Having stopped to smell the roses for a few cycles, Roger Shah’s hallmark music compilation series returns to streams, stores and shelves in 2026. Onboard, naturally, is its usual, impeccable prog/trance/house blend of melodic-tropics, harmonic sonics, castaway chords, beachfront character and seaside atmosphere. Ready to do it to the summer, before the summer does it to us, here comes ‘Magic Island – Music For Balearic People 13’ !!
As is his way, Roger Shah’s again pursued a one-hundred-percent exclusive material mandate for his latest ‘M.I.’ excursion. To that end, he’s reunited his singing, songwriting and composing family of ‘Balearic People’ for lucky no.13. Those returning from the last edition alone include Pierre Pienaar, Rafael Osmo, Yelow, Ditoma, Clarks, Aytaro, Spy and, naturally enough, Roger’s Sunlounger alias - all contributing to its compound hybrid makeup.
Adding to that family are actual blood-tied Shahs. Three years further on, Roger’s son Noah Shah has taken on an expanded role in this generational affair, contributing not only a clutch of his own tracks, but also stepping into a curatorial A and R role.
Roger goes on to explain. “While I was spending a lot of time working on the uplifting trance material for mix 2, Noah did a fantastic job on the A and R side, uncovering some amazing tracks and exciting new talent for the opening half. The mix also shines a spotlight on many releases from our Magic Island Deep label, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to bring all these elements together and craft another summer-inspired compilation.”
‘13’ opens in ‘Magic Island’s time-honoured daybreak light—fresh and expansive and melodic, though thoroughly unhurried in its telling. Early cuts such as 'Vanuatu' from Dutch producer Clarks, Rafael Osmo’s spellbinding 'Over Time You Have Become', and 'Your Heart Knows' from Amir Telem establish a heat-hazed outline to its lower-tempo progressivism. That vibe of earlier-morning introspection is further shaped by SidekoDJ’s 'I'm Lost in Love' and 'Lose Your Mind' from Ben Beckman. Those in turn open the door for Noah’s more pronounced stance on 'Your Call' and 'Feel Alright' (alongside NØSH), both of which transmit a clearer, clubbier, more front-footed direction for the mix.
Led by a quad threat of Sunlounger, MOKX, SaedYm and 88Birds, with 'Less Hate More Love', the compilation enters more heart-on-sleeve territory, before progressing further into the shadowlands of Ditoma’s 'Darkest Desires' and 'Destino' from Icotenai Project. As its journey develops, it opens up to later-stage highlights such as Katoff’s 'Burning Shadows', 'Beyond Your Smile' from Andy Woldman, Roger-M’s emphatic 'Meant To Be', and TRIP RGAZZI’s 'Leave It All Behind'.
If its first half charts dawn-through-daytime, Disc 2 burns with the full blaze of a Magic Island night. Higher in intensity, broader in stylistic scope, and with its gaze firmly locked on the heavens, it opens with Roger Shah, Kristina Sky and Evan Henzi’s 'Memories Of Space'. That immediately brings a commanding vocal presence to the mix, which is added to by the crystalline drive of Spy’s 'Eikon'. The pulse climbs further through Ambedoverse’s 'Chasing Grays' (in Roger Shah Uplifting Mix form), while Roger duels (and duals!) with Edwin ‘Yelow’ Tsui on the back-to-back 'A Better Place' and 'Serendipity'.
At Mix 2’s midpoint, Roger broadens the palette further with selections including Yodis’s 'Le Vanda' and Eric de la Vega and Alaera’s 'Cuando El Amor Acaba'. Together they provide the perfect launch point for 'Enchanted Dreams', which sees Roger joining forces with FSOE luminaries Omar Sherif and Philippe El Sisi. Mix 2 closes in the same formation as it began, as 'Hear Me Calling' sees Roger reunite with Kristina Sky and Evan Henzi for the album’s event-horizon finale.
"Summer ain’t been quite the same without a trip to the ‘Magic Island’! Boarding recommences NOW’.
