Review: Various - Paraíso. The True Spirit Of Ibiza (selected by DJ Alfredo) (Rebirth)

Alfredo Fiorito was an Argentinian DJ who has been credited as the "Father of the Balearic beat" after moving to Ibiza in the 70s and being 'discovered' by London centric 'big heads', Paul Oakenfold, Danny Rampling, Johnny Walker and Nicky Holloway as early Chicago house gets mixed with jazz-funk grooves and "Bob's your Uncle", we've had years of Balearic dancefloor cool.

After DJ Alfredo's sad passing last Christmas, it's taken a while to get an album that he was working on together that truely celebrates his legacy and the Island with a combination of tracks to give us that mix of ambient synth Italo lounge groove that'll fit in to any elongated Pikes session that other wise can link the likes of Nitzer Ebb, Fania Records' legend Willie Colón to one hit wonders like Funkapolitan and Mary Smith (yes, that one - if you don't know, don't bother to look her up). 

And that's often the beauty of the of the original scene of the foresight of what is 'Balearic' as it could stretch to Chris Rea whilst today, we've got dedicated label's with long histories like the pre-eminent NuNorthern Soul and they're that's releases like JILO's 'Mirage's Colours' (see review HERE) which also follows the equally essential Tambores En Benirras' 'Ondas Horizontales' remixed (see review HERE) and Roots Artefact's 'Different Perspecitive' (see review HERE).

Don't the road at Ibiza's 'Café del Mar', José Padilla (another originator who passed away in 2020) is represented by a A Man Called Adam mix of the track 'Still Waters'.  And you couldn't have a compilation with the presence of Andrew Weatherall (RIP), a remixes of the jazzy 'Fall' by Deep Joy and The Woodleigh Research Facility plus as The Sabres of Paradise.

DJ Alfredo, being a man for all seasons is represented by a couple of his own tracks, a collaboration with Cathy Battislessa and Arain 911 on the previously unreleased and poignant,  'Moral Of The Story'.

Equally such a compilation could not include 808 State's 'Pacific State' which itself has been included on 100s of comps but with my Charity Shop Classic hat on, what I do love about this is that you can also Mr Fingers and Penguin Cafe Orchestra alongside an unrelease Thrashing Doves track; 'Old Grey Whistle Test' anyone?

It's been said that this release "beautifully reflects Alfredo's musical life... well composed and a great selection!"; it's what he'd have loved too!

BUY LINK: Paraíso. The True Spirit Of Ibiza (selected by DJ Alfredo) | Various Artists | Rebirth Records

Cover image by Yves Uro. Artwork by sanchelife.com

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Paraíso. The True Spirit Of Ibiza (selected by DJ Alfredo) 

Release date: 26th September, 2025
Label : Rebirth
Catalog Number : REB131,REB057CD
Format:   2 x LP Vinyl / CD / Digital / Bandcamp