Freshly dressed after a double helping of made to measure goodness, Aficionado size up another summer time smash for the sandal-wearing masses. Keen to capture the coastal cool of the Wirral peninsula, the label crack out the crystals and summon strange-wave sorceress Brenda Ray for another hit of her interplanetary excellence. Wandering from new age haze to celestial rays on this tripped out trio, our genre blending genius takes the fourth world into the fifth dimension of psychedelic sound. Our spiritual journey begins with the chakra cleansing 'Solartude', an out-of-body beauty which bathes us in swirling flute, dreamy chimes and shimmering tape delay before sending us off towards the Orient.
Eastern tones and hushed vocals ride a glistening sequence as this flawless fusion of exotica and dub suggests a medicated Martin Denny stumbling out of Chinatown and into a humid mangrove. Next stop on the voyage of self discovery is 'Space Dustin', a lunar lullaby for lucid dreamers which sees Brenda spin Fairlight mallets, celestial keys and whispered vocals into an immersive ode to the outer rim. Floating free of space and time, perhaps you too can glimpse the excellent birds. Over on the flipside and the temperature begins to rise. 'Skip, Hop To Bop' sees Brenda dabbling with dub Techno, setting Basic Channel synths and stirring strings to a skittering rhythm. Dislocated and disoriented we descend into a strange subterranean world of Rothschild parties, Lynchian noir and muffled Techno. Surrounded by swirling voices, shuffling percussion grabs hold of you and all that remains is to sway. Officially Aficionado. More

Aficionado enjoyed a storming start to 2017, serving up a pair of sell out EPs from either end of the Balearic shoreline - now they're back with one more for Good Measure. Teaming up with the Mancunian fashion house for a second season, this sonic selection pack is softer than velvet, smoother than silk and more durable than Moonboots' P.E. kit. Pour yourself a spritz, slip into something stylish and bask in the brilliance of 'Good MeasurePt.2' More

While the rest of the world basks in the 'Body Glo' of a dreamy label debut from Australia's Bronze Savage, Moonboots & Boardman are straight back to business, uniting a diverse cast of Mancunian talent for a four track collaboration with clothing brand Good Measure. After romancing our ears with the emotional pop of 'Delicious Crime' back on Nado 1001, Half Silk returns to Balearic base camp with the exotic exploits of 'Tsukimi', a coastal cooler for hot Summer nights. Borrowing a bustling bossa from the libraries of Japan, the mystery man canters through infectious organ licks, eleki guitars and subdued synths, darting between Surf and City Pop with a trail of tape delay in his wake. Taking the reins for the A2, King Clyde swaps the sophisticated sway of the Far East for the well-thrown shapes and vivid colours of Nigeria, packing 'Request Line' with red hot Afrobeat brilliance.
As crunchy guitar and distorted organ ride punchy drums and dexterous bass, the track swaggers out of the speakers like Shaun Ryder in a dashiki, demanding complete dance floor attendance from anyone in earshot. Things take a turn for the sublime on the B1 as Dream Lovers deliver a suitably somnolent cover of the Vini Reilly masterpiece 'For Belgian Friends'. While a stripped back rhythm section keeps its hypnotic time, airy guitars and metallic keys blend the sticky heat of Thai streets with Caribbean calm, laying us softly to rest on a bed of gossamer melody. The Records We Never Made maintains that medicated pace to bring proceedings to a close with the horizontal beauty of 'On A Whispered Way', a delicate haze of melancholic downbeat for the latest night or earliest morning. The steady pulse of reverberating percussion leaves plenty of room for the gentle acoustic strum and shimmering textures which echo through the soundscape, transporting us to someplace different entirely. Officially Aficionado. More

