To help celebrate / commemorate 10 years in the hosting and soundtracking sunset business, Cap Negret’s Hostal La Torre, are releasing Volumen Cinco of their cracking compilation series. The collection’s curators, Pete Gooding and Mark Barrott, have selected a typically eclectic set of 15 tracks. Tunes, such as Software’s Present Voice, an eccentric piece of `80s electronic erotica, are a conscious homage to the White Isle’s past, in particular Cafe del Mar’s José Padilla-helmed 1990s heyday. Said track is a recognised “José Classic”. However, the pair are also at pains to have La Torre develop a distinct musical identity of its own. From Eric Serra’s symphonic score for Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element to the energetic dance-floor Afro of Auntie Flo. 

There’s jazz from Aqua Bassino and Barrott himself. Their When The Bird Flies and When Devils Become Gods, respectively, both also blurring the boundary with classical. Arthur Verocai’s taste of tender Tropicalia, Cabocio, is definitely “jazz-adjacent, while Nina Simone’s Come Ye is a passionate percussive civil rights call to arms, that’s sadly needed now more than ever. 

A couple of kinda big pop names crop up. Talk Talk contribute Wealth from their hugely influential 1988 album, Spirit Of Eden. Less “Rock” and more an ambient atmosphere inspired by improv and Miles Davis, it’s widely acknowledged as a key  / major progenitor of the post-rock genre. Folk comes with a dark twist, care of Mazzy Star and Fade Into You, the duo’s famous ballad dedicated to doomed, obsessive desire. 

There’s techno, Detroit-influenced, “hauntological” and IDM, from µ-Ziq, Boards Of Canada, and Mark Seven’s pre-Mark Seven project, Point Zero. Even house gets a look in. Eden Burns & Christopher Tubbs’ flashing back, rushing with their rave arms in the air and authentically asking Where Were U In 92?, while N.Y. House’n Authority’s APT. 3B is an undisputed deep landmark, from New Jersey producer Rheji Burrell. 

The album ends, though, with Yukihiro Takahashi’s sophisticated city pop. Present is the song that Barrott routinely chose to close his slots at La Torre, while a resident. Now living off-grid, and recovering from / working through personal tragedy, the track is loaded with memories and completes the collection on an extremely personal note. 

Hostal La Torre Volumen Cinco will be available at all good record stores toward the end of June. You can pre-order and listen at Juno.