Talamanca System – Balanzat

The first (and perhaps only) release from Talamanca System has been one year in the making. A single track with four interpretations, all at the hands of a new creative connection between International Feel founder Mark Barrott, German scene veteran / Running Back boss Gerd Janson and his production partner Phillip Lauer aka Tuff City Kids. The story begins at a late dinner party at Barrott’s Ibizan hideaway in the Summer of 2013, when, in keeping with his ‘if you’re not using it, give it away’ approach to life, Mark gave Gerd his Studio Electronics ´Boomstar 303´ synth. Gerd was so determined to repay this lavish gesture that he offered to do a remix of a track Barrott was working on. After plenty of back and forth, one remix became a full collaboration and four different versions later (gotta love German productivity), the Balanzat EP was born.

‘Balanzat’ is a record that will instantly transport you to a nostalgic dream like state. A lush medley of warm chords, soft rolling percussive strokes, and a retro bassline groove, it’s a floating balearic house gem, yet rooted in a classicly groovy US leaning framework. Also included in the package is the twisted Acid Reflux, a stomping Tuff City Kids Remix and an ambient reprise in the Beat Box Mix.

Mark Barrott, only recently out of hiding behind the anonymity that his cult label International Feel afforded him, has revealed himself to be the creative force behind much of the closely followed imprints’ back catalogue. With releases under guises such as Parada 88, The Young Gentleman’s Adventure Society, EFeel and of course ‘Unknown Artist’, Barrott is a truly free spirited producer with an A&R eye for rich talent and an ear for real music across many different styles, often falling under the very loose term of ‘Balearic’. Barrott’s debut eponymous album ‘Sketches From An Island’ was unsurprisingly met with widespread critical acclaim this summer.

The “quintessential DJ’s DJ” Gerd Janson co- owns the much revered label Running Back and holds a residency at two of Germany’s biggest club institutions, Robert Johnson and Panorama Bar. Together with fellow scene heavyweight Phillip Lauer, the duo releases music under the alias Tuff City Kids, remixing the likes of Azari & III, Osborne and Erol Alkan’s Future 4 Project as well as releasing on labels such as Osgut Ton offshoot Unterton and Dutch mainstay Delsin.