rriving at their 20th release in typically eclectic fashion, Nado turn from a laidback Luke to a Tasmanian devil, summoning synth mystic Bronze Savage to bring his unique electronics to their unstoppable imprint. Hailing from Hobart's piers rather than pavements, the Australian producer trades in a sun-bleached house sound alive with ocean spray and salty air, perfect for playing at that magic hour when the sun dips into the sea. The keen-eared may have caught Savage's collaborative cassette release with Roland Tings on Vancouver's 1080p back in 2013, but this release marks the producer's first appearance on vinyl and on his own; a testament to Moonboots' and Boardman's A&R expertise. Oceanic textures and interlocking sequences invite us into the EP opening 'Waxed Apple', combining beautifully with heat treated percussion and rolling bass to set the evening in motion. Slow, slinky but still slightly slamming, this glittering taste of Balearic house should sit very nicely next to Andras Fox and A Vision Of Panorama's additions on the imprint. The sampledelic 'Forgive Me' follows on like a poolside parley between Art Of Noise and a catatonically stoned Front 242, boasting thick bass, dreamy synths and some expert sample manipulation. Closing the A-side out in St. Tropez splendour is the simmering and sultry house of 'Body Glo', a Rousseau painted with tropical birdsong, phasing synth washes, deep house pads and the vaguest hint of digidub. Things take a turn for both the lysergic and the cosmic on the flip as Bronze Savage launches the metronomic 'Krang's Makeover' into the clear sky. Putting his own antipodean twist on the typically Scandinavian space Disco sound, the producer fuses the acidic and the aquatic via bubbling sine waves, expansive textures and a driving 303 which propels us up into the atmosphere. The world looks peaceful from way up there, and the dreamy 'Spearmint Milk' is the perfect soundtrack to our celestial explorations. Tracing a hazy shape with chimes, washes and wriggling bass, Savage brings proceedings to a close with a touch of cool and calm electronic in line with Larry Heard's majestic 'Sceneries Not Songs'. Officially Aficionado. More

After a spot of chronological chaos last time out, Nado regain their numerical composure with a sumptuous four tracker from New York renaissance man Quinn Lamont Luke (Bing Ji Ling) Loose and limber after a chakra aligning cover of Loose Ends for Phantom Island last summer, the Paqua frontman brings his linen suit and boat shoes to the good ship Nado, joining Moonboots and Boardman for a relaxed session of horizontal dancing. Taking a pleasant vacation from his trademark blue eyed soul, QLL packs up the mic and lets the music do the talking, treating us to a dreamy quartet of instrumental grooves. 'Primavera' opens the EP with a dubby drum-box bump, getting heads nodding and shoulders rolling before white funk riffs and starry eyed strumming lead us on a stroll down the coast. After sharing a knowing glance with Paqua's 'Visitor', dreamy piano and a fuzzy guitar solo come to the fore, burning bright till long after sunset. Out of the dying embers and cicada rhythms comes the warm and comforting funk of 'Verano', a low slung disco masterpiece alive with melodic intricacy and sonic warmth - hold a loved one close and pass the joint. The drum machine returns for B-side opener 'Ontono', keeping the pace slow and low while moody synth bass and sticky guitar dance around an emotive lead line. Drinking from the same crystal as Blue Gas and Wally Badarou, this dramatic dancer should prompt smouldering stares and bitten lips all over the club.
Quinn moves gracefully from the sultry to the sumptuous, bringing the curtain down with sublime, piano-led beauty of 'Invierno'. Meditative and melodic, this heart swelling serenade snatches the end-of-night crown from 'La Ritournelle' and wears it with pride. Officially Aficionado. More

