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For the dance elite, the sunny European island locale of Ibiza, serves as an extended Miami Winter Music Conference where patrons and celebrities the world over come to hear top DJs like Sasha, Paul Oakenfold and Fatboy Slim debut the tracks that will burn up airwaves and dance floors this fall, regenerating the dance world in the process.
One of those tracks is Underworld's "Two Months Off" from A Hundred Days Off (due September 2nd), the group's first record since the departure of Darren Emerson. "So far we've heard that 'Two Months Off' is now a big tune over in Ibiza," frontman Karl Hyde says. "A lot of the big DJs -- people like Sasha -- have got behind it and we're really thrilled. You lock yourself away and you make a record and you've no idea how it's going to work out. We didn't set out to contrive anything. We were just making the best record we could make, so when it actually starts hitting the dance floor and people start liking it, you think, 'Wahey! We're still here!'"
Also still here are Groove Armada, who told the world about their new effort Love Box at the Axe Effect private party in the Ibiza town San Antonio, and Judge Jules, who announced that he's working on his first U.S. released mix album for fall. So far London duo Layo and Bushwacka have secured a buzz for their fall full-length, Nightworks, due out September 10th on XL Recordings -- their track "Love Story," gaining momentum off spins by DJs including Ministry of Sound's Gareth Cooke. Frenchmen Cassius have also become favorites with the crowd at Club Pacha with tracks from their October 1st Astralwerks release Au Reve.
Elsewhere on the island, Philly native, Josh Winx's remix of "Chutney" is wearing out the needles of Pete Tong, Timo Maas, Carl Cox and Paul Oakenfold. As for John Digweed, currently stateside on the Area2 tour with Moby, his track "Emerald," with Bedrock production partner Nick Muir has stunned the crowds at the club, Space, during Sasha's set.
Major celebrities like Michael Jackson and Donna Summer are also being heard, thanks to special, sometimes unauthorized, bootleg remixes. This year's top classic has turned out to be a breaks style remix of Summer's "I Feel Love" by British duo, the Plump DJs.
And the celebs themselves have been popping up in person on the island. So far P. Diddy, Dido, British dance act Faithless, Jamiroquai's Jay Kay and Kylie's younger sister Danni Minogue have all chimed in at various parties on the isle. Even Jennifer Lopez, busy working on new films, has reportedly been on the island to work on the follow up to J-Lo with contributions from British garage act Artful Dodger.
For the superclubs, Ibiza has been rewarding as well. British brand Cream, currently reviewing their Liverpool operation due to low turnouts, haS found their international endeavors, like their night at the Ibiza locale Amnesia, flooded with patrons.
"So far this year has been our most successful season," said Cream spokesperson Gill Nightingale. "The scene just continues to get bigger over there. There is a greater increase of both European and American visitors to the island, which is great for us, as these people get a glimmer of the Cream experience."
Ian Mackley, General Manager of Ministry of Sound in Ibiza concurs. "The parties just seem to be getting better and better, with outstanding performances from some of the big U.S. jocks, Tedd Patterson and Derrick Carter to more home-grown talent namely Marc Hughes, our Ibiza resident and Audio Bullys. The after-party at Space is twice as busy than last year, with over 2,000 people through the door every Saturday morning."
JOLIE LASH
(August 15, 2002)