Berlin-based label, ELSI, recently reproduced a little bit of dance music history. At the imprint’s request, legendary Italian DJ Leo Mas, took a step back in time, and recreated one his sets from during his residency at Ibiza’s Amnesia. Giving us an authentic hour long mix of some of the sounds that shaped the summer of 1987. An eclectic selection that, when exported back to the UK, subsequently sparked and ignited “The Second Summer Of Love” and rave. 

Leo’s remit was indie and rock. Don’t forget that in `87 there weren’t enough Chicago imports available to spin house music all night long. So what you get is an energetic segue of favourites, such as Fini Tribe’s “De Testimony” and The Woodentops’ live, Ecstasy-fuelled take of “Why”, enthusiastically bumped up against classic EBM from Liaisons Dangereuses, Nizter Ebb and A Split Second. Plus lesser known post-punk funkers from acts like The Cassandra Complex, Chakk and Single Gun Theory.

The cassette’s artwork features an image of dancers lifted from an iconic Amnesia poster, and inside you’ll find liner notes penned by me. If you were still looking for the “Balearic Beat, well, now you’ve found it. Here’s hoping this is only the first in a series. 

Leo Mas’ “The Dark Side | Amnesia Ibiza, Summer 1987” mix can be ordered directly from ELSI.