If this latest missive from Camp Nado is anything to go by, we're in for a scorching Summer. Stretching languorously over the whole of the A-side, 'Bushfarmer' sees the Yorkshire duo harness the power cosmic at the heart of 'Transfer Station Blue' and 'E2-E4' to perfectly soundtrack the blazing embers of the setting sun. Over the course of a totally immersive ten minutes, the track transforms from a lone guitar to a widescreen symphony of kosmische psychedelia, slowly buildingthrough nebulous FX, frazzled sequences and skittering rhythms. As we head into the second half of the opus, the guitar drops out and the track drifts along in a hazy soundscape, before taking us home with a low slung space disco groove. Epic in any sense of the word, this is one trip you can't afford to miss. Aficionado present another debutante on the B-side, enticing Balearic royalty Penelope Antenna (daughter of Isabelle) to grace the label with the siren song of 'Tradewinds'. A coastal serenade awash with lapping waves and gentle cicadas, this horizontal jam seems to float in a heat haze, swaying gently to a laid back rhythm while sweltering keys and gentle chimes suggest an endless Summer. Reaching for the factor 50, Mr Cobby tops a drum box backbeat with buttery bass and smooth keys, pushing the vocal up in the mix to serve up a flavourful portion of Summery soul food. Adding discofied guitar, jazzy organ and a killer breakbeat as the track progresses, the Fila Brazilia man ensures his remix sizzles until the last seconds. More

After closing the year with four tracks of wintery house from San Laurentino, Aficionado set their sights on the spring with their latest release, which comes courtesy of Glaswegian trio Imperfect Product. Opening with a drifting dreamscape, reminiscent but intangible (entirely fitting for a track reborn out of decade's old rehearsal tapes) 'Solina' blooms into colour and focus at the rattle and crash of a jazzy drum break. An irresistible rolling bassline carries the groove onwards and upwards, loosening your shoulders nicely before spiralling synthesisers, swaggering wah guitar and rippling piano take your breath away completely. As the fuzzy organ stabs and shimmering drones flood the soundscape, you're overcome with memories of youthful mixtapes where Innerzone Orchestra and Eddie Henderson rubbed shoulders with 'Summer Madness'. Understated but overwhelming, 'Solina's' sweltering perfection works just as well as an end of night life changer as the soundtrack to a spliff and sangria in the back garden. On the B-side, London's Les Crocodiles deconstruct the track inna dubwise style, turning up the heat for some far out Balearic beat. The head nodding rhythm holds things together perfectly while the acid-tinged rubber bassline, echo drenched middle eastern strings and psychedelic synth lines do their very best to totally blow your mind. As you head deeper into the groove, the dreamy piano of the original leads us into a euphoric breakdown before pulling us back in for more ecstatic dancing. A score of releases in and with no two records sounding the same, Aficionado continue to fly the flag for open minded music. Officially Aficionado. More

Awaking from the dreamstate of Gryningen's hazy library inspired 10", we find Aficionado's expert selectors well rested and in the mood for a dance.
Utilising their extensive network of global connections, Moonboots and Boardman enlist Hungarian producer San Laurentino to raise spirits and pulses with a deep and diverse collection of body movers. Perfectly conjuring the nostalgic melancholy its title suggests, opening track 'First Love' takes us by the hand for one last dance under the stars. Cinematic pads sweep around a snapping drum pattern as a signorina from Rimini embraces a Basildon boy, seeing out the summer season to the hair raising chords and spine tingling sequences of a San Laurentino's masterpiece. While that holiday romance might have come to an end, 'Back To The Stars' leads you off in search of new experiences. Emotive pads, undulating bass sounds and celestial keys vie for attention while the solid kick, intricate percussion and lively hats play out a swaying rhythm. Then all of a sudden the track changes tack completely, tripping out to a modular melody and sinuous techno bassline before reaching a soul soothing conclusion. On the B-side 'Long Way Home' lulls us into a false sense of security via a gentle drumbox bossa, before thick bass stabs and a tough new beat rhythm take control of our bodies. Once again San Laurentino packs the track with atmospheric chords but this time adds delicate guitars and subtle piano, balancing the steely rhythm section with deep emotional resonance. Closing the EP with unrivalled sophistication, 'Amici' sees San Laurentino drop the tempo and concoct an irresistible low slung groove before expanding our minds with wavering pads, hypnotic chimes and misty synth vox. The perfect finale to an EP certain to leave you misty eyed on the dancefloor. Officially Aficionado More

