Ondas Horizontales Remixes One, Simon Sheldon Remix

Released in the autumn of 2023, Graham Newby’s second album as Tambores en Benirras, Ondas Horizontales, is a 21st century Balearic classic – an inspired collection of slow-motion, sonically detailed delights inspired by “ambient soundtracks, cosmic journeys, Balearic rhythms and poolside sessions”.

Such a fine album deserves a similarly impressive set of remixes. That’s exactly what has been assembled on Ondas Horizontales Remixes. Following the release of his original album 18 months ago, Newby reached out to 12 artists to request reworks – a mixture of friends, Balearic heroes and rising stars whose music he admires. The results, stretched out across a trilogy of digital download EPs, are uniformly impressive.

Fittingly, volume one begins with back-to-back remixes by long-time friends of the label and Balearic big hitters. Manchester maverick Ruf Dug steps up first and delivers a gorgeously evocative, kaleidoscopic and synth-heavy take on ‘Mi Sueno Vive En Reverb’ – all effects-laden electric piano solos, gentle acoustic guitars, atmospheric field recordings and long, languid bass. He’s followed by Fila Brazillia man Steve Cobby, who conjurs up a near ten-minute revision of ‘Extensor Entregado’ which cannily combies loose, low-tempo jazz breaks, warming Rhodes chords, squelchy acid bass and waves of attractive synthesiser lines. It’s sun-soaked sonic perfection.

To complete the EP, we’re treated to a pair of remixes by lesser-celebrated – but no less talented – artists. Balearic scene stalwarts Andres X Yavi take on ‘Templos Del Sol’, stretching out a blissfully brilliant ambient intro before unleashing dub disco bass, floor-friendly beats and all manner of musical details, while Simon Sheldon fuses effects-laden ambient joy and head-nodding downtempo beats on his sublime revision of ‘Un Placer Celestial’.