'Carl Craig & Sonja Moonear in the mix' review

Image: Cocoon (credit Phrank)

With the fun and frolics of another season in Ibiza drawing to a near, it's once again time for Sven Vath's immortal Cocoon revolution to have the final say on all things techno.

The aim is simple; two DJs create two sublime mixes that reflect the past season with the aim of transporting the listener back to sunnier climes and more carefree times. While the flickering embers of summer remain, what better way to confront the winter months than by reliving the wonders of the white Isle?

Last year, the responsibility was left with Dana Ruh and tINI with the pairing seamlessly blending remixes and original cuts from the likes of Mr G, Anthea and DJ Pierre.

For 2016, it's the turn of Carl Craig, a man considered one of the principal names in the Detroit second generation and Sonja Moonear a woman who has gained international acclaim with tracks and remixes released though Karat and Perlon. 

Overseeing proceedings on disk one is Craig with an atmospheric mix that reaches a light intensity in places but never enough to rattle your brain too much, preferring to brood in his template majestic manner.

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Early in the mix, the Detroit don fuses Ricardo Villalobos' remix of DJ Pierre's 'What Is House Music' with a Dennis Ferrer interpretation of '7 Directions' from Luciano (listen above) and this sets the precedent nicely.

Later on there's an inclusion for Mark Fancuilli, whose track 'Can You Translate' was released on Craig's Planet E label earlier this year, as well as the timeless Amnesia anthem 'Domino' from Oxia. Luca Ballerini's 'Impressions Of Dawn' and Agoria's 'Speechless' draw things to a close. The latter contradicts its title with dirty talk riding atop pounding beats and surging synths.

Swiss selector Moonear brings a different vibe on the second disc. Beginning with a more housey feel, Ralphi Rosario's 'Music Music' is deep and energetic and this continues with the Berlin dub permeated 'You Got Me Going Crazy' from Brett Johnson. 

As the mix progresses it becomes much more driven with tracks from Villalobos once more and John Tejada, whose 'Fourier Transform' pulsates with intent. The former's inclusion comes in the form of his recently released 11 minute opus 'Amnesia', which concludes side two with an authoritative stamp of unflagging hi hats and ominous sounding drops of water. It, like the compilation itself, is a fitting tribute to the club with which Cocoon has defined 21st century techno.

Got you in the mood for a Cocoon party? Cocoon Derry takes places on Saturday 27th August, with a return to the Asylum in Liverpool for Halloween. See the full list of Cocoon shows.

Find Carl Craig shows and Sonja Moonear tickets.

Like this? Try 24 hours in ibiza (Circo Loco & Cocoon).