After the international affair of NADO015, Moonboots' and Boardman train their gaze a little closer to home for the latest Aficionado release, welcoming the return of the majestic Stratus to the label. Back in 2013, the outfit gifted the world the sweeping beauty of the 'Spring Tide EP', a fuzzy hybrid of Dorothy Ashby, Pat Methany and Manuel Gottsching which soundtracked many a horizontal afternoon in the late Summer sun. Now Mat Antony returns to the imprint with another four tracks of intricate, immersive genius, primed to fling open the doors of perception and guide you into a brave new world. 'Axis' eases us into proceedings with the gentle cadence of languid guitar, allowing us a moment of hazy tranquility before an explosion of symphonic funk sends us spinning away into a different plane of consciousness entirely. The lost soundtrack to a peyote fuelled Sergio Leone flick, 'Axis' is a lone ranger riding an Axelrod rhythm deep into the desert while the chiming bells, choral vocals and campfire guitars swirl and eddy in the dry heat. On the A2, 'Oxwich' offers a glimpse of lush vegetation, flora and fauna in full swing in the tranquil paradise of a rich oasis. Opening with a field recording of a tropical lakeside, the track blossoms into life with rhythmic guitar, gentle percussion and a pastoral bassline, all washed through with a fuzzy psychedelia, before wavy North African melodies shimmer this way and that in the midday swelter. 'Solstice' sees Antony embracing the mellow magic of a violet dusk, taking us on a stoned journey into cinematic jazz territories with an Air of French sophistication. The relaxed charm of gentle Rhodes paints an endless horizon before the celestial keys and glittering arps scatter stars far across the heavens. 'Tisno' closes the EP out in more earthly surroundings as aquatic keys lap over organic percussion, and airy strings breeze over the thick and sticky bassline. Fragile piano chords glimmer in and out of the dubby soundscape, suggesting an emotional release finally realised by the euphoric sequence which closes the track and the EP. This is a vivid, expressionist masterpiece from Stratus, and another essential release from a flawless label. Officially Aficionado More

Turn on, tune in and drop out - Aficionado are back once again to fully adjust your frequencies. Riding coastal breeze and gulf stream down from the north, Swedish space cadets Farbror Resande Mac made a positive connection with Manchester's Balearic chieftains and beamed aboard the SS NADO for five boundless expeditions into distant sound space. 'Hagringen' makes its way out of the main hanger on a steady bass pulse and mechanical percussion, punches coordinates for the Tannhauser Gate and makes the jump into hyperspace. At once graceful but intense thanks to stately synth washes and insistent acid lines, it isn't long before we're watching c-beams glitter in the dark. From here to an eternity of blissful soma as 'Chemtrails' dopes us up on the observation deck, watching the wonders of the galaxy unfold in 5D. The steady bass pulse rumbles on in the background but we're too far gone in a nebula of swirling synth and expansive guitar to pay much attention. Cosmic winds scatter our thoughts here and there like the gentle rain of percussion which mists the latter stages of the track. Even astronauts get homesick, so head to the holodeck and drink in the sounds and sights of midnight in the city. 'Stockholmsnatt' joins you at the bar in a red dress, listens to your troubles with a seductive rhythm, flatters you with coastal guitars and pulls you close for a slow dance with a full bodied sax right out of your night fantasies. After a moment's R&R the mission continues with 'Pacific Northeast', an atmospheric journey into the Froesean galaxy where kosmische chords and proggy guitars follow the trace of high definition sequences and ancient rhythms. And just like that we're at our destination, cruising through the heart of the love quadrant, strung out on 'Quaaludes' preparing for one last space walk.
Gentle guitar licks flirt with a swaying slow beat as Farbror Resande Mac send us spinning into infinity with a final, heart swelling melody. Officially Aficionado More

