'm working on a project with a few other people and trying to schedule us because they're members of Hot Chip and LCD Sound System. And then I'm touring and doing my stuff and just trying to get like a studio day. It's really difficult. Doing that every Monday and Tuesday is brilliant. I have a question here for Serena. Serena, you wrote the next single, Into the Night. Could you tell us a little bit about it? You're going to preview it here on your mix.   [Another Taste] Yeah. Well, it's a song I dreamt about, but it's not about me. The first single, it was. But I had this crazy thought about a young female who likes to be free, but she likes to play around with all the beautiful men around her. But there's this one guy in particular that couldn't take no for an answer. So yeah, she's kind of bashing. Telling him to just let go. He could have her for one night, but he couldn't have her heart. So this song is, yeah, this song is about that. Yes, she likes to be free.   [Colleen] Well, thank you for that.   [Another Taste] So it's not about me! [Colleen] Another Taste 2 comes out in late April. And will you be performing this album? Will you be touring this summer, coming to the UK? What's your plan?   [Another Taste] Absolutely. We have one gig currently set for the UK in London, Brick Lane Jazz Festival. For the rest, we are still waiting on a lot of things to fall in place.   [Colleen] I wish you all the best of luck with it. I hope I get to catch you at the Brick Lane Jazz Festival in April. And I really look forward to the album. And I just want to say thank you for creating this music and doing something that really has a lot of TLC, a lot of tender, loving care, more so than a lot of other music that's coming out today. So, you know, thank you so much.   [Another Taste] Thanks for having us!

The Balearic Breakfast Family includes friends who deeply care about sharing their bottomless love of music. Pooky is definitely one of them... 1) Hi Pooky!! Thanks for joining us here on the Balearic Breakfast blog! How did you get into music? What were your first memorable musical moments? Hi, and thank you so much for having me.  “Getting” into music never happened to me, to be honest. It was always there and has been my best friend since day one, something I don’t take for granted. It has never let me down, and there is a song for every mood I find myself in. Music to me is like petrol or electricity to a car: an absolute necessity. Something I don’t really talk about is that I was profoundly deaf when I was born, and I wasn’t able to hear until I was about four years old. It wasn’t picked up on by anyone except my dear mum. It was a chronic case of glue ear and required my adenoids to be removed and various other procedures. Strangely, and wonderfully, I now have perfect hearing and am privileged to actually remember my first sound, which was leaves rustling on a tree, something I will never forget. My first musical experience was hearing a band play live. It was 1975, and I had just received this gift of hearing when my parents took my sister and me to Edinburgh to see the Royal Military Tattoo. I was enjoying the whole spectacle and, in particular, the sound of the military drums, but, at the end, there was a lone piper playing up in the castle and the sound and enchanting atmosphere made me cry, not in a bad way but in a way I couldn’t describe. (much to my older sister's amusement, as she has never let me forget that moment). My mum was convinced that the lack of hearing in my younger years allowed me to develop an acute sonic sense and a hunger for new sounds. This mixtape was made a long time ago, it sold many copies and gave me the confidence that people liked the music I played and would be happy to pay for it. Obviously not very balearic but it took me weeks to perfect in one take! Pooky 2) When did you discover the art of DJ’ing? Who were your favourite DJ’s? If you’d met someone who would be willing to start DJ’ing, what would you tell him/her about the craft? I’d always loved sharing music with people from an early age on, and by the time I turned fourteen (1985), I was already running my own little sound system with my mate Rob. Crazy Daze Disco was our name, and rocking out church halls was our game!! We were truly bad at it and were often thrown out and not paid because of the inappropriate, expletive-laden hip-hop played at extreme volume. Haha! We loved every minute of it, unlike the crowd !! About the same time, my first experience of DJ’ing, as we now know it, was when a friend introduced me to a guy called Mike Clark, who was publicly known as DJ Trix . Mike, by coincidence, lived in the same village and, unbeknownst to me, was already a world-class hip-hop DJ. I had a good knowledge of and deep affection for hip-hop culture and the art of DJing, but had never seen it performed live before. One day we went round to see Mike and there he was with his two Technics 1200 turntables and a Phonic MRT60 mixer (he later went on to design his own for signature model for Vestax). It was a real eureka moment for me, and it literally changed the course of my life. Mike also used to play at a legendary night called The Defhouse , run by another great DJ, Desa , who later went on to form The Bassheads . There was also Stu Allan’s iconic “Bus Diss” radio show, a firm favourite. By 1988 I had bought my own pair of Technics and Gemini MX2200 mixer (a signature mixer from DJ Cash Money who I later got to sign it). If I were going to give anyone advice on the craft, I would first ask why they want to be a DJ and what they expect from it. Those answers would inform my advice. 