Album: Cafe Mambo Sunset Sessions - Music For Dreams
Artist: Various Artists, compiled by Kenneth Bager
Label: Music For Dreams
Release Date: 07/07/2013
More than just a label name, Music for Dreams really is this compilation in phrase. It soothes the senses whilst at the same time expanding and stimulating the imagination which is, for me at least, the hallmark of great music.
Compiler Kenneth Bager - the man behind the Music For Dreams label and innumerable other musical ventures including running Coma Club and The Flower Festival in his native country Denmark, plus a Sonica radio show and Mambo residency over here in Ibiza - has to be one of music's biggest fans. It takes more than just appreciation to have a music collection and knowledge base as eclectic as his, of which this compilation presents only a drop in the ocean.
Enjoyed best with a Balearic sunset, the double-disc album is for the most part a chilled affair, though Bager has created quite bold fluctuations in emotion, atmosphere and genre within this loose label of ‘chill-out music'. Contemporary indie/rnb artists Jamie Woon sits alongside twentieth century Japanese composer Jun Miyake; classical singer Maria Callas' verbrato has barely faded (and good luck hearing opera anywhere else on the island) before the heavily autotuned melancholy vocals of Johan Johannsson slide into centre stage; electronic producer Stimming (of the popular Diynamic fold) makes an appearance with November Morning, but it's played by the eighty-piece symphony orchestra Brandenburgisches Staatorchester. These juxtapositions are what make the compilation so interesting; in addition to sounding lovely, this collection spoon-feeds you music that you may never have otherwise sought out.
I fired a few questions at the man with the spoon...
The sunset session mix is a very eclectic one, what ties it together? What sort of things did you have in mind when song selecting?
"The selection is put together so it hopefully makes an interesting and timeless compilation- it combines expensive eBay tracks, new electronic names and old fashioned quality - the sort of combination that made Ibiza world famous in the first place!"
Why is it important to play music like this in the high energy, dance-oriented Ibiza?
"I like different styles for different moods! I think it is important to show the visiting people a kaleidoscope of music! Ibiza has possible the worlds most famous sunset - and it has always been known for chill."
What part of the process of creating a mix like this is the most enjoyable to you?
"Selecting the tracks and the running order amongst my collection of 70 000 CDs and vinyls. I spend about 25 hours weekly finding new music, I have been on national radio in Denmark for 4 decades playing the ever-evolving sounds of dance music and in general good quality music within all genres - I love to introduce people to music they haven't been exposed to before!"
For young music listeners looking to discover the more obscure artists in musical history, where should they begin?
"We live luckily in a new world with Shazam and great sites on the Internet! YouTube is a good place to start - the links a YouTube track provide you opens many doors to other tracks that you might like!"
You're already doing a slot on Sonica radio, plus the Music for Dreams Mambo sessions… would you consider running your own club night out here if the opportunity arose?
"I have been doing Radio Sonica for nearly 4 years now and I love it - tune in every Monday morning at 11am! Yes I would love to bring my club flavour to the Island - I have been running a very successful club night in Scandinavia in Denmark called Coma Club - Copenhagen Offers More Action (Comaclub.dk <http://Comaclub.dk> ) since 1988 yes - 1988! We play a big selection of eclectic dance music for very open minded people - we always sell out - and you have to dress to impress to get in- otherwise you get your money back at the door ! We have rarely guests at the Coma Club as it is a hard place to play because the audience expect lots of musical variety!"
Tracklist:
CD1
01. John Heckle - Ode To SAW
02. Maria Callas- Gianni Schicchi:O Mio Babbino Caro
03. Johann Johannson - The Sun's Gone Dim And The Sky's Turned Black
04. Dusty Bacon & Vakula - Follow Shot (V Groove Mix)
05. Mudd & Pollard - Mawson's Walk
06. Olefonken - Ubuntu Tutu
07. Jamie Woon - Night Air (Ramadanman Refix)
08. Marcella Bella - Nell' Aria
09. Jun Miyake - Lillies Of The Valley
10. Rene Aubry - Frenesie
11. Jacob Gurevitsch - Lovers in Paris (Willie May Remix)
12. Homework - Whipped Cream
13. The Kenneth Bager Experience Ft. Hannah Schnedier - Never Ending
14. Kottarashky - September
15. The Buggles - Island
16. Richard Hawley - Coming Home
CD2
01. Ragnarok - Dagarnas Skum (Foam Of The Days)
02. Apelsin - Igatsus
03. Raphael Saadiq - The Answer
04. Outboxx - Back To Phalon
05. Takuya Matsumoto - Drafting Under The Stars
06. NOW NOW NOW - Problem (Ensa Ella Afro Neukolln Edit)
07. Peter Visti - Besos (The Kenneth Bager Remix)
08. Pitto - Mono Desire Featuring Manu Delago
09. Stimming - November Morning (Brandenburgisches Staatorchester Version)
