Techno Tuesday: Luciano and Villalobos @ Cocoon Ibiza 2008

This Techno Tuesday we pay homage to one of the greatest live recorded mixes you can get your hands on. The two DJs we have to thank for this Holy Grail of music are Ricardo Villalobos and Luciano.

It made sense that these long-time friends and colleagues, a pair that spark such a chemistry together behind the decks, were chosen to wrap up the almighty 2008 Cocoon Ibiza season at Amnesia. 

The mixing in this four and a half hour set is wizardry (listen to it above). It's filled loads of scrumptious, Chilean flavoured vinyl, moulded into a journey of a perfect blend of deep, interesting minimal with rolling, hands in the air techno house. All the while it is complimented by tracks teasing in and out with sweeping reverb and delay effects used to their maximum potential.

This is without doubt my most listened to piece of music. You could probably call this mix the soundtrack to my life with the amount of time I’ve dedicated to playing it. In the car, at pre parties, at after parties, doing household chores, chilling, catching up with others; it never gets old, whatever you’re up to. 

Full of flute, piano, clarinet, trumpet, bongos and a whole host of other instruments both synthetic and organic; this mix is as musical as you like. It’s almost like a live band performance, each member taking part in their own hypnotic solos whilst Luciano and Villalobos lay down luscious beats. Of course what’s really happening is said two DJs mixing one tune into the next, in a truly majestic manner.  

Stand out moments include the drop into Luciano’s growling remix of Danny Fiddo & Affkt - ‘Cartas Para Geisha’ just ten minutes into the mix and the excitement caused when SIS ' Trompeta' is thrown into Marlon D ‘Jesus Creates Sound’ for a matter of seconds before getting mixed in properly. This is a tune that is so good, it even gets played again towards the end of the mix.

To name but a few, this mix boasts a medley of instant classics. The Villalobos remix of Danny Fiddo and Affkt’s 'Points',  Marco Carola’s ‘Bloody Cash’, SIS – ‘Nesrib’, 2000 And One’s remix of D’Julz – ‘Just So You Know’, Constipated Monkeys – ‘Cro Magnon’, George Morel – ‘Lets Groove’. The list goes on and on.

It's a barrage of magical moments, right up until the end when what was surely an absolutely dumbfounded and ecstatic Amnesia Terrace celebrated together, having heard and witnessed one of the greatest mixes ever, with an expertly selected closing track, the Deep Dish Remix of De’Lacy’s ‘Hideaway’.

What I would give to have been one of those lucky, lucky people that were present for this occasion. And if you haven’t had the utmost pleasure of listening to this mix before, now is the time. 

Like this? Try Weekends Matter Mix - Sidney Charles Drumcode Radio Live