The Balearic island of Ibiza, let’s step back in time to revisit it’s Top 10 Anthems so far from David Morales to St. Etienne to Lil Louis.
A rock island covering an area of 572.56 square kilometres in the warm Mediterranean Sea, that became the Mecca for electronic music, Ibiza is a celestial powder keg. From the humble beginnings of Alfredo in the Amnesia booth in the 80’s to José Padilla prevailing over Café del Mar in the 90’s to Carl Cox on the Space terrace in the 00’s, the island has uncovered, unveiled and reborn music tracks that have stood the test of time.
So we have handpicked ten tracks that for us signify Ibiza in its best forms. From French Touch to Balearic to kitsch breakbeat, this is our glimpse at what Ibiza means to us and the dance floors these tracks have dominated.
10. The Grid – Flotation (Subsonic Grid Mix)
A balearic classic mixed by his majesty Mr Weatherall.
9. Lil Louis – French Kiss
The 1989 anthem from Marvin Louis Burns aka Lil Louis became a sizzling dance floor moment by the likes of Steve Lawler on the Space terrace.
8. David Morales Presents The Face – Needin’ U
One of the most played tracks in 1998, David Morales sampled ‘Let Me Down Easy’ by Rare Pleasure and the rest is Ibiza history.
7. St Etienne – Only Love Can Break Your Heart
The English pop band were remixed in 1991 by American duo Masters At Work and this MAW Dub particularly caused scenes on the island.
6. Mory Kantè – Ye Ke Ye Ke (Hardfloor Remix)
From the Space Terrace and Carl Cox to Amnesia with Jason Bye, the Hardfloor remix of the Mory Kanté became a sensation on Ibizan dance floors and across the rest of Europe.
5. Cola Boy 7 Ways To Love (Straight To The Head Cola Boy 12″ Mix)
A big favourite of Alfredo back in 1991 on the Amnesia dance floor, UK duo Cola Boy had a couple of hits but this St. Etienne produced track was their defining moment.
4. D’Menace – Deep Menace (Spank) (Joey Negro’s One Way Mix)
In 1998 the Jimmy “Bo” Horne track ‘Spank’ was flipped into a House groove and Joey Negro aka Dave Lee took it one step further.
3. Beloved – The Sun Rising
In 1989 Beloved released this seminal deep house moment. Based on a sample of “O Euchari” by Hildegard von Bingen, ‘The Sun Rising’ was favourited most in the open air iconic club Ku.
2. The Mighty Dub Katz – Magic Carpet Ride (Original)
Norman Cook’s latin hip shaker became the theme for the dastardly tv series ‘Ibiza Uncovered’ and simultaneously was heard everywhere across the island.
1. Joe Smooth – The Promised Land
Anthony Thomas’ vocal performance on ‘Promised Land’ became the voice of a dance floor generation. In 1987 and further every DJ in Ibiza played this track and still do to this day.