Roger Shah - Magic Island - Music For Balearic People Vol. 13 Tracklist
Disc 1
01.Clarks - Vanuatu02.Rafael Osmo - Over Time You Have Become03.Amir Telem - Your Heart Knows04.SidekoDJ - I'm Lost in Love05.Ben Beckman - Lose Your Mind06.Noah Shah - By My Side07.kkeltii - Eternity08.Andy Woldman - Save Me09.MainDain and Mark Lennon - High10.Sunlounger, MOKX, SaedYm & 88Birds - Less Hate More Love11.Ditoma - Darkest Desires12.Icotenai Project - Destino13.Nord Horizon pres. Zion87 - Horizon Bound14.Noah Shah pres. NØSH - Feel Alright15.Noah Shah - Your Call (Ditoma Remix)16.AÏA - In A Rush17.Katoff - Burning Shadows18.Andy Woldman - Beyond Your Smile19.Roger-M - Meant To Be20.Mario OP - Sky Fall21.TRIP RGAZZI - Leave It All Behind
Disc 2
01.Roger Shah, Kristina Sky & Evan Henzi - Memories Of Space02.Spy - Eikon03.Ambedoverse - Chasing Grays (Roger Shah Uplifting Mix)04.Roger Shah & Yelow - A Better Place05.Roger Shah & Yelow - Serendipity06.Yodis - Le Vanda07.Eric de la Vega & Alaera - Cuando El Amor Acaba08.Roger Shah, Omar Sherif & Philippe El Sisi - Enchanted Dreams09.Yelow & Aytaro - Stargazing10.Roger Shah & Dark Fusion - Ethereal Mystery11.Gabrielle AG, Eric de la Vega & Alaera - Obstacles12.Roger Shah & Aytaro - Majestic Invitation13.Gabrielle AG & Eric de la Vega - Hypnos14.Nicki D - Soulmate15.Pierre Pienaar - Polaris16.Roger Shah & Inoblivion - Midnight Chase17.Bigtopo - The Way We Shine18.Roger Shah, Kristina Sky & Evan Henzi - Hear Me Calling
Pre-order, release date May 9th 2025.Sunlounger Returns with New Double Album Distant Memories
Sunlounger, the iconic project of internationally renowned DJ and producer Roger Shah, unveils his latest masterpiece: Distant Memories – a compelling double album that seamlessly blends soothing atmospheres with infectious club energy.
The album is split into two distinct yet connected experiences:
CD 1 – Meditation Versions: A tranquil soundscape of ambient and Balearic-inspired compositions, perfect for moments of introspection, relaxation, or mindful escape. These meditative versions showcase Sunlounger's signature guitar work and cinematic textures, inviting listeners to slow down and breathe.
CD 2 – Club Mixes: The flip side brings the energy to the dancefloor with groovy, melodic, and emotionally charged club edits. Crafted for DJs and electronic music lovers, these mixes reimagine the ambient originals with percussive beats and melodic drops, staying true to the essence of his balearic sound, organic and progressive house.
With Distant Memories, Sunlounger continues to redefine the boundaries between chillout and dance music, offering fans a full-spectrum audio journey.
About Sunlounger
Sunlounger is the beloved alias of Roger Shah, a German electronic music producer known for his unique fusion of Balearic, trance, and chillout sounds. With a career spanning over two decades, Shah has released music on labels like Armada and Black Hole Recordings, collaborating with industry giants including Armin van Buuren, Aly & Fila, and JES.
Sunlounger’s debut album Another Day on The Terrace became an instant classic, and his follow-ups — Sunny Tales, The Beach Side of Life, and Balearic Beauty — further cemented his place as a pioneer of melodic electronic music. Combining sun-drenched guitars, lush pads, and uplifting melodies, Sunlounger continues to be a defining force in the global chill and trance scenes.
A change is as good as a rest’ as they say, and that’s exactly what Roger Shah’s done with the twelfth incarnation of his as-magical-as-ever mixcomp series. For the last decade-plus, his ‘Magic Islands’ have been summer vanguards, heralding those temperate temperatures. This year however, Shah’s timed his ‘Music For Balearic People’ to coincide, not with the opening parties … but the closing ones.
On Oct 20, ‘Magic Island – Music For Balearic People Vol. 12’ brilliantly caps off one season, while raising the curtain on another …
In his pursuit of 100% exclusive material for ‘MI:12’, Roger’s re-banded with his Balearically-oriented troupe of singers, songwriters and musicians. Amongst them you’ll find Pierre Pienaar, Zara Taylor, Corrie Theron, Sergey Shabnov, Clarks, Rafael Osmo, Bob Memphis and Roger’s son Noah Shah again contributing. Together, they’ve built a near 40-track-strong, 240minute-long run of atmospherically captivating music. Naturally, both mix-wise and musically, Roger’s outdone himself again, with productions under his own name and some of his best known aliases.
‘Magic Island 12’s moodier aesthetic might just be your first clue as to its seasonal script-flip. As many know the Balearics are no longer the four-months-of-the-year operation from a generation ago. Retreats, wellness camps, supper-clubs and wine festivals are backdropped by the islands’ orange and lemon trees. With its more laidback pulse, Disc 1 effortlessly taps into alt-season-Balearica with new material from ‘M.I.’ regulars like David Broaders, Clarks and Ditoma. After mix 1’s meridian, its flow starts to feature more of Roger’s own material, as ‘Into The Light’, ‘Mahalo’ and Kalahari’ herald the respective returns of his Sunlounger, Global Experience and High Noon At Salinas.
In a message to Magic Islanders, Roger said: “I want to welcome everyone to Volume 12. It’s been a great year so far, and while I have been busy with my Tribute To Earth project, our Magic Island artists have been super productive. So here we have another mix-album showcasing all the amazing talent we have on the label. Mix 1 is super cool and deep, a wide range from Balearic, progressive and melodic techno while mix 2 is so emotional and beautiful - yet banging uplifting in its own way. I had so much fun working on these and hope you enjoy it as much as I do!”