While Steve Davis may be scouring the second hand market, filling his collection with top dollar psyche obscurities, it's fair to say that Moonboots and Boardman have the rare Balearic market covered. From the sunkissed tones of North African thumb piano to the camp sleaze of European disco, Aficionado have everything in your wantlist and more; those mythical records you need but have yet to imagine. One such artefact is a collection of future primitive symphonies from the unheralded Len Leise, a visionary composer of organic soundscapes who lives hidden in the same dreamworld as his music. Rumours are rife as to where Aficionado found this cassette of rainforest swelter; some say Moon found it buried in a vault in the red sand of the outback, while others suggest Jason discovered the tape propping open a door in a backstreet off La Rambla. Either way, we're spared the exhaustive search thanks to this gorgeous 12" vinyl pressing. The five tracks drift out the speakers like the perfumed smoke of ceremonial incense, filling the senses with the sound and feeling of a distant land; field recordings from another time and place. In its original form, 'Asmat Images' pairs tribal rhythms and rich organic textures, balancing earthy tones with the gentle melody of rainfall on cracked soil, while the ambient mix echoes the tranquility of a Jan Hammer soundtrack thanks to widescreen guitar licks. 'Another Place' offers a change of pace as the rattle and thump of a lost NY house classic blur into the gentle lilt of a tropical ceremony while exotic keys flourish from the humidity of new age pads. The sweet fragrance of cherry blossom runs through the eastern tones of 'Ryoshi's Garden' as Leise invites us to drink rice wine with a drunken master. We say goodbye with the gorgeous melancholy of 'Spirit of Ssanyu', a heartbreaking blend of atmospheric guitar, the Fairlight harmonies of the Art Of Noise and celestial vocals. Expressionistic, colourful and deeply transportive, Leise delivers a Balearic masterpiece on Manchester's essential label. Officially Aficionado. More

Those expert ears at Aficionado work their magic once again to coax two stunning sounds out of the aether and into the warmth and comfort of a 12". Harnessing the power of the international Balearic brotherhood, 'nado sought out these sublime frequencies from Italian sorcerers Tempelhof and transmitted them directly into our lives. Freshly inspired from recording an album with ambient maestro Gigi Masin, the Mantuan duo deliver two pieces united in quality but diverse in mood. On the A-side, 'Piano Piano' captures that bittersweet sensation of a joy you wish would last forever but you can't stop slipping through your fingers.
Rhythmic guitar, emotive piano and rising strings build into a towering sculpture of sound decorated with blossoming chimes and intricate percussion. Over the course of nine minutes Tempelhof take us on a journey through euphoria and melancholy arriving at the perfect Balearic end of nighter. After all that exhilaration we're in need of some respite and our Italian guides duly oblige with B-side cut 'Barbados'. The intro of cadent guitar, serene synth washes and rippling hats invite you to slip your mooring and drift away to a distant land. The track swells like rising waves before crashing into a shower of rattling percussion, loon calls and echo drenched snares. Suddenly your mind floods with memories of Arthur Baker remixing New Order and the guitar and synth return in natural harmony like surf washing over the shore. On this 12" Tempelhof take us on a one way journey to emotional release, flying first class with all the perks. Officially Aficionado More

As the endless blue of Summer sky stretches out ahead of us, the time has come for Nado to perform ancient rituals and summon four tracks of tribal Balearic. Out of the fire emerge Max Essa and Basso, here to soundtrack our Dionysian excess with their other worldly sounds. Max Essa, wanderer from the land of the rising sun and master of sonic vibrations, starts the dance with the exotic beat of 'Chou Chou San'. Afro flavoured drum programming, Oriental synth lines and spiritual pads take us to a land of baking sun and cherry blossom where we move hypnotised all night long. As we wake on the beach the next morning, washing the sleep off our bodies in the cool ocean, the serene sounds of 'Peninsular' sail in on a gentle breeze. Subtle percussion, gorgeous acoustic guitar and cinematic synths cascade in a moment of bliss. From the sandy shore we're led inland to a clearing, where Basso clutches two artifacts from distant lands, ready to transform them before our very eyes. 'Sore Sebi', vibrant with clattering African percussion and fluid bassline, soon transforms from village chant to future primitive hymn in a burst of stargazing electronics. 'Waking Up Late' floats light as a feather on the rising air, beguiling us with its jaunty rhythms and jazzy bass before darting away with its playful melodies. Once again Aficionado conjure sounds to soothe your cares away. More

