Essential Downtempo Records

I have been listening to several of Cafe Del Mar’s compilations so I decided to make a special post for lovers of the sensual sound of downtempo, balearic house and beyond! Enjoy <3

• VA – Café Del Mar – Ibiza – Volumen Dos [React] (1995)

Chillout series inspired by the cassettes sold in the early 1990s at the original Café Del Mar bar in Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza. José Padilla compiled the first six volumes.

Volumes 1 to 3 were released on React (see also their Real Ibiza series).

Volumes 4 to 8 were released on Manifesto.

Volume 9 onwards have been released on Café del Mar Music.

29 Café Del Mar volumes have been released as of 2024.

https://www.discogs.com/master/8721-Various-Caf%C3%A9-Del-Mar-Ibiza-Volumen-Dos

• VA – Café Del Mar – Volumen Cinco [Manifesto] (1998)

Initially launched as a club subsidiary of Mercury Records, Manifesto is a UK based house and trance label headed up by Eddie Gordon, Luke Neville, Ben Cherrill and Judge Jules.

https://www.discogs.com/release/129493-Various-Caf%C3%A9-Del-Mar-Volumen-Cinco

• Deep Forest – Sweet Lullaby [Dance Pool] (1992)

French group originally consisting of Eric Mouquet and Michel Sanchez. They helped popularize the so-called “Global Pop”, ambient music combined with ethnic sounds. Their song “Sweet Lullaby” became a major hit and in the US over 2 million Deep Forest albums were sold. In 2005 Michel Sanchez left the band to start his solo career.

https://www.discogs.com/release/71690-Deep-Forest-Sweet-Lullaby

• Sisterlove – The Hypnotist [On] (1992)

Cafe Del Mar chill out classic classic from 1992

https://www.discogs.com/master/163119-Sisterlove-The-Hypnotist

• Blue Tribe – Discover [Virgin Club] (1996)

Beautiful downtempo record, I discovered it in a Jeremy Castillo’s mix.

https://www.discogs.com/master/207647-Blue-Tribe-Discover

• Solid Gold Easy Amex – Featuring Red Box – Enjoy [Eastwest] (1990)

Paul really did some amazing downtempo remixes in the 90’s. Have you heard the remix he did for Massive Attack of the song Unfinished Symphony, a gem too <3

https://www.discogs.com/master/193317-Solid-Gold-Easy-Amex-Featuring-Red-Box-Enjoy

• Hi-Bias – Hi-Bias [Big Shots Records] (1990)

The name Hi-Bias was used and referenced by Hi-Bias Records Inc., label launched in 1990, by Nick Fiorucci and Michael Ova.

Maybe it sounds more “freestyle” than downtempo but it doesn’t matter, when I discovered this record thanks to a mix of the Customs, I got very excited in the office, I wanted to dance there 😀

https://www.discogs.com/master/1465299-Hi-Bias-Hi-Bias

• VA – Café Del Mar – Ibiza – Volumen Tres (1996)

Spanish DJ born in Barcelona on 4 December 1955. Resident at Ibiza’s ‘Café del Mar’ from 1991 and producer of ambient music. Sadly, passed away on October 18, 2020 on Ibiza, after losing his battle with cancer, see you in the other side <3

https://www.discogs.com/master/72413-Various-Caf%C3%A9-Del-Mar-Ibiza-Volumen-Tres

• William Orbit – Strange Cargo III [Virgin] (1993)

English dance music producer, born in Shoreditch, Hackney, on 15 December 1956. One of the founders of Guerilla Records.

https://www.discogs.com/master/91589-William-Orbit-Strange-Cargo-III

• A.G.A. – Good Emotions [Blaxx Maxx] (1991)

Basically, no information about this beautiful 90’s downtempo record, do you know anything about it?

https://www.discogs.com/master/195085-AGA-Good-Emotions

• Marks & Henrys – Jill (The Making Of…) [Native Dance Records] (1994)

This song was featured on the compilation Ibiza Afterhours 1 in 1994 on a local record label Moonshine Records in 1994. Shortly after it saw a wider audience on one of the first Cafe Del Mar compilations distributed in Europe and most of the world.. This is an example of why electronic music is fantastic to me and a mystery I’m always willing to help solve or tell.

Words by Tim the legend on Discogs.

https://www.discogs.com/release/945154-Marks-Henrys-Jill-The-Making-Of

• The Mob – Theme From Twin Peaks [Flim Flam Records] (1991)

Beautiful record with samples from the legendary Twin Peaks series created by David Lynch that sadly passed away a few months ago.

https://www.discogs.com/master/165986-The-Mob-Theme-From-Twin-Peaks