The history of Ibiza in 100 tracks

1980s KU; DJ Alfredo's Balearic Beat at Amnesia; the downtempo chill-out of Café del Mar and Café Mambo; the 90s superclub explosion; DC10 and the rise of the minimal era; the deep house explosion; today's love affair with deep, progressive tech... Every season new DJs and records define the sound of the summer on the White Isle.

Along with a selection of the island’s top DJs, producers and faces on the scene, we’ve selected 100 Ibiza anthems that still make the hairs on the back of our neck stand up every time we hear them. These are the records that chart the history of the White Isle.

A total sunset classic. We first fell in love with this when we saw the movie Chariots of Fire. But even today, hearing the wistful strings that start it off, they tug at your heart and you can see it having a similar effect on everyone on the La Torre terrace. Mambo Brothers

One of those weird and wonderfully quirky tracks that you can only really get away with in Ibiza. A soundtrack to British eccentric-ism from the heyday of Padilla at Café del Mar. Mark Barrott

I’m fascinated by the genesis of music genres and the accidental ways that they sometimes come about. This is a 30 minute live synth jam recorded in 1981 that somehow sounded like house music before it was invented. The original was part of the soundtrack at the Paradise Garage was later sampled to make the Ibiza classic Sueno Latino. Sub Focus

Playing for eight hours everyday, you soon tire of your tunes, but reaching for ‘Twilight’ was always something of a highlight. The percussive sound of the marimba’s and the hypnotic ‘80s vibe married beautifully with the beach view from the Mambo DJ box. Jim Breese

I don't remember exactly who was playing it, but I remember I was at a villa party in around 2004. When ‘Your Love’ got dropped early morning, the sun came up, there was a beautiful view over the sea and you instantly felt a wave of love for this track, for the music and for the island! A track like this can be used literally in so many situations – it's like it has different faces! This is why I love this track. Andrea Oliva

Farley Funk’s seminal record quickly became a bonafide anthem on the Amnesia terrace back when DJ Alfredo was fuelling a burgeoning scene. Johnny Lee

A wonderful timeless beach, sun, feel good tune that has been a staple of Ibiza’s musical heritage since its release. I luckily have a mix of this done by the band that was never released. Mark Barrott

A crazy, twisted, building acid track over a tough driving kick alone would make you feel like you were off your rocker! This was banned from many radio stations back in the day because of the title. Limited vinyl was pressed and I am lucky to have a copy. I will definitely be dropping this at Sankeys Dance 88/89 this summer here on the island. Clara Da Costa

The Promised Land – according to the rumours, that’s where the world was heading in the summer of 1988. Football violence had peaked and the Cold War was all but over. The future was dance music and the guys and girls stomping around at Privilege and Amnesia knew it. Johnny Lee

Few classic house music tunes have aged quite as well as ‘French Kiss’ by Lil Louis. Huge at the time and still huge now, back in the day this rolling acid tech infusion powered proceedings at Pacha, Privilege and Amnesia. Last week we heard Naca drop it at Ibiza Underground. Johnny Lee

A fusion of jazz and acid house shouldn’t work, but 808 State’s lazy-day sunshine anthem soothes the soul and works the hips. Johnny Lee

The first time we listened to this track was on a tape that we stole from our Dad's collection. It was an Amnesia tape, probably recorded in 1991 or 1992 that was a mix of Italian house and Balearic music. We used to listen to it all the time on our walkman. Mambo Brothers

This wonderfully hypnotic dance-pop crossover tune is a sonic smorgasbord of different elements: a techno bassline and percussion, house piano chords, pop vocals and psychedelic chanting. Johnny Lee

Still one of the finest dance music records ever produced, this haunting classic sounded years ahead of its time when it was first released and remains distinctive today. Massive across the UK free party scene and also here in Ibiza at the start of the decade. Johnny Lee

“What were the skies like when you were young?” Is the question posed by this beautifully hypnotizing ambient-infused trip-hop monster. Johnny Lee

This is a track that got played at Café Mambo in the early days, every single daytime back when we had a beach in front of the bar. We had a Denon CD player that you could load six CDs in. One of them was a compilation from MC Mastercuts called ‘Classic Balearic’. All the tracks were real Ibiza Classics that still get played today. Listening to ‘Talking With Myself’ still brings back memories from those early Mambo days! Mambo Brothers

