There’s no mix from me this year to commemorate  / celebrate Jose Padilla’s birthday. To be honest, I’ve exhausted – for now – my stock of songs once spun by the undisputed King Of The Sunset. Instead, I’d like to post just one tune.

Personally I think this piece of music is the most poignant, and perfect, tribute that’s been paid to Jose since his untimely passing. It’s called Auto Verde, named after Mr. Padilla’s green Citroen, and composed by his close compadre, Phil Mison. It can be found on Cantoma’s latest album, See In The Sun.

Phil told me a story about how the track was inspired by his early stays with Jose on The White Isle, up in the hills. How while writing and arranging the melodies he remembered the pair of them readying for a night out. Even on the occasions when he wasn’t DJing, Phil knew he was in for an adventure, full of good music and colourful characters, that would start at the Cafe del Mar. Jose driving, no doubt a little crazily, descending on Sant Antoni de Portmany, Penguin Cafe Orchestra playing in the car.

“We’d be bombing down. The sea in the distance. The sun getting closer. We’d be “Yeah!” We’re nearly there.”

Whenever Phil and I speak Jose always comes up. Phil concerned about his friend’s legacy.  He told me, “It was such a special time. It’ll never be repeated. A whiff of Paloma Picasso’s Minotaure, Jose’s favourite aftershave, though, brings it all flooding back.”

Phil’s backstory makes this wonderful tune all the more magical, and turns it into perhaps the ultimate Cafe del Mar track.