With December here, Ban Ban Ton Ton is looking back on the musical year. Since Japanese superstition holds 7 as her luckiest number, we’re gonna try to keep each selection tight to this total, in the hope that our conjuring of 7 X 7 X 7 X … will collectively manifest some magic for 2025. You may witness some attempts to creatively bend the rules, blur / invent genres and rinse formats, in order to squeeze in as many great releases as possible…
Paraphrasing the Soul Sonic Force and sorting through today`s releases for tunes that could have graced Alfie & Leo’s Amnesia dance-floor… Looking For The Balearic Beat…
This 12 from DJ Sotofett featured 3 increasingly dubbed, delayed, deranged versions – including a techno-tinged skanking Aci Dub – but my favourite was the “main” mix, which bleeped and soared above souped-up jazz syncopation, a la Carl Craig’s classic Bug In The Bassbin.
There was a lot of Acieeed knocking about in 2024, and the PBR Streetgang remix of Joe Harvey’s Movin On Acid, was one fine example. A mid-tempo chugger, it trance-dances its way toward a John Carpenter Sci-Fi movie score synth finale.
Hudson’s Choice’s debut E.P., Myatts Field, co-produced with Frank Spangler aka Jimpster, contained a couple of cuts that could be considered “Balearic”. Acidman was a terrific sonic tapestry of TB-303, sitar and Hindu mantra, while the title track wove a wonderful Lola / Wax The Van like groove.
I`ve been a sucker for a Spanish guitar since hearing The Gipsy Kings` Bambeleo in a dodgy South London club whilst on a Cali more than 3 decades ago. Lono Ritmo’s Luz De Luna is packed with such Balearic house tropes, but its remixes in particular deliver them so well – which is no surprise considering Willie Graff and DJ Pippi`s White Isle pedigree. The vocal’s hooks seal the deal as it switches between melancholy, passionate and celebratory.
This track might be built around multiple infectious, intoxicating loops, but every time it hits its own Spanish guitar section I experience a William Pitt / City Lights moment.
Silvertooth’s cover of Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson’s Shut Um Down came in a variety of different versions. Among them, Pop Up 2 Get Down’s rework recalled the soulful, socially conscious Acid Jazz of Galliano and The Sandals, while the acidic A Dub From Outer Space proved a big hit at ALFOS. with its Rolling Stones piano, echoed axe licks, and the odd rattle of Andrew Weatherall and Hugo Nicolson’s favourite, top timbale.
Woodleigh Research Facility / Vous Du
WRF reimagined Erick Legrand’s Voodoo Music as sleazy Chicago house. Retitled Vous Du the results were part James “Jack Rabbit” Martin, and part Chris & Cosey’s Dancing Ghosts.
REISSUES / REMIXES
Martin Buscaglia / Cerebro, Orgasmo, Envidia & Sofía (Bosq Remix)
Squeezed onto a cute 45, Bosq’s new bump of Martin Buscaglia’s Cerebro, Orgasmo, Envidia & Sofia was a crazy, kazoo-ed party-starter that never failed to give my spirits a shove.
Chipen / Volao
Berlin-based distributor Sound Metaphors, via one of their labels, Miss You, rescued this brilliant bit of jubilant Barcelona Elkin & Nelson-esque jive*. Over the last 12 months, I did sometimes wonder if I would have been able to keep “Looking For The Balearic Beat” alive, if it weren’t for Sound Metaphors’ assistance.
*(Daniele Baldelli and Marco Diogini’s dub of Jibaro also deserves a mention here).
Coil / The Snow (Meat Beat Manifesto Mix)
Coil’s The Snow was dark, breakbeat-driven gear. The Meat Beat Manifesto Answers Come In Dreams mix in particular presented some serious shamanic shaking. Partnering a relentless EBM / industrial rhythm with Coil’s occult colourings. The combination serving to suck the listener / dancer deep into its sinister shadows. Surrounded by the spectres and hell fire preachers of Eno & Byrne’s Bush Of Ghosts. Not so much trance as possession.
As Archeo Recordings celebrated their 10th anniversary they reissued this super sought after former flea market find on a 7 and a 12 with an array of fresh remixes.
Flowered Up / Weekender (Beyond The Wizards Sleeve Re-Animation)
Richard Norris and Erol Alkan regrouped as Beyond The Wizards Sleeve for a fantastic re-animation of Flowered Up’s Weekender. Produced as part of the 30th anniversary package for the band’s album, A Life With Brian, they slowed and spaced-out the original, without diminishing any of the anthem’s power, or now sad poignancy. Richard’s tribute to his fallen friend, Weatherall’s Last Stand, its Arp arpeggios approximating the Guvnor’s modern marching motorik, would have also made this list if I wasn’t limiting myself to only a lucky 7 selections.
John Greek / Hot For Your Body
DFA reissued this super sleazy synth-y rock oddity / rarity. Velvet Season & The Hearts Of Gold made it even sleazier, increasing its length and girth to over 10 minutes, while slowly crawling on all fours toward a barely controlled climax. DFA also dug out a dynamite piece of lost `80s disco-not-disco from Mudd Club alumni Dickie Landry.
David Holmes / Blind On A Galloping Horse Remixes
David Holmes’ brilliant album Blind On A Galloping Horse received a rake load of remixes. Many of them, once again, spiked with acid. Rich Lane’s rework of Yeah X 3 channelled pioneering Chicago producer Adonis Smith aka Jack Frost. Hardway Bros’ muscular mycelial mix of Too MuchRoom delivered an even heavier dose. Another standout was Phil Kieran’s proper pukka punk funk poke at Necessary Genius, where he jammed on Joy Division and Simple Minds’ Theme For Great Cities.
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