3) You run the Bonsai Hi Fi Sound System . How did the journey start? Were you influenced by David Mancuso? Can you tell us more about your journey as a musical host? I guess the journey started around the late 1990s. I had heard whisperings of David Mancuso’s New York parties in magazines, etc., and in 1999(ish), I was working in a record shop when some boxes arrived from the Nuphonic record label titled “The Loft.” The track listing looked very interesting, so I bought both the vinyl box sets and the CDs, a double buy I’d been doing since 1995. I had transitioned to DJing with CDs since I started buying them in 1990, but I still bought the same albums on vinyl to maintain those analogue skills. I have a CD copy of nearly every album or single I own on vinyl, or records, as I prefer to call them. Mad but true. I had already made an immediate move to digital, as it was obvious to me that the future would be that way, something I would pivot from again when I returned to predominantly using records for the Bonsai Hi Fi parties. I poured over the incredible liner notes for days, and my mind was absolutely blown away!! I wanted to build my own system and have complete creative and musical control. That was the genesis moment. I continued DJ’ing every weekend until 2015, when I sold my wine business to start Bonsai Hi Fi Sound System with the help and advice of Colleen’s wonderful husband, Adam. He invited me to my first London Loft party in 2015, and there was a moment when Colleen played a song called "Rushing To Paradise" (how apt). That was the exact moment (on that dancefloor) that I knew it was going to be my final chapter of DJing or musical presentation in this case. My thesis, if you like. I also happened to bump into the aforementioned Desa, whom I hadn’t seen in years, and some other friends on the dance floor that very special night. It felt like a sign. I had achieved everything I wanted to do in nightclubs and wasn’t happy with the way the club scene was going, or the way DJ’s were presenting themselves; it seemed like ego had completely taken over from doing something for the love of it. Twenty people on a line-up, each playing for an hour, seems like trying to write a book where everyone writes a sentence. I love being a resident DJ; it’s so much more fulfilling to know the regulars and all the staff. Also, I do not like playing on stages; I prefer DJ’ing on the same level as dancers, so I can see the whites of their eyes and their gorgeous, big smiles. It is less important for me to be seen and more important to be heard, “Loud And Clear” as my friend Andrew Pirie might say (If you're reading this, Andrew, I’m sending you lots of positive energy!!!!) . Another person I would like to mention is Andrew. The Bonsai Hi-Fi parties are held in the most beautiful setting in the middle of pretty much nowhere, on his family’s farm on the Wirral. Andrew has been my best mate and partner for as long as I can remember, and landing on the farm as our venue (which took a while for the penny to drop for both of us) is very special. I’d bought and built the system without a thought for where I was actually going to put it. He creates an amazing atmosphere and is always centre stage on the dance floor when the work is done, alongside my incredible wife and daughter, who keep me sane and make it all possible, not to forget Kerry, who basically runs the event space like an absolute goddess! 4) I vividly remember the mix you did for Balearic Breakfast , as it is a perfect example of a well-balanced set, with ups and downs, a nice musical unity and a strong rhythmic feel too. How did you prepare for that one? Thank you. I search for new music for about an hour or two every night, have been doing so for years. When I have enough new tracks that feel like they belong together, I make an old-school mixtape or CD for me and my wife to listen to. As a DJ, I am definitely against playing one genre. As the musical host at Bonsai Hi Fi it’s a little bit different as I don’t play much hip hop or drum n bass, it’s more of a delicate hedonistic vibe of disco, deep house, soul, funk and a dash of reggae, fairly organic to be honest. My brain likes the double-sided nature of going bat shit crazy on three CDJ’s in a club or the delicate playing of one song from beginning to end at Bonsai Hi Fi parties. I very much have my own take on the music, I don’t play many of the incredible records David Mancuso played, it’s more his party ethos and sound system ideas that I have been inspired by. I don’t want to be seen as a tribute act; it’s more out of respect for his amazing legacy that Colleen helps maintain (you’re an incredible Lady Colleen!) . Putting together mixes is something I’ve always loved doing and spend a great deal of time on, and if you visit my Soundcloud or Mixcloud pages, some of my work is up in the 50,000 listens count. That gives me a great feeling to share the music I love, and because of the nature of only playing four parties a year, it’s a way of keeping that line of communication open. 5) Can you tell us more about what lies ahead for you in 2026? More parties, building Bonsai Hi Fi to its maximum potential whilst staying true to myself and the amazing family that Bonsai has become. I prefer not to talk about anything in the pipeline until it’s a done deal (I’ve always thought it loses its power when discussed), but I am very excited for the future. As long as the people come, we will be there!