Naturally enough though, Roger uses disc 2 to embody that final exuberant closing party high. After the first mix’s cooler collabs with Dominik Novak and Omar Vinyl, he ups the tonal wattage, working with Ambedo on ‘Sun And Moon’ & ‘Birds Of Prey’, while partnering Yelow on ‘Campos Eliseos’. At the midpoint George Jema talks Eternity’, while regular Shah muse Zara Taylor teams with Andy Cain on ‘Carry On’. Cain goes on to power the mix towards its event horizon … with ‘Event Horizon’, while Cloudriver, Pierre Pienaar and Ronski Speed apex it with their latest, ‘Stoneflower’, ‘Kiri’ and ‘Never Fall In Love Again’.
‘Magic Island – Music For Balearic People Vol. 12’ is your perfect sonic slide into autumn! Find it where all good music is sold or streamed HERE!
Roger Shah - Magic Island - Music For Balearic People Vol. 12 Tracklist:
Disc 1.
01. David Broaders – Lightwave
02. Ditoma - Let’s Go
03. Sunlounger - Into The Light
04. Roger Shah & Dominik Novak pres. klangbild.art - Techno Cat
05. Global Experience - Mahalo
06. Dominik Novak pres. klangbild.art - Amari
07. High Noon At Salinas - Kalahari
08. Roger Shah & Omar Vinyl - Freedom (Archers Remix)
09. Davee (ES) & Sun3 - Kill For You
10. Cory Goldsmith & Adam Stark - Portus
11. Clarks - Rivièra
12. Rafael Osmo x Miki Haim pres. MRI (Ofc) - Technologies
13. Global Experience - In A Nutshell
14. Sunflare - Praia Formosa
15. Noah Shah - Pandora
16. Horizon One - Fall
17. DJ T.H. & Cyre - Cala Tarida
18. Bob Memphis – Benidorm
19. Noah Shah & Ditoma – Inferno
20. Binary Ensemble & Soul Lifters - Tones Of Time
Disc 2.
01. Roger Shah & Ambedo - Sun And Moon (Instrumental Mix)
02. Roger Shah & Yelow - Campos Eliseos
03. Aytaro - Into The Sun
04. Corrie Theron - Surreal
05. Roger Shah & Ambedo - Birds Of Prey (Instrumental Mix)
06. Yelow & Binary Ensemble - Jomtien Beach
07. Aytaro - Glacier Flight
08. Andy Elliass & ARCZI - Life Is An Odyssey
09. George Jema - Eternity
10. Andy Cain & Zara Taylor - Carry On
11. Sergey Shabanov - Loafer
12. Thomas Knight - Count On Me
13. Andy Cain & Gregory James - Event Horizon
14. Fredd Moz & Divaiz - Ocean
15. Spy & Amin Salmee - Midnight Sun
16. Cloudriver - Stoneflower
17. Pierre Pienaar pres. Melodia - Kiri
18. Ronski Speed & DJ T.H. pres. Sun Decade with Lyd14 - Never Fall In Love Again
Dimitri Kechagias review:
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Beat and Rhythm[/item]
[item value="10"]Basslines and Groove[/item]
[item value="10"] Melody [/item]
[item value="10"] Synths [/item]
[item value="10"]Breakdown[/item]
[item value="10"]Climax / Drop / Crescendo / Pay off moment[/item]
[item value="10"]Intensity, Drive and Energy[/item]
[item value="10"]Sound-design and Arrangement[/item]
[item value="10"]Overall Atmosphere[/item]
[item value="10"]Goosebumps / Shivers moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Emotional affinity and heartfelt moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Originality and Inventiveness[/item]
[item value="10"]Dancefloor Efficiency / Festival Arenas Effectiveness[/item]
[item value="10"]Radio Friendly[/item]
[item value="10"]You can’t get this memorable track out of your head[/item]
[item value="10"]It has potential to become an anthem or a classic[/item]
[item value="10"] Bob Memphis - Stars Above + Distant Shores[/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"] Bob Memphis comes on Magic Island Deep with two very beautiful tracks that is difficult not to fall in love with them. Stars Above and Distant Shores are the epitome of what we all call call Balearic sound. Tribal grooves and warm percussion along with deep basslines, emotional synthy hooks, haunting atmosphere and emotionally touching smooth balearic guitar riffs that will bring summer in your mind straight away. Both tracks will warm your senses and make you feel like floating in the air. You can play them in warm up sets for trance and house so definitely both are extremely versatile. #PureGold Love IT [/content]
Musically encapsulating the summertime is something that’s held musicians’ rapt for decades. To some an art form, to others something approaching a science even, but to Roger Shah, it’s more like a calling. In his career that purpose has manifested in many forms. None have been more steadfast and successful than his ‘Magic Island: Music For Balearic People’ compilation series though.
With the same certainty that May turns to June, Roger’s yearly Balearic dispatch tells us that summer’s well and truly arrived. The eighth in the halcyon series sees him team up with Magic Island music makers, both new and established. Its tracklist sees familiar names abound, with fresh compositions from the likes of Brian Laruso, Raul Pablo Sanchez, Dirkie Coetzee, Pierre Pienaar and David Broaders all featuring. Equally quick to MI8’s discs are newer bloods, including music from trance souls like Bilal El Aly, Mark Norman and Rene Ablaze.