Aficionado reach their sixth release in luxurious style with a couple of gorgeous numbers cherry picked from Mancunian songwriter Nev Cottee's forthcoming LP, accompanied by two winning remixes. Within the Nilsson-esque melodies of "Oslo", Cottee has buried a lifetime of emotion, balancing melancholy and joy perfectly. His words conjure the image of lost love remembered and fleeting nostalgia as those heartbreaking strings soar along. This is perfect Balearic for the winter seasons. Mancunian tape enthusiast Ruf Dug has been turning heads all over the world in the past few months with his own unique strain of 80s soul, dub and yacht boogie. His remix flies first class from Oslo to the Tropics, adding a lilting rhythm and a heavy Roland snare to create a digital dub supreme. As the track blossoms, the tape delay is so warm you can almost smell what Ruffy's been smoking and it has much the same effect. On the flip, "The Sun Also Rises" is a lush instrumental interlude from Cottee, channeling Byrdsian jangle, music box melody and swooning strings laced with the woozy psychedelia that producers Mason Neely & Carwyn Ellis (Colorama) have made their own. Cottee's delicate guitar sits perfectly within the more esoteric instrumentation, packing a real emotional punch. Miles Copeland of The Superimposers dons his Wonderful Sound moniker to close out the EP with a gorgeous coastal rework of "The Sun Also Rises" that's as fresh as sea air. Miles adds a backbeat groove and his trademark sea organ to remould Nev's instrumental as a Balearic sea shanty that's as English as fish and chips. Warm, unusual, and with just a touch of the Penguin Cafe Orchestra about it, this is a Nado classic in the making.



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Stratus are Mat Anthony and Martin Jenkins, two English gents whose love for warped soundtracks, fuzzed-out psychedelia and analogue aesthetics was distilled in the bittersweet harmonies and wistful bliss of last year's long-awaited second album 'As the Crow Flies', taking in everything from sublime pastoral electronics through to string-laden cosmic rock. No Johnny-come-lately's to tinkering in the studio down the years they've remixed the likes of Serge Gainsbourg, Minimal Compact and Calexico, released records under a variety of aliases for labels including Pussyfoot, Klein, Tigersushi, Hi-Phen, Ghost Box and Fragments whilst notching up the a fair few DJ gigs and lost weekends along the way. The Spring Tide EP finds them dipping their toes in distinctly Balearic waters. Fireflies kicks things off with a mid-tempo cut of driving guitar harmonics, lush Rhodes and sun-kissed strings. My Brother's Keeper channels Cadet-era Dorothy Ashby with a looping harp refrain and low-slung bass and drums.
Lune d'Afrique ups the tempo with swinging Afro drums, mbira and swirling arpeggios before a choral refrain takes it up and beyond. Sympatry was originally written for a timelapse film - lilting acoustic guitar, glockenspiel and Mini-moog lines drenched in reverb that shimmer with a homespun beauty.
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Aficionado is a Manchester institution, a Sunday night session devoted to the musical miracles which many overlook. Moonboots and Jason Boardman have, over many long years at the helm, championed an endless list of lost classics and new delights. It's the very definition of Balearic, without genre or agenda... So it's high time they had a platform to showcase some of their buried treasure with the rest of us. The debut release defines what they're about perfectly. The super talented Shawn Lee (and his Ping Pong Orchestra ) has released some truly amazing music since the mid-nineties, one of his songs was even covered by the stout chinned talent show crooner / pop sensation Will Young. So, who better to take the gentle melodic bossa of the original to the beach bar than Balearic stalwart & 'nado regular guest DJ, Phil Mison ? Phil expertly re-arranges the song, bringing the percussive elements & acoustic guitar to the fore and adding a splash of sonic confectionery. It's basically sunshine on vinyl. Roll on summer More