A proper Ibiza classic. This puts a smile on our faces every time we listen to it. We heard the original for the first time way back in 1993. Then we discovered this remix by Paul. I don't know how, but we ended up with four copies of it on vinyl. Mambo Brothers

Chilled and smokey downtempo vibes from Andrew Weatherall. This tune works perfectly in dark intimate lounge rooms as well as on the beach. Deadly stuff. Johnny Lee

This came out in the early ‘90s and will always stay with me as one of my all time favourite sunset tracks from my early days hanging out at Café del Mar with Jose Padilla and the crew. We would drink brandy and chocolate milk and play back gammon looking over the rocks. This track takes me back to those days and always makes me feel incredibly nostalgic. Clara Da Costa

The most perfect house record of all time. A Café Mambo 2am classic, when you close up the DJ box windows and crank up the volume inside the booth. Jim Breese

Mellow Italian house from 1991. Sounds like a dream, perfect listening for the day after a long and heavy Ibiza session. Jim Breese

I guess it was my Dad who first introduced this tune to me back in the early ‘90s. It goes without saying that this is an absolute classic that is absolutely timeless. Perfect for a sunset performance as the sun literally goes down. Marvin Humes

I first heard this in 1992, at the KU Opening Party, as the sun came up, looking out of those giant windows. Cesar De Melero was DJing and I knew then that I had to spend my life here. Jason Bull, owner Hotel Es Vive

This record belongs to my first visits to Ibiza, listening to José Padilla at the Cafe del Mar. A seminal Balearic track that touched my soul. Jason Bull, owner Hotel Es Vive

Arguably the biggest Ibiza anthem of all time – day or night – this trance track is a righteous staple on any chilled list. Johnny Lee

This reminds me of the Space Terrace. Daytime raving. Hands up in the air. Feel good moments. Whenever I hear this record it takes me straight back to all my memories. Powerful. Rossko

This one starts off with the sound of the ocean lapping against the shore, followed by a mesmerizing dream sequence of vocals and synth chimes. An emotive piano riff leads the tune into darker trip-hop realms. This was big at the time and both spiritually and sonically it still sounds valid today. Johnny Lee

This track means Ibiza more than any other record to me; it just captures that spiritual side of Ibiza: the sunset, the sunrise, the downtime with friends after a big night out, the sun shinning off the water at Cafe Del Mar. Whenever I hear this I can practically smell Ibiza. Steve Lawler

My first experience of the Ibiza sound. Me and my friend Ben used to listen to the classic Jose Padilla CD when we were still in school. Mak & Pasteman

From start to finish, this classic Orbital track characterizes the look and feel of Ibiza. Nostalgic stuff from Orbital’s majestic Brown album. Johnny Lee

Another Orbital classic from the same album, ‘Halcyon and On and On’ is a dreamy house music anthem overlaid with wispy ethnic vocals. Play this as soon as you wake up and fling open your patio doors. Johnny Lee

There are tunes which are almost custom made for a location like the Amnesia Terrace. The unique big bassline groove gets spiced up by great classic strings and synth chords until the sing-along vocal drops down on the crowd. A 100% Ibiza record which was championed heavily by Richie Hawtin. Wanklemut

A throbbing groove that perfectly soundtracks those liquid, lazy Ibiza afternoons. Johnny Lee

José Padilla sunset classic at the Café Del Mar. It has that light and airy chillout sound from the mid nineties that sounds so good on the sunset strip. Jim Breese

Deep acid techno that pays homage to Detroit from the one and only Laurent Garnier producing under his Choice moniker. This hypnotic masterpiece was played religiously throughout the decade. Johnny Lee

The first time we heard this was when Jason Bye played it on a Sunday afternoon at Cafe Mambo in 1996 when we used to have Space Sundays after parties with Brandon Block and Alex P. We remember everyone dancing away to the Latin vibe in the summer sunshine. It was perfect, we clearly remember my father raving to this and working. Great times! Mambo Brothers

This is the best song to begin new adventures to. Or to enjoy a day off, in the sun with an ice cold rose wine and hearing this song. Doesn’t get any better! Anja Schneider

An infectious 303 acid line coupled with an instantly recognisable breakbeat drum loop create the perfect foundation for Wink’s weird psy-altered vocal. Johnny Lee

Mysterious, earthy and Middle Eastern, a vibe that sounds so good in Ibiza at Sunset time. The ever-reliable track to play for the nightly fire dance at Café Mambo Ibiza and it got you out of DJ tempo trouble; going from mellow chillout and on into house. Jim Breese