Both under his own name and that of his best-known/most-loved pseudonyms, no trip to the ‘Island’ would be complete without a wealth or Roger’s own latest studio creations. Across its two discs/mixes, the album heralds a pair of new High Noon At Salinas’ productions, as well his latest Sunlounger excursion. You’ll also find many a built-for-the-album MI:8 remix (including his heroic rework of JES’ ‘Photograph’) along with Roger’s latest with LeiLani (‘Eternal Time’) and his inspirational update of the classic ‘Castles In The Sky’.
Roger sees ‘Balearic’ not as a latitude/longitude point, but as a state of mind. Putting that into the clearest perspective, the first disc of Vol. 8 sees Roger address Music For Balearic People’s daytime attributes. Reclined tempos, swaying rhythms and cooler grooves abound as Brian Laruso debuts two new productions (‘Okushiri’ and ‘Killa’). They’re bookended by ‘Turnschuhe’ by Raul Pablo Sanchez and ‘Stars Above’ from Bob Memphis. With ‘Aqua’ and ‘12PM’, the mix’s midpoint serves two outstanding new High Noon At Salinas creations. Marking a subtle but perceptible shift in tone, Sunlounger, ‘Dancing With A Ghost’ enraptures, before a brace from Clarks (‘Sanya’ and ‘White Shores’) and Torio & Darkmada’s ‘Ascending’ sign Mix 1 off on a high.
On his process for the eighth ‘Magic Island’ compilation series, Roger says: “I‘ve again spent 4 months working on this new edition, going through more than 600 tracks to pick out those special ones, as well including a couple of my own new tracks. All the tracks/mixes are again 100% exclusively handcrafted for this album.
This time my wide range of sound selection goes from chilled and deep Balearic house tracks, to underground tech and sexy tribal grooves, before shifting up to proggier vibes on Disc 01. Disc 02 kicks off very melodic and then turns into uplifting euphoria. I mixed and recorded this album during my tour in Australia. City credits go to Sydney and Melbourne”.
With the ascension of the second disc, ‘Music For Balearic People Vol.8’ moves seamlessly from a day to night-time footing. The Juliet Lyons-sung/Bilal El Aly produced ‘After You’, ‘Santa Monica Sunset’ from Denis Sender and Roger’s MI8 Mix of JES’ ‘Photograph’ all showcase Magic Island’s clubbier virtues. Elevating its altitude higher are the latest from Dirkie Coetzee & VioLika’s ‘Adagio In F Minor’, ‘Colour My Eyes’ courtesy of Mark Norman and David Broaders epic ‘Giant’s Causeway’. In its latter stages, Roger & Inger Hansen’s choir-led revision of ‘Castles In The Sky’ captivates the mix before ‘Fallen Angel’ from Rene Ablaze and Pierre Pienaar ‘Emirembe’ brings it to its rapture-filled zenith.
A summer-summarising album of the highest order, Order here
Tracklist: Mix 1.
01. Cullera featuring Ne/Re/A - Sonido Del Mar (MI8 Intro Mix)
02. Jackie Bristow - Without You (Roger Shah’s Campfire Mix)
03. Bob Memphis - Stars Above
04. Brian Laruso - Killa (MI8 Mix)
05. Brian Laruso - Okushiri (MI8 Mix)
06. Raul Pablo Sanchez - Turnschuhe (MI8 Mix)
07. Electric Dunes - Crossfire (MI8 Mix)
08. Bob Memphis - Distant Shores
09. NotAndrew & Alain Ducroix - Unstoppable (Extended Mix)
10. High Noon At Salinas - Aqua
11. High Noon At Salinas - 12PM
12. DIPNOI - Central
13. Sunlounger & Eden Iris - Dancing With A Ghost (MI8 Mix)
14. Clarks featuring SJS - White Shores
15. Martin Graff & Triple S - Vulgaris
16. Clarks - Sanya
17. Torio & Darkmada - Ascending
Mix 2.
01. Bilal El Aly featuring Juliet Lyons - After You (Melodic Intro Mix)
02. Denis Sender - Santa Monica Sunset
03. Arcania - Rhodes
04. JES - Photograph (Roger Shah MI8 Mix)
05. Dirkie Coetzee meets VioLika - Adagio In F Minor
06. Mark Norman pres Celine - Colour My Eyes (Roger Shah MI8 Mix)
07. Andrew Henry - Hermos
08. David Broaders - Giant’s Causeway
09. Sergey Shabanov - Follow The Orange Light
10. Phil Dinner - Playing With Your Heart
11. Andy Elliass & ARCZI - Neli
12. Bernis - Lucida
13. Sergey Shabanov - Wasted
14. Roger Shah & Inger Hansen - Castles In The Sky (Extended Uplifting Mix)
15. NavidN2M & Nathia Kate - No More War
16. Aaron Sim - Eternity
17. Rene Ablaze & Suzanna Dee - Fallen Angel (Magic Island Mix)
18. Roger Shah presents LeiLani - Eternal Time (Uplifting MI8 Mix)
19. Pierre Pienaar – Emirembe
Santa has heard your longing for some brand new Sunlounger chill-out, Trance fans! Considered the consummate master of Balearically-inclined music, this December sees the return of electronic music composer Roger Shah’s best-known sobriquet.
