Various Artists - Balearic Beats, Vol. 1

All Music Guide

Balearic was born in the dance clubs of Ibeza, the Spanish city frequented by young British tourists ready to drink and dance. A cooler counterpart to acid house, the short-lived "brand" of dance received this compilation of tracks popular in certain Ibezan and London clubs for a summer or two in the late '80s. It would be hard to say what these ten tracks have in common, not being there to witness the mix in person. Side one is the most coherent, with a solid, house-y rhythm with sunny synths, an air of hedonism, scattershot media soundbites, faux-Arabian melodies, and pulsing horns. Even Stock, Aikman, and Waterman's moppet act Mandy Smith comes across well, with a slinky remix of "Mandy's Theme (Just Can't Wait)." Side two falls apart, however, with a live version of "Why Why Why" by the Woodentops (appropriate title, though), the more inappropriate and industrial Nitzer Ebb, and the indie-group-slumming-at-disco, Thrashing Doves. Only a wild remix of the Residents ("Kaw-Liga") keeps the groove moving.

- Ted Mills, All Music Guide