Balearic
A free, open-minded DJ style from Ibiza that mixes many kinds of relaxed dance music.
History
Balearic is the name for a way of DJing that grew on the Spanish island of Ibiza in the 1980s s1. DJs such as Alfredo Fiorito played long, varied sets that mixed house, disco, pop, soul and European electronic music s1. The point was the mood, not one strict style s1. British DJs who visited the island, including Danny Rampling, Paul Oakenfold and Nicky Holloway, brought the idea home in 1987 s1. They started London clubs such as Shoom and Spectrum, which helped begin the British rave scene s1. José Padilla later used the Balearic idea for the Café del Mar compilations, which collected calm, sunset-friendly tracks s2. Records often linked with the style include Sueño Latino's 'Sueño Latino' (1989) and 808 State's 'Pacific State' (1989). Both also belong to other styles s1. Balearic remains an idea as much as a genre s1. The name is still used for peaceful, mixed DJ sets at beaches, bars and festivals s1. The style was described in dance-music histories such as Last Night a DJ Saved My Life s3.
Sound
- A slow-to-mid tempo, often near 110 BPM
- A wide mix of styles in one set
- Warm, relaxed and melodic tracks
- Sunset or open-air atmosphere
- No single fixed drum or bass sound
Key figures
- Alfredo Fiorito — Ibiza DJ who shaped the Balearic idea
- José Padilla — Café del Mar DJ and compiler
- Danny Rampling — London DJ who brought Balearic back from Ibiza
- Paul Oakenfold — London DJ linked to the Balearic scene
Labels
- Café del Mar Music — Ibiza , 1994
- Expanded Music — Bologna , 1987
Defining tracks
Connections
Led to: Organic House , Progressive House
Sources
- Balearic beat — Wikipedia
- Café del Mar — Wikipedia
- Last Night a DJ Saved My Life: The History of the Disc Jockey — Grove Press (1999)