Three years on from the original release of ’Balearic Beauty’, Shah is ready with a new wave of captivating sun-tipped audio, all primed to take the world’s lounges, chillout areas and more cultured dancefloors subtly by storm. Featuring all originals, remixes, and brand new tracks the final chapter of the most successful Sunlounger album hits the stores on December 16th!
Through 53 carefully selected originals and remixes, Shah has once again involved the vocal talents of many, including the likes of Inger Hansen, Yoav, EDM singer/songwriter/hit-maker JES, Sason Bishope Parry, Chase, Alexandra Badoi, Kingseyes and Suzie Del Vecchio. Arriving in brand new colours and tones, ‘Balearic Beauty (Deluxe Edition)’ picks up exactly where the original left off and closes another chapter of Loungers in musical delight.
Roger Shah who first appeared in the dance-phere with his chill-out alias ’Sunlounger’ in 2007 crafted a deluxe edition of a beautiful Magic Island classic where even ’deluxe’ is still an understatement. - A true beauty to end the year with.
“I wanted to close Balearic Beauty with something special. We had so much material that we decided a digital release that features everything, even all remixes of each track, is what would be the best surprise for the fans. Topped with some brand new tracks I am really proud to deliver this special Christmas gift to you on December 16th.“ Roger Shah adds.
With the first single release ‘Come As You Are’ in collaboration with Berlin-based singer and songwriter Inger Hansen the duo proofs once more its striking bond. Known from previous hits such as ’Don’t Wake Me Up’ and ’Breaking Waves’ the alliance of the fabulous brings back the pure balearic sound. Strong Deep House influences combined with the strong, angelic voice of Hansen make ’Come As You Are’ iyour chance to just escape to your Magic Island right on time for Decembers winter vibes. Coming in 5 versions including the Coconuts & Pineapples Remix, the Hello World Uplifting Mix and two remixes by Raul Pablo Sanchez and Brian Laruso the single is dropping on December 5th worldwide.
Only available as digital copy ’Balearic Beauty (Deluxe Edition)’ takes you on a journey of balearic finesse with epic throwbacks, douzens of goosebump moments and pure relaxation.
Shining bright in Coconuts & Pineapples manner, Balearic Beauty (Deluxe Edition) is now available for pre-order on itunes click here
Dimitri Kechagias review:
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Beat and Rhythm[/item]
[item value="10"]Basslines and Groove[/item]
[item value="10"] Melody [/item]
[item value="10"] Synths [/item]
[item value="10"]Vocals and Lyrics[/item]
[item value="10"]Breakdown[/item]
[item value="10"]Climax / Drop / Crescendo / Pay off moment[/item]
[item value="10"]Intensity, Drive and Energy[/item]
[item value="10"]Sound-design and Arrangement[/item]
[item value="10"]Overall Atmosphere[/item]
[item value="10"]Goosebumps / Shivers moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Emotional affinity and heartfelt moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Originality and Inventiveness[/item]
[item value="10"]Dancefloor Efficiency / Festival Arenas Effectiveness[/item]
[item value="10"]Radio Friendly[/item]
[item value="10"]You can’t get this memorable track out of your head[/item]
[item value="10"]It has potential to become an anthem or a classic[/item]
[item value="10"]Marc Lee featuring Angelika Borof - Something Inside Me[/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]Magic Island Deep presents the very classy single by Marc Lee featuring Angelika Borof called Something Inside Me. The track is a magical dreamy balearic progressive vocal anthem with warm basslines, pulsating drums and most importantly truly feel good sunkissed melodies that provide the right scenery for Angelika to sing her very nice lyrics and showcase her theatrical beautiful voice with deep tones. Very hopeful production with the right anthemic atmosphere to carry away the clubbers and bridge the gap between deep and more upfront selections in any DJ set. #PureGold Love It [/content]
Up next on Magic Island Deep we welcome NotAndrew & Alain Ducroix with their new release JohnLover (Deeprock Mix). The track is a chill deep-houser to keep you warm on a cold night this fall. A definite must have for those who don't want to say goodbye to summer yet!
