Guest Selector: Joakim

A musician, DJ, producer and label owner, French artist Joakim Bouaziz creates electronic music that resists categorisation. Since releasing his electro-jazz-fused debut album under the alias Joakim Lone Octet in 1999, the New York-based polymath has pushed the boundaries of modern electronica with a sound that incorporates house, new wave, disco, soul and pop. 

As a live performer, Joakim frequently performs his own music on stage with synths, effects, a bass player and a drummer. After spending much of 2015 on tour to promote his Tropics Of Love LP, Joakim heads up a show at The Berkeley Suite this month – with it being summer and all, we asked him to share the ten tracks that encapsulate the feeling of sunshine. His response? "I've never been to Ibiza and I'm not a specialist of the Balearic genre, so this is my fantasized idea of what Balearic is."

New Edition – Lifetime Groove (Marcos Cabral edit)

There's a connection in my mind between Balearic and cosmic – this track perfectly represents that connection. I could totally see Baldelli play it and I could hear it on any island beach party. Such a good party-starter too.

DFA – 3/5 Human

A 12" I got when I first went to Detroit in 2001 for the first DEMF festival (now called Movement). This trip was incredible for obvious reasons; like a pilgrimage to the Mecca. I recently rediscovered that record while trying to sort my collection in New York – it sounds a bit like a modern techno version of Jean Luc Ponty's Computer Incantation. Definitely a Balearic record. 

Mark Barrott – Bush Society 

Quintessential 'Balearism' on International Feel, a label that knows what it's about: dreamy, tropical, hypnotic, progressive. When I can play this at a club early on, I know it's gonna be a good night.

2 Belgen – In The Night

Who knew New Beat could be Balearic? I love when things defy genres. It's also my curse as a producer!

Nami Shimada – Sun Shower (Larry Levan remix)

One of Larry Levan's last remixes and my favorite Japanese vocal house track. I can only think of a sunny day when I hear it. Maybe it has something to do with Soichi Terada, who produced the original – I recently met him and he is such a sweet and happy guy. 

Spikewave – Inspiration in Form (KI Remix)

Okay, maybe there's a special connection between Japanese producers and 'Balearism'. This one could almost define what Balearic means, if I had to explain it: lush, sunny, deep and positive, ecstatic.

I:Cube – In Alpha 

This was a B-side to one of the most recent I:Cube 12" (from 2012 though). 80s space disco meets Ibiza. 

Rolling Stones – Heaven

One of the most psychedelic Rolling Stones songs (that I know of). Something to end a party with the sunrise, or start one with the sunset. Ocean vibes, colorful skies. Dive in.

Dave Samuels – New Math

Well, this probably was an actual Balearic classic. Steel drums = Balearic, right? There's this wonderful edit of this track by Todd Terje, by the way. 

INPI – INPI (Jimi Bazzouka Edit)

An edit I did a while ago that got put out recently on the most limited release I've ever made. Record magazine made a 50-copies pressing of this and another edit on a 7". I don't know the history of this song, but the marimba arpeggios and weird African vibes make me think of Ibiza.