Kelvin Andrews of Soul Mekanik (besides Candyflip, Sure Is Pure, and Sound 5) has joined forces with the ever Balearic Mike to bring disco lovers and laidlack folks a collection of the most chilled out and summery of jams. Balearic Mike having been part of the LuvDup crew and resident expert behind the counter at the Vinyl Exchange means he's been an unrivalled avid collector and conoisseur. Dazed get a sneak promo mix showcasing what you can expect from the compilation, where you'll find aural wonders from the likes of The San Sebastian Strings and the Willow Band’s Willowman. Expect Latin-soul for Croatian boat parties as well as knees-ups in Stoke-on-Trent...

Dazed Digital: What is your new compilation all about?
Kelvin Andrews: With the Down To The Sea series we hope to capture a certain sand between the toes balearic spirit. A non-obvious, curated compilation of both new and old tracks which represent the state of play within this genre-busting genre. Balearic is once again a buzz word but the scene has been growing for 20 years or more. The Andy Votel artwork is stunning, the sleevenotes in-depth, anecdotal and humorous. We are most definitely indulging ourselves, but ultimately, the music pulls it all together and makes it a thing of desire.

DD: Did you find it difficult to narrow down to your final choices?
Kelvin Andrews: Yes! Which is why Volume 2 is on its way.  

DD: Mike, how did you get so Balearic?
Balearic Mike: As Carl Bean once sang, I was born this way...

DD: What is your production process together like?
Balearic Mike: We spend a lot of time playing through hundreds of great records, some rarer than others. If the record companies are of no help or no longer exist, we'll hunt down long forgotten artists and knock on their doors from San Francisco and New York to Paris, Toronto and Ibiza town. Most of them are thrilled to find their music being appreciated. There's a great team involved in the licensing process, all music lovers, and when we have the right balance and vibe... the compilation is put into production. It takes time, but people notice the attention to detail and show their appreciation.