Dimitri Kechagias review:
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Beat and Rhythm[/item]
[item value="10"]Basslines and Groove[/item]
[item value="10"] Melody [/item]
[item value="10"] Synths [/item]
[item value="10"]Vocals and Lyrics[/item]
[item value="10"]Breakdown[/item]
[item value="10"]Climax / Drop / Crescendo / Pay off moment[/item]
[item value="10"]Intensity, Drive and Energy[/item]
[item value="10"]Sound-design and Arrangement[/item]
[item value="10"]Overall Atmosphere[/item]
[item value="10"]Goosebumps / Shivers moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Emotional affinity and heartfelt moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Originality and Inventiveness[/item]
[item value="10"]Dancefloor Efficiency / Festival Arenas Effectiveness[/item]
[item value="10"]Radio Friendly[/item]
[item value="10"]You can’t get this memorable track out of your head[/item]
[item value="10"]It has potential to become an anthem or a classic[/item]
[item value="10"]NotAndrew & Alain Ducroix - John Lover[/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]Magic Island Deep unleashes a truly magical production by NotAndrew and Alain Ducroix. John Lover is a very driving travelling deep house composition with tribal balearic drums, deep basslines, cinematic strings, guitar riffs and fantastic atmosphere that is supported by the awesome vocal with a performance that has character and theatrical qualities too. Emotional warm and very erotic with sexy twisted touch so certainly is not just another average deep house production. Just press play and let the music tell the interesting and intriguing story for John Lover. #PureGold Love It[/content]
If you are looking for a track that will give you that warm summer feeling, you will instantly fall in lovewith Holding Closer. This melodic deep house tune by Brian Laruso, John Hames Renfrow and Meredith Avery was used as Intro Mix on Roger Shah’s Magic Island Volume 7 mix-compilation and is now available as single.
Dimitri Kechagias review:
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Beat and Rhythm[/item]
[item value="10"]Basslines and Groove[/item]
[item value="10"] Melody [/item]
[item value="10"] Synths [/item]
[item value="10"]Vocals and Lyrics[/item]
[item value="10"]Breakdown[/item]
[item value="10"]Climax / Drop / Crescendo / Pay off moment[/item]
[item value="10"]Sound-design and Arrangement[/item]
[item value="10"]Overall Atmosphere[/item]
[item value="10"]Goosebumps / Shivers moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Emotional affinity and heartfelt moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Originality and Inventiveness[/item]
[item value="10"]Dancefloor Efficiency / Festival Arenas Effectiveness[/item]
[item value="10"]You can’t get this memorable track out of your head[/item]
[item value="10"]It has potential to become an anthem or a classic[/item]
[item value="10"]Brian Laruso & John James Renfrow ft. Meredith Avery - Holding Closer [/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]The beloved producer Brian Laruso delivers another great diamond along with John James Renfrow. The track Holding Closer opens the latest Magic Island compilation and here it comes in its original extended mix. The track is truly magical with tribal bouncy grooves, pulsating deep bubbly basslines and excellent emotional piano melodies along with warm cinematic epic orchestral strings along with electronic synthy plucks. The vocals are simply outstanding with the combination of male and female voices bringing together incredible harmonies and even some tears in our eyes. Classy production that shines and guide you to your promised land. #PureGold Love It [/content]
In the big wide world of dance music, there are some happenings that are now as ‘summer’ as summer itself. What, for example, would this time of the year be without the two discs of judiciously compiled, skilfully mixed music, comprising that annual sonic sojourn to the ‘Magic Island’!?
The acclaimed Dj, producer and label owner Roger Shah again delivers a sonic arc that takes you from the surrounds of beach, bar and dayclub on - with perfectly pitched development – to the night. ‘Magic Island Volume 7’s AM-to-PM disc initially plays it slower, cooler and more inclined. Frontend, it mixes up indolent numbers like Static Bloom’s ‘Island Ride’, ‘Holding Closer’ & ‘The Way’ from Brian Laruso and Balearic Session’s ‘Into The Morning Light’. Latterly, grooving rhythms and swaying melodies capture the mix, with equatorial numbers like Sunlounger & Kingseyes’ ‘I Just Wanna Dance’ and (in its new High Noon At Salinas version) ‘Coconuts & Pineapples’.
From Mix 2’s outset, Magic Island’s after-dark credentials come fast to the fore. A deuce from Dirkie Coetzee (‘Space Odyssey’ & ‘You’ll Find Me There’), David Broader’s ‘Celtic Beauty’, ‘Into The Stars’ from Rene Ablaze and the Uplifting Club version of Roger & Moya’s ‘Reasons To Live’ each, by degrees, increase the mix’s elevation. Taking it to its highest heights, Roger newies ‘Love Heals You’ and ‘Never Forget’ sit alongside rafter-blasters like Bernis’ ‘Luminas’, ‘Together’ from Sunbrothers and Andy Elliass & ARCZI’s ‘Hope For The Future’
During the last months Roger Shah has also released Singularity with Nick Murray and Music for Meditation, Yoga And Any Other Wellbeing Moments’. In this very productive period of his life we are happy that Roger Shah has accepted the challenge to answer to our questions and here you can read his answers that contain information that you were not aware of for sure. Press Play in your computer CD and enjoy Magic Island, Music for Balearic people vol.7 while you read his answers in this very interesting interview.
Interview was written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias, Music journalist and radio host at 1mix radio
Dimitri: Hi Roger, it’s always great pleasure to talk with you and very thanks for accepting to do this interview.
