London To Ibiza (Roadtrip 2001/Mixed By Nils Hees)

It's difficult for a techno fan not to disregard any release with Ibiza in the title (hours of scanning the racks, most likely) but the Nils Hess mix London to Ibiza: Roadtrip 2001 is as solid a chill-out mix for beleaguered trainspotters as they're likely to find. Instead of the premium paid by most Ibiza compilations to smoothed-out singer/songwriter electronica and '80s synth jazz, Hess picks some genuinely atmospheric productions from European techno and nu breaks. There are only a few familiar names (Terry Francis, Hardfloor, Funky Derrick, Get Fucked), and most of the highlights come from fresh producers: Eastern Strategy (the spacious, elegant "Breathing Harmony") and G-Pal (the relatively hard-hitting "That Music"). It must be the first time Hardfloor's ever been commissioned for an Ibiza compilation, though the track ("Communication 2 None") is actually a somewhat softer mix by Get Fucked (aka Hess' production concern with Nathan Coles). Probably a bit too hard for most Ibiza layabouts, but a great mix nonetheless. ~ John Bush|