Joan Bibiloni Band Valerie

Island Issues is a new umbrella label from Patrick Luca that becomes a parent to Saft, Pulp and Born. It debuts with an EP featuring fresh new versions of Joan Bibiloni Band's classic 'Valerie' by Kiko Navarro & Willie Graff.

Spanish guitarist Joan Bibioni was something of a child musical prodigy who started creating from a young age. He put out a wealth of albums under his own name and just one as Joan Bibiloni Band, 1986's 'Papi, Are You O.K.?'. It is from that record from which 'Valerie' is taken and it is something of a cult underground gem that adds warm and sunny jazz, funk and disco to any party. This package brings together veteran musical maestro Kiko Navarro, who has played all over the world, hosted influential radio shows and released a wide array of music over the last 20+ years, with Ibiza's Willie Graff, a resident at Pacha and respected producer for labels like Music for Dreams and Freerange.

First up is their brilliant Boogie Explosion Mix which is full of energy and hip-swinging grooves. Layers of tropical percussion are lively and organic, with withering synths, big horns and iconic vocals exploding up top. Key solos, tight guitar riffs and big claps all add further fire and colour to this summer heater. The JB Edit is by the man himself and finds Joan going heavy on funky bass guitar twangs and vividly expressive trumpets as the soaring vocals and big drum breaks work the floor into a lather in a more raw and direct fashion.

Next comes the Entre Islas Club Mix which is smooth and deep for those moments when the sun is setting and the daytime atmosphere gets more late night and sultry. The percussion is slick and the chords are muted but joyful as the analog drums bring nostalgic 80s feelings. Last of all is an Entre Islas Dub which strips things back to the seductive house groove and teases with the jazzy keys, shakers and proto-garage house drums all oozing effortless cool.

This is a fantastic first release from Island Issues that is sure to bring sun-kissed good times to global dance floors this summer and beyond.