Be.Lanuit – Entre Dos Islas EP
NuNorthern Soul • NUNS047D

Towering 400 metres above the sea just off the South West coast of Ibiza, Es Vedra rock has long been regarded as a mysterious and magical structure – one whose inherent magnetism is allegedly capable of moving objects and disrupting compasses.

It’s perhaps fitting that a spellbinding painting of the mystical natural structure – the latest in her contribution to NuNorthern Soul’s Myths of Ibiza series – stares out from the cover of Be.Lanuit’s Entres Dos Islas EP, because it’s a collection of cuts that effortlessly harnesses the magic and mystery of one of the Balearic Isles’ most wonderous natural treasures.

Be.Lanuit may or may not have been inspired by Es Vedra, but he’s spent enough time on the White Isle over the last three decades to be intimately equated with the towering landmark. Based on the island, he has DJ’d at many infamous Ibizan spots – La Torre and Casa Maca included – while his productions have appeared on Sol Selectas, Sonar Kollevtiv, Soundway Records and Music For Dreams. He has a track record of crafting evocative, atmospheric and aurally vivid tracks that tap into classic Balearic tropes while providing a fresh spin on the colourful, sun-soaked sound.

Entres Dos Islas, his NuNorthern Soul debut, presents four slabs of sonic magnetism tailor-made for slow, simmering sunsets and breath-taking sunrises. He sets the tone with title track ‘Entres Dos Islas (Atlanteo)’, where mesmerising, delay-laden flute solos from guest musician Tupac Perlata seemingly float on a gentle breeze above the producer’s hypnotic analogue bassline, slow-motion beats, tactile chords and undulating lead lines. It’s the aural equivalent of watching mist clear to reveal the peak of Es Vedra.

‘Crepusculo En Sa Talaia’, the track that follows, leaves a similar sonic impression, with Be.Lanuit layering slow harp strums, kaleidoscopic chords and twinkling, effects-laden piano motifs above a deep bassline and shuffling, slow motion beats. Listen attentively enough and you may hear waves lapping at the craggy cliffs of Ibiza’s most celebrated rock.

The EP shifts up a gear on ‘Nana A Leon’, where Spanish language spoken word vocals from guest Marcos De La Fuentes help usher in a bubbly Latin beat, sumptuous strings, starry synthesizer sounds, yearning pianos and a distinctive guitar motif. By the time a sampled classical vocal appears in the mix – think Orbital’s ‘Belfast’ or the Beloved’s ‘The Sun Rising’ – you’ll be transported to a magical place. If you were looking for a neat aural definition of Balearic music, it would undoubtedly be this.

To close out a wonderful EP, Be.Lanuit strides confidently towards ‘Valle Del Sur’, a breath-taking piece of sonic sorcery that – in the producer’s trademark style – builds majestically towards an awe-inspiring conclusion. Following another twinkling, star-gazing introduction, our hero teases in synthesized double bass, a samba-soaked rhythm and more echoing piano motifs. Throw in more vivid, vibrant chords and uplifting lead lines, and you have another terrifically picturesque soundscape on an EP full to bursting with sharply defined, life-enriching moments.