Back in the mid-90s, Armand van Helden was one of the leading cult figures in the house music scene. He created lots of classics under his own name but also did some great stuff under different aliases. One of them is “Mole People“, which he used for a couple of 12inchs on Strictly Rhythm. In 1995 he released a 13 min long epic piece of Club Music called “Break Night“. With it’s hypnotic percussion pattern and the unique chords, this track has a great Balearic feeling and stands out as a classic Ibiza tune for me. Wanklemut

Released in 1996, this classic trancey breaks tune hit Ibiza the following summer. The piano chords carry the track, but it’s the pads that deliver the emotion. Johnny Lee

Remember this deep house tune? Well, most people don’t. But it was a big tune at DC10, long before the venue became a famous techno Mecca. Johnny Lee

This classic chillout tune was remixed thousands of times, but the original Karma release remains the most emotive of the bunch. Johnny Lee

A massive house music anthem which scored serious airtime at Manumission, Pacha and all across San Antonio at the height of the big-room, Ibiza Uncovered era. Johnny Lee

The high watermark for the French house movement of the time was this chart-topping crossover tune by Stardust. Johnny Lee

I first heard this on a compilation when I was at school whilst reading about Ibiza in Mixmag. Then when I first came to the island in 2007 it was literally the first track I heard! I wish I could remember who played it, it was one of those moments I dreamt about… and then it happened. Archie Hamilton

A true trance masterpiece from Nicholas Bracegirdle with those legendary soaring vocals from Máire Brennan. Johnny Lee

This became synonymous with me on the terrace at Space when the terrace had no roof. For all of my 10-12 years holding down that room, this was a track I always finished with. It was my signature track and always reminds me of the summer hay days of the Space terrace. Steve Lawler

Sasha’s moody prog-trance anthem was heard everywhere, from the Space Terrace to Manumission, not to mention Radio 1’s Essential Mix. In hindsight, ‘Xpander’ marked the end of Ibiza’s superclub era, ushering in a more intricate, introspective phase in Ibiza’s history. Johnny Lee

This is another magical track which I heard for the first time around 2000 while on holiday with my girlfriend. It was the maestro Danny Tenaglia behind the decks and he built the night in such an amazing way that when he dropped this track the whole place just fell in love. It was that progressive tribal house era where the music was more emotional. Detlef

This one is just pure summer. Whenever I hear this classic it always makes me think of Ibiza and the sun in those early days. Jonas Blue

A true techno anthem that defined the post-millennium clubland panorama for rave heads partying at Space. Johnny Lee

A lively, standalone party classic that sounds completely unique. Yet despite its distinctive nature, driven by a saxophone lead, this Garnier masterpiece was regularly heard at events as diverse as Cocoon and Manumission, as well as being championed by Carl Cox. Johnny Lee

Easily one of our favorite Ibiza tracks. The vocal just grabs you straight away. I remember the first time we heard this track at Café Mambo many years ago. Definitely a timeless classic! Solardo

On one of my first visits to Ibiza I got introduced to this by Bruno who played it at the original location of Cafe del Mar. Originally released on the longtime gone german record label, Stereo Deluxe, this track has great musical vibes with an almost erotic feel. Latin elements collide with southern US swamp sounds and the added percussion makes it almost dancefloor friendly. Wanklemut

Chillout don José Padilla’s trick has always been the ability to take his time. ‘Adios Ayer’ is a soaring downtempo masterpiece that delivers when it is ready. Johnny Lee

I heard this track for the first time when I went to Ibiza. It was in Es Paradis, although I can't remember who played it. I just remember it being a really euphoric moment. I played this track recently and was really surprised all the younger ravers knew what it was, seeing as most of them would have been about five years old when this was released. This is a track that I don't think will ever be far from our current to playlist. Solardo

A standout tune on Tony Humpries’ old-time Fabric compilation, this smooth house music record makes the most of Marie Tweek’s gorgeous folk musings. Poignant. Johnny Lee

I first heard this one in Space – rest in peace – and it just blew my mind. Archie Hamilton

Beach and sunset vibes aplenty from Mandalay on this super emotive, Café del Mar championed downtempo nostalgia-fest. Johnny Lee

This often overlooked trip-hop tune was hidden away on Alexkid’s excellent Bienvenida album. The echoed strings and soaring spoken vocals give this track a meditative feel. Johnny Lee