Roger: Hi, always nice to talk with you, too
Dimitri: The hardest part for any compilation compiler is the selection process. You asked from your facebook page to send you exclusive cuts for the compilation. How many tracks did you manage to collect and from them why you pick up the ones that manage to be in the latest track listing?
Roger: I received more than 500 tracks but also did a few tracks myself to set the tone and mood for the album. It's like doing a puzzle, first I decide which tracks I really like and then I see how the would fit into the mix together with the other tracks.
Dimitri: I have notice that you mainly choose artists that have worked with you in the past. Is this because you trust them and you believe their talent or just was matter of quality of the tracks they submitted?
Roger: Of course we always let previous artists know about that's that time of the year to send me new tracks, we have new artists as well but for some reason my magic island artists deliver great high quality music and beautiful tracks and maybe just understand what I'm looking for.
Dimitri: We should mention of course that part of the compilation with various tracks is your good friend Brian Laruso who collaborates with you on some projects as well. Would you like to tell us how many years your friendship with him is dated and under which circumstances you met and you become so close friends?
Roger: I think we met via my brother in one of my local resident clubs in Stuttgart in 1998, so our friendship is lasting for a long time, he is also a part of my tour management team travelling with me and my A&R for Magic Island Deep and of course he is really doing amazing music himself. He is just one of a few people who always stood close to me as a real friend also in the harder times of my career when other people left.
Dimitri: In the compilation are included tracks from your side projects High Noon at Salinas and Sunlounger. Would you like to tell us why did you start these projects in the first place and is their sound different of your main Roger Shah sound?
Roger: High Noon At Salinas is my kinda tribal house project and I think I don't have to explain too much about Sunlounger which is my real balearic project. I enjoy using my aliases for the mix album to set the mood for especially for cd 1.
Dimitri: It’s interesting to let us know what happened after selecting the tracks. Did you ask the producers to change or modify them in order to create the mood that you were aiming from with the compilation? If yes what kind changes you asked them to do?
Roger: Yes, wanna take the chance to thank the producers for their support and being open minded to do some changes, sometimes I have some additional ideas to bring a track to another level, sometimes there are just simple things for the intro or outro of the track to make it easier to mix in and out.
Dimitri: After the selection follows the actual mixing. What process did you follow for the mixing of the compilation? Did you mix it as DJ or the mix entirely depends on computer software? Did you try the mix many times with different tracks and maybe different order or you did it with just one take?
Roger: I played around to get a vibe and to find out which tracks fit best to each other. this process takes always a bit of time. to mix I'm using ableton which I also use for my live shows.
Dimitri: Your compilation usually support the careers of many young talents to get exposure to a wider audience. Do you feel that you have received the recognition and appreciation from all the new talents you have supported through the years in your compilation or some of them they didn’t even say thank you for this?
Roger: I think most of them appreciate it and I have a great contact to my artists but of course like in everything in life there are great artists and friendly people but also guys with too much ego for no reasons, who remain as a one timer on my label.
Dimitri: The compilation includes your latest singles as well Roger Shah & Moya Brennan - Reasons To Live, Roger Shah & LeiLani - Love Heals You, and Roger Shah & Nathia Kate featuring Amber - Never Forget. Would you like to tell us what you remember the most while you were producing these tracks and most importantly on how you worked with the singers that all of them are magnificent with Moya Brennan being my personal favorite?
Roger: I travelled to Mexico to work with Nathia Kate on the collaboration for "Never Forget",
all the way to Hawaii to work with Leilani on "Love Heals You" and also took a chance to do a beautiful selfmade video to capture the beauty of Hawaii for the song.
Then went to Ireland to work with Superstar and Grammy winner Moya Brennan, I'm still like a little fanboy when ever I meet her, even I know her for a while now and became friends with her family and also working close with her daughter Aisling Jarvis, it's always something special working with her.
But I enjoy all my collaborations and the creative process of going back and forth with ideas in person. Sometimes you work back and forth via internet, but the best is to sit together in the studio and jam and write together, so I recorded ideas and vocals in those different countries and then did the final mix back home in Germany in my studio.
Dimitri: Are you going to support this compilation with club tour all over the world? Are there such plans?
Roger: I already played a few shows and focused more in the US since my album peaked on a crazy #9 position on Itunes US, already played Orlando and Miami, end of July I will be in Seattle and Portland and after a little summer break I'll go to NYC and we are in talks with more cities in the US but also in talks with Asia, Australia and latin America which is still a huge territory for me.
Dimitri: You have released the album Singularity with Nick Murray. What can you tell us about this album, why you decide to record it and are you satisfied with the final result?
Roger: Doing Dance/Trance music I'm known for is just 30% of what I am doing as a musician/composer/producer. I'm working for severall companies in Hollywood as classical composer and also so called trailer houses specialist in doing cinematic trailers, for me coming from an orchestral background at first, it's an exciting journey, the album with Hollywood composer Nick Murray was ment to showcase a little bit of that work and I received a lot of great feedback and reactions.
