Review: Visions of Light - Blue Monday (Lunes Azul) (NuNorthern Soul)

For all of New Order's achievements, bearing in mind that lead singer / guitarist Bernard Sumner has just turned 70, (born January 4th, 1956, Crumpsall, North Manchester), their legacy for most folks will be their 'throw away' 80s dance track, 'Blue Monday' so is their a place for this new version?

 

You bet there is as NuNorthern Soul's boss Phil Cooper starts the new year with this enlightened cover version by Visions Of Light, they, you'll recall being the trio of Simon Sheldon, Muzka and Dan Dub Lounge that brought us the album 'The Mandala Vortex' last year to soundtrack the summer (see review HERE).

'Blue Monday (Lunes Azul)' is a mesmeric instrumental stroll in the sand that's going to turn heads at any time of the year; even if you're over/under 70 years old.

As its such a classic track, I can remember first hearing at a beach party in Brighton and it just stopped the beach, and this Azul version will do the same; lets start the year as we mean to go on!

BUY LINK: Blue Monday (Lunes Azul) | Visions-of-Light

 

 

Artist: Visions of Light

Title: TBlue Monday (Lunes Azul) 

Release date: 19th January, 2026
Label : NuNorthernSoul
Catalog Number : TBC
Format:  Digital / Bandcamp 

Review: Visions of Light - The Mandala Vortex (NuNorthern Soul)

If you think Visions Of Light sounds like the sort of thing NuNorthern Soul label boss Phil Cooper would be getting very excited about, you'd be right and here's the album 'The Mandala Vortex' to get you ready for a Balaphonic summer!

Just to be clear, 'The Mandala Vortex' is nothing like Balaphonic's 'Resolution Revolutions' (see review HERE and the interview with Danny 'Balaphonic' Ward HERE), but much like the other recent release on the NuNorthern Soul label, Maarten Goetheer (featuring Pong Nakornchai), the "tribute", 'Suite For Chick' (see review HERE) there's more than a synergy between them all.

No more so than the track 'Breathe' (featuring Alma Chomel on vocals) which brings Acid to QiGong/Yoga exercises in 'Left Bank' francaise bien sûr and the dubby trip hop ambient space jam 'The Last Domino' - expect the likes of Mixmaster Morris and The Rhythm Doctor playing these out a the obligatory festivals from Glastonbury to WeOutHere.

If you're already a Freebooter's Simon Sheldon along with Nik Muzka and Dan Dub Lounge (aka Daniel Sanders) you'll know that there's going to be lots of dubby "21st century Balearica" particulary on 'Clearwater' and 'Daytime'. 

For the serious Flute Gang collective, wait for the 'Destination' to arrive on ya beautiful dreamy jazz ears (flute by Alex Saxon) whilst the liquid 'Echoes Of Time' (featuring the sax of Gionni Cigwood) cascades to the Balearic beach dub before 'Sands' meets at the after club acid souk.

And in case you were wondering where the reggae-dub vs. Japanese formal garden themed track was, don't worry as it's here in the form of 'Bring It Back' and a synthy 'Trip' that's yet another stand out track on an album of stand-outs that'll mesmerize you in a good "too slow to trip-hop" way that you'll won't want to turn it off.

A classic collection of ten tracks that'll keep you 'turned on', 'tuned in' and 'Breathe'!

BUY LINK: https://visions-of-light.bandcamp.com/album/the-mandala-vortex

 

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Artist: Visions of Light

Title: The Mandala Vortex   

Release date: 11th July, 2025
Label : NuNorthernSoul
Catalog Number : NUNS069D
Format:  Vinyl LP / Digital / Bandcamp