I was at a party where Pete Heller was a guest and he played this song when the first lights of sun came out. I was off my head and it was unbelievable in how many places this song took me. It was around 2001 when I heard this and has been a favorite since then — it still brings me memories of that night. Detlef

This was a sunset anthem in 2002 amongst the staff at Mambo. Its deep, emotional and hooks you right in. Jim Breese

Anyone remember the days of funky house? Upbeat tunes, bleached blonde mullets and ripped jeans. Musically, this catchy Tim Deluxe track epitomised the sonic prerequisites of the era and became the backing track to the Balearic summer of 2002. The genre didn’t last for long… and rightfully so. Johnny Lee

An essential tune for any sunset collector. Released when trip-hop and chilled breaks were a big deal commercially and with more discerning audiences in Ibiza. Johnny Lee

Paul Oakenfold threw the kitchen sink at his Bunkka album and it shows in the polished production. This soaring breaks anthem was a big radio hit in the UK and helped to define the sound of the summer in Ibiza. Johnny Lee

2003, the year David Guetta released ‘A Little More Love’, the tune that catapulted him to global superstardom. On a slightly more underground tip, the dissident hit of that summer was Ricardo Villalobos’ strikingly atmospheric ‘Easy Lee’. The absolute anti-thesis to Guetta’s mainstream pop offering, ‘Easy Lee’ defined the summer at DC10 and Cocoon. Johnny Lee

Every time I hear this it reminds me of those crazy afterhours back in the day, after Cocoon, when Sven played at beach locations like Estanyol. This track always gives me a lot of goosebumps each time I hear it. For me, it perfectly combines soulful deepness with Balearic drumming. Monika Kruse

The summer season passes at a much slower pace when you urge James Lavelle’s Never, Never, Land masterpiece through the best beach bar speakers on the island. Johnny Lee

Upbeat electro meets tech-house with those catchy bleeps that you either loved or loathed. Johnny Lee

The year my wife and I met, 2004, Mixmag did a cover CD called 'Essential Summer Groove', which Groove Armada compiled and mixed. It became our soundtrack to the summer and this track became our song. Steve Lawler

A fantastic musical journey which guides the original vocal through various forms of musical expression. A huge string laden intro makes this a very atmospheric ambient track, until the disco sounding bassdrum comes in and added synth elements take the listener on a ride towards the roots of US house music. This was the opening track for my first BBC Essential mix. Wanklemut

Cocoon Closing, Amnesia, 2005. Richie, Luciano, Ricardo, Alter Ego and Sven. A real daylight morning session. Half of East London seemed to be on the Terrace that morning when someone dropped this absolutely amazing track. A very big moment for me getting to know the island and enjoying Amnesia! Rich NxT

When I first came to Ibiza, I went to the Cocoon Opening, and I’ll never forget Sven Väth playing this at 8am in Amnesia. I’ll remember that moment forever – such an amazing track at that time in the morning and in that situation. Guy Gerber

In the mid-00s, producer Mathew Jonson was changing the way DJ/producers thought about making dance music. Within the space of 12-months, the scene seemed to evolve more than it had done in the previous three years and it’s fair to say that tech tunes like ‘Decompression’ were partly reasonable for the quickening. Johnny Lee

I heard this track around 2007 while chilling out with some friends in a bar after a crazy night of lots of partying. It was a local DJ playing it and I felt straight away that it must have been a Thievery Corporation production. It was around that era where chillout music became pretty popular and a lot of people around the world where playing it. Detlef

This was Luciano in the year he blew up the DC10 Terrace for Circo Loco. After that summer, Luciano went through the stratosphere and became one of the most sought after DJs. I remember being front and centre on the terrace surrounded by every DJ that ever played in Ibiza. In those days DC10 was packed with industry types. I was with Matt Tolfrey and we said it then, he is gonna blow up. Steve Lawler

Timeless minimal deep tech championed by Sven Väth, John Digweed and everybody in-between. Johnny Lee

Watching Wooly drop this on the space terrace at the infamous We Love… Sundays pretty much sums up the moment it all clicked into place for me as far as really understanding what I wanted to do next. This track still stands the test of time! Doorly

I have real goosebumps when I think about this track, especially when Sven Väth was playing this one at the after hours. It reminds me the best moments of my first steps in Ibiza around 2006. Timeless, emotional, the perfect Ibiza classic! Ilario Alicante

