Balearic Legends Collaborate To Rework The First Time
Written by Dan Kirwan
It’s always a pleasure to receive a message from DJ Pippi, aka Guiseppe Nuzzo one of the pioneering legends on the Balearic scene, right up there with Alfredo and the late Jose Padilla in establishing the genre on the island. So imagine my delight when Pippi sent me his latest work with Pacha Funky Room DJ and producer, Willie Graff, and accompanying them on strings, the renowned Spanish Guitar player Paco Fernandez adding the cherry on top. Also making a guest appearance is another well-known Balearic producer, Roberto Lodola, best known for his Ibiza classic, Marimba Do Mar.
The Frist Time, written in 1957 by Scottish writer Ewan McColl, is a love song penned to his then mistress and future wife, Peggy Seegar, the first woman to receive a Guggenheim Fellowship Award for her contribution to art and modern music. So it is fitting that the creme de la creme of the Balearic scene pay tribute to this track which became an international hit for Roberta Flack in 1972 when it was used to score the cult Clint Eastwood movie, Play Misty For Me, which told the story of a playboy DJ being stalked by an obsessive female fan, a scenario many Ibiza artists can relate to.
I love hearing the saxophone on any piece of Balearic music, it and the Spanish Guitar in my opinion are the base salt and pepper seasoning of any track that represents the genre. I would also include the steel drums in this mix as that is what identifies the genre, freedom of expression. The sax is accompanied by piano and percussion, but its Paco Fernandez’s sublime guitar playing that steals the show on this smooth production which is Archipelagos fourth studio release.
its Paco Fernandez’s sublime guitar playing that steals the show on this smooth production
The vocal cords were always going to be a challenge to try and match Flack’s distinctive voice, but Clarita De Quiroz does a good job keeping it downtempo with a relaxed beach vibe. The Original mix by Pippi and the Cantoma Dub are my favorite versions and this production is sure to be Michelin starred fare for any beachside restaurant or Chiringito on the island this season.
The vinyl version of The First Time can be previewed and downloaded here
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