Album Review: All Gone Pete Tong & Booka Shade Ibiza 2012 – Released 6/11/12
‘All Gone Ibiza 2012’ sets the stage for what this summer season in Ibiza is going to bring, which is nothing but incredible, feel-good vibes. Pete Tong joins forces with Berlin’s powerhouse producer Booka Shade who is one of underground electronic music’s most influential artists. Pete Tong and Booka Shade collaborate to create a mix of evocative house and techno that embody the experience of summer on the beautiful white isle of Ibiza. ‘All Gone Pete Tong & Booka Shade Ibiza 2012’ was created so that Pete Tong and Booka Shade could share what Ibiza means to them after 25 years of ruling the EDM industry.
Perhaps the name Pete Tong name rings a bell because of the popular film “It’s All Gone Pete Tong” which was based on an unmentioned artists true and inspiring life events, or perhaps it’s because Pete Tong has played a fundamental role in the evolution and growth of electronic music and acid house. Tong is also a long term Ibiza resident DJ and contributor to the exclusive reputation that this island is known for. Pete Tong’s announcement about returning to Pacha Ibiza last summer with ‘Pure Pacha presents All Gone Pete Tong’ quickly became the biggest story of Ibiza 2011. And so, he returns in 2012 ready to cause some ruckus with ‘All Gone Ibiza 2012’. Booka Shade is one of the few original electronic duos’ whose music channels the spirit and soul of underground techno. The compilation is an incredibly structured album that sets the mood for this summer season in Ibiza. It touches the depths of both Pete Tong and Booka Shade’s very different, yet very corresponding mix styles. Each of the 36 tracks selected for this album force good vibrations through your body, whether it be chill, deep house, or funky techno.
‘All Gone Ibiza 2012’ opens up with one of my top picks, “Something Special” by Miguel Campbell. This track captures your senses with an upbeat disco influenced drum and then 5 seconds in and you’re hit with Miguel’s seductively powerful voice camouflaged over a clubhouse beat. This album in its entirety flows so effortlessly from soft-tempo tracks such as ‘Something Special’ and Nneka’s “Shining Star (Joe Goddard Remix)’ whose melodies are similar in style, but ‘Shining Star’ has a more mellow bass-drum and softer vocal, nonetheless incorporating distinctive styles that transition flawlessly. After listening to those great deep house tracks on repeat, I caught “Lonely Days (Hunter Game Remix)” and Flash Mob’s “Need in Me” which are so satisfying to listen to because they elevate your mind with refreshing 120 bpm tempos like proper deep house should. Following Flash Mob I analyzed “Shake in Me” which is one of my favorites from the album along with Ornette’s “Crazy (Noze Remix)” which is an incredibly sexy deep house track that I’m officially obsessed with. It has a chic, groovy melody with a light hint of bass. Another refreshing treat was “Everything” featuring the vocals of Maggie – this track reminded me of the infamous 1990’s hit “Gypsy Woman” because of the airy clubhouse beat built to showcase the tracks’ electrifying female vocals. “It’s Not Right, But it’s Ok (Extended Mix)” can speak for itself because if anyone is fit to remix this classic it’s Pete Tong and his extended mix is fiery and fresh. Having Nic Fanciulli and Kabale und Liebe on this album with “Circus Act” and “HipHouse” is sublime for completing that feel-good, Ibiza summer vibe. Iconic producer Jay Lumen lands two spots on this album with “Babel” and “Water Drops” adding some Latin house flavor (Smash TV’s – Matthew Pervert is also a recommended listen for Latin house lovers).
I was extremely pleased with the assortment of bass lines and multilevel tempos found on ‘All Gone Ibiza 2012’ and it’s truly impressive how Pete Tong and Booka Shade take listeners through a completely satisfying Ibiza summer experience in listening to this album. Pete and Booka Shade selected tracks that define house and techno on different levels including a handful of deep, invigorating, chill house picks perfectly set for watching the Ibiza sunrise. When I listened to “Korrado” produced by Matador, Point Blank’s - “Meng’s Theme”, Sergio Fernandez – “Roads”, and Booka Shade’s “Tomorrow Belongs to Us” I immediately thought (and wished for) Ibiza’s white sand beaches. Booka Shade positively displays how diverse his music could be shifting from deep house to his track “Honeyslave” which is uptempo tech-house. I have always been a Pete Tong fan because he keeps his sounds assorted and fresh yet always gives listeners a taste of that funky old-school house, having been around for over 25 years. His original track “Dawn” featuring the vocals of S.Y.F. is the epitome of groovy deep-house and it’s sure to be a hit in Ibiza this summer.
An old friend introduced me to the sounds of Roman Flugel when I was 16 and I was immediately hooked. He mixes everything from ambient/idm to electro and house creating such an eccentric sound style which is heard on ‘All Gone Ibiza 2012’ with his track “Brasil” (MUST LISTEN!). Coyu hit us with the funky progressive house tune “Embrace” featuring the vocals of Austin Howard which is a great club hit. This album really reaches so many different styles of house and techno being so fitting for the cultivated, educated dance music listener. From down tempo to Latin house, to tracks like The Golden Filter – “Kill Me (John Talbot Killed in Room 616 Refix)” that are so different from anything you’ve ever heard. I would love to go but I can’t spoil all the fun. I recommend taking a listen to this album for some fine quality summer tech/house tunes. Overall, I was completely satisfied in listening to ‘All Gone Pete Tong and Booka Shade Ibiza 2012’ so I immediately bought it on Beatport. It’s hard to find an album that could be enjoyed in its entirety, but ‘All Gone Ibiza 2012’ definitely gets a gold star.
Article by: Ilenia Cangelosi
About the Author
Ilenia Cangelosi Ilenia Cangelosi is a native New Yorker with a passionate "MBA" in Electronic Dance Music. A long time connoisseur of dance music having been exposed to New York City nightlife at a young age, Ilenia loves everything EDM from Trance, Minimal, Techno, House, Drum&Bass and all things world festivals. Follow Ilenia (@miSziLenia) on Twitter & Instagram to stay up to date on the latest & greatest in all things EDM!
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