International Feel Uruguay

Review: Despite a career in electronic music that stretches right back to the mid 1990s, this album marks the first time that International Feel boss Mark Barrott has released music under his own name. That's a surprise, but then the whole project - quickly recorded and mixed during a period spent living in Ibiza - has a delightfully spontaneous feel about it. Exotic, humid, atmospheric and richly immersive, Sketches From An Island sees Barrott in full on Balearic mode, laying down a series of instrumental soundscapes variously influenced by Tangerine Dream, Brian Eno, Robert Fripp, Peter Green and the Orb. It's pretty darn good, too, sounding like a sassier, more cultured version of his 2007 Future Loop Foundation set Memories From A Fading Room.

Review: International Feel's recently launched mini album series continues, with long-serving downtempo producer CFCF delivering his vision of a lazy Balearic holiday. Sitting somewhere between Jose Padilla, Joan Bibiloni, and Gigi Masin's collaborations with Templehof, the extended player's eight tracks bristle with authentic live instrumentation, most notably jazzy guitars, soft-focus acoustics, reflective pianos and humid accordions. These are effortlessly blended with subtle electronics to create sun-kissed, early morning mood pieces that undoubtedly define the Balearic, after-hours experience. What's most striking about On Vacation, though, is just how beautiful it is. At times, it's breathtakingly stunning.

Review: Mark Barrott's kickstart's International Feel back into action with this new release by Charlie Charlie. Consisting of Stockholm-based musicians Gabriella Borbely (aka Bella Boo) and Jens Resch (Chords), their musical project is said to have begun on a beach in Southern California - and you can certainly hear that influence on the tracks featured on the Save Us EP. The title track featuring vocalist Mapei is a low-slung serving of balearic pop that altogether makes for the perfect summertime groove. Over on the flip is the saucer-eyed chill-out number 'Charly' mixing acid, vocoder and breezy synths into the most evocative and neon-lit experience you'll hear this year

Review: Shelter began his production career re-editing quirky cuts of a Balearic persuasion, before dropping a fine collection of original tracks on Uber last autumn. That set of woozy, horizontal gems clearly impressed International Feel boss Mark Barrott, as he's decided to release the French producer's debut album. Zon Zon Zon is arguably a little more varied than some may expect, with Shelter combining his usual new age inspired melodies and tropical flavours with nods to rubbery, post-disco pop, dub, woozy ambient and the kind of fluid, sun-baked electronica that defies easy categorization. However you describe it, Zon Zon Zon is mightily impressive, delivering a near perfect blend of electronic and acoustric instrumentation.

Review: After three years and some 30-odd releases, acclaimed anything-goes Balearic imprint International Feel is being put on ice. While it may return in future (label boss Rocha is deliberately vague about the details), this excellent two-disc set has been designed to bookend the story thus far. As well as familiar favourites from the likes of Locussolus (AKA DJ Harvey), Gatto Fritto, Bepu N'Gali, Hungry Ghost and Flights of Fancy, there's a couple of unreleased originals and remixes. There's also the chance to get hold of some of the label's rarest, previously vinyl-only material, including Panda 88's excellent "You're Gonna Miss Me" and the near mythical "Adventure Party" by The Globe, an essential acid-disco stomper.