Dimitri: Another exceptional album you released lately is "Music for Meditation, Yoga And Any Other Wellbeing Moments’. In your facebook you have noted that you have produced it because your fans were requesting it. Would you like to tell us the basic concept behind this album and what it means to be offered on audio 3D format?
Roger: Yes, I received a lot of request from people being into that direction and were using some of my Sunlounger chill out tracks, but more the instrumentals instead of the vocal hits, so I realised that there must be a demand for that kind of music and was digging deeper into it and started to produce an album into this direction. After my album was finished I got approached by Auro technologies to mix the album in their revolutionary 3D audio format which has been very exciting for me to do. They have their own audio receiver and system and are a competitor to Dolby, so it has been an honour for me that I got invited to go to Belgium to mix my album for their needs.
Dimitri: When the new Roger Shah album will be released and what we can expect on it? Do you currently produce tracks for it?
Roger: Almost done with it, working on it since about 2.5 years and already spent a lot of time and budget, the 3 tracks we talked about earlier with Moya Brennan, Leilani, Nathia Kate are all taken from my forthcoming artist album and the way I travelled to all those places I did it with almost all included collaborations. It's a bit too early to talk about it in depth, but i can reveal it will be a double album in a wide range of sound and also the fusion of Roger Shah & Sunlounger into one project, means some tracks have more the Roger Shah trance sound while others are more Sunlounger balearic and slower bpm influenced.
Dimitri: Do you have an absolute favourite location that you believe your compilation will be enjoyed the most in other words which place is your absolute favourite to take your holiday and escape from your duties?
Roger: Going back to Ibiza for a holiday this summer after I have been away for a few years, but also LA became like my second home, have been very impressed of Hawaii, so I guess any place with beach and palm-trees would do it's magic for me.
Dimitri: Lets finish finally with your message to all the aspiring talents who would like to become part of your Magic Island family of artists. What is your advice for them?
Roger: Try to develop your kind of unique sound and keep on sending music to us, also when you don't receive an answer at first, due to the amount of submissions I can't write to everybody but be assured I'm listening to every track. A link to soundcloud is always the best and easiest way to get heard. also the best time to get signed to Magic Island is always between November - March when I'm working on a new Magic Island mix album.
Thanks very much to Roger Shah who manage to find time despite his busy schedule to reply on this interview.
Many thanks to Tim at Stark Profiles for organising this interview.
Tracklist: Magic Island Vol. 7 – Music For Balearic People Mix 1.
01. Brian Laruso & John James Renfrow featuring Meredith Avery - Holding Closer (Intro Mix)
02. Rogier Dulac & Miss Autumn Leaves - Endless Dream
03. Brian Laruso - The Way
04. Raul Pablo Sanchez - Day Out
05. Static Bloom - Island Ride
06. Balearic Session - Into The Morning Light
07. Raul Pablo Sanchez - Bouncing Chips
08. Sunlounger featuring Kingseyes - I Just Wanna Dance With You (Jukebox 80s Remix)
09. Eddie Murray featuring Rosco - The Ending
10. NotAndrew & Alain Ducroix - John Lover (DeepRock Mix)
Up next on Magic Island Deep we welcome Eddie Murray featuring Rosco with a release that can not be missed in your playlist this summer! The Ending is a warm breeze of melodic deep-house and will also be featured on Roger Shah's Magic Island, Music for Balearic People, Volume 7 compilation, which will be released on June 17th.
Dimitri Kechagias review:
[review top="1"]
[item value="10"]Beat and Rhythm[/item]
[item value="10"]Basslines and Groove[/item]
[item value="10"] Melody [/item]
[item value="10"] Synths [/item]
[item value="10"]Vocals and Lyrics[/item]
[item value="10"]Breakdown[/item]
[item value="10"]Climax / Drop / Crescendo / Pay off moment[/item]
[item value="10"]Sound-design and Arrangement[/item]
[item value="10"]Overall Atmosphere[/item]
[item value="10"]Goosebumps / Shivers moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Emotional affinity and heartfelt moments[/item]
[item value="10"]Originality and Inventiveness[/item]
[item value="10"]Dancefloor Efficiency / Festival Arenas Effectiveness[/item]
[item value="10"]Radio Friendly[/item]
[item value="10"]You can’t get this memorable track out of your head[/item]
[item value="10"]It has potential to become an anthem or a classic[/item]
[item value="10"]Eddie Murray featuring Rosco - The Ending[/item]
[content title="Summary" label="Overall Score"]We all know that Roger Shah is a true legend who has helped many artists from all over the world to find a platform to communicate their music in his mix compilations and become well known as result of this. The Ending by Eddie Murray featuring Rosco is tropical trance at its very best. High class deep haunting basslines, rolling drums, electronic melodies, dreamy synthy layers and hypnotic atmosphere. Rosco vocals are relaxing, calming and smooth and can carry you away to magical places and infinite eternal spaces. If you search for music that can heal your pain for a while and can help you to escape to magic islands then you should press play and let the mysterious magic happen. #PureGold Love it [/content]