I heard this record in my local record store. I used to buy more chilled music as a collector and i! Records was one of my favorite labels of that time. I never managed to play the song in a club, but it was one of these records I really enjoyed playing in my house almost everyday just to listen and relax. Detlef

Released at the back end of 2006, this Matthew Dear special was still fresh when it finally hit Ibiza’s best dancefloors the following summer. Johnny Lee

An accessible, kind of trancey, kind of progressive house music fusion that quickly broke a young producer called Deadmau5’s to a globally-sized audience. In Ibiza, ‘Faxing Berlin’ was played everywhere, all summer long. It worked on the beach, in the beach bars, in the clubs and in our hotel rooms the following morning. Johnny Lee

I went to a lot of minimal techno nights around the mid to late 00s in Ibiza and one night I remember Sven Väth playing this twice in the same set at Cocoon at Amnesia. Complete dancefloor devastation and influenced a lot of my productions at the time. Sub Focus

The house track that was always playing when we rolled up at Ushuaïa, back when the all conquering hotel brand was still an under-the-radar beach bar. Johnny Lee

DC10 was closed for the summer In 2009. In its absence, minimal beats started reverting back towards a more organic house music sound. This tribal offering is arguably the bridge that connects those two eras, that insanely catchy flute melody lending the track its Balearic calling card. Johnny Lee

Deep house lands in Ibiza, with Solomun at Sankeys and Jamie Jones at DC10 spearheading the charge. The tune of the summer? Azari & III’s ‘Hungry For The Power’, which captured the imagination of an entire generation of post-minimal Brit ravers. Johnny Lee

I love to play the occasional downtempo set and have played sunset sets in many locations on the island. ‘Becoming Fields’ is one of the best for this – it's immersive with a feeling of anticipation. Despite being an ambient track, there's a subtle rhythm at the perfect pace to transition smoothly into something upbeat after sunset. Ben Hoo

In 2011, I played a regular boat party called Blueprint. After the first few times I played, people on the boat parties started to sing along when I played this track. A couple of months into the season, Richy Ahmed, Russ Yallop and myself played a Hot Creations party at La Plage and when I played ‘Something Special’, to my surprise, everyone on the beach already knew the song. Miguel Campbell

Chillout for a more contemporary time period, with synths replacing the more organic instrumentation of yesteryear. A remarkable record that gets even better whenever you hear it in Ibiza. Johnny Lee

A huge year for Marc Kinchen. Everything he touched seemed to turn to gold. His remixes alone seemed to self style the sound of the summer – a garage evolution of the UK bass house sound that had been gaining popularity on the White Isle for a couple of years. Johnny Lee

What a tune! The record that soundtracked life on San Anotnio’s infamous Sunset Strip back in 2013. Championed all the way by Café Mambo’s Kenneth Bager. Johnny Lee

This is one of my favourite island anthems and it’s no surprise that ‘Ibiza' is in the title. It reminds me of amazing times with Jamie Jones on the terrace and it really captures the Paradise, Hot Creations vibe. Anja Schneider

A lush electronic dance music harmony born to harmonise with an Ibiza sunset. Johnny Lee

Big at Café del Mar and across the road at Café Mambo for the past three summers. Quality stuff from Mark Barrott, one of the true masters of Balearic chill. Johnny Lee

Released just in time for the summer of 2014, David August’s epic ‘Epikur’ is a magical, multilayered house track that fosters elation and introspection in the mind of every listener. Johnny Lee

A new track that is to me already a classic. I use it to transition from the early part of the evening into the period before sunset. Mark Barrott

Regularly broadcasting at Circo Loco and Cocoon and championed by Jean Claude Ades at Lío, Guy Mantzur’s ‘Epika’ back-dropped Ibiza’s best afterdark dancefloors in 2015 in the most understated way. Johnny Lee

A big tune for Danish dance music pioneer Kenneth Bager when he was in-charge of daytime musical proceedings at Café Mambo. Johnny Lee

After years of uncertainty, Oxia’s spine-tingling ‘Domino’ was finally given the remix treatment back in late February. Six months later and Matador’s remix is still dominating Ibiza’s best dancefloors. Carl Cox, Adam Beyer, Maceo Plex, Matador and the rest have been championing this spooky, hypnotic monster at Privilege, Pacha and Amnesia. Johnny Lee

Johnny Lee is Mixmag's Ibiza Correspondent