Totem EP by James Bright

Following the success of NuNorthern Soul’s Hints of Ibiza series of digital-only EPs, each of which came with bespoke artwork from White Isle-based artist Helen Sadler, the label is launching a new series for 2022: Myths of Ibiza. Fittingly, the new series’ debut release comes from a producer who has already carved his name into the island’s musical mythology, James Bright.

James first rose to prominence in the early 2000s, when working alongside Steve Miller (AKA Afterlife) as Lux he was responsible for a string of soft-focus, slowly shifting Balearic gems. Since then, he’s become a stalwart of the 21st century Balearic scene as a solo producer, with his NuNorthern Soul debut following releases on such labels as Eclectics, Nang, SEVA Music and Quatro Music.

On the Totem EP, the long-serving producer once again proves his versatility, offering up a quintet of cuts that touch on many different aspects of his colourful, Ibiza-inspired sound. He begins with title track ‘Totem’, a languid chunk of pitched-down Balearic dub rich in deep bass, reverb and delay-laden percussion, echoing guitars and kaleidoscopic synthesizer sounds. ‘Return’, the track that follows, boasts a similarly dubby groove but immerses it in sunset-ready ambient textures, dreamy pads, sparkling electronics and a squeezable, mood-enhancing synth-bass motif.

‘Blush’ sees Bright step things up further, blurring the boundaries between squelchy nu-disco and languid Balearic beauty – all undulating synth-bass, cascading electric guitar solos, Nile Rodgers style licks and colourful melodies – while ‘Amber’ brilliantly joins the dots between pitched-down Balearic piano house, shuffling Latin grooves and the vivid retro-futurism of Phil Mison and Pete Herbert’s Reverso 68 project. Some people may also hear this influence in bold and danceable closing cut ‘Indigo’, a piano stab-happy shuffle through Kaleidoscopic nu-disco with a subtle Italian house twist.

Like last year’s Hints of Ibiza series, each of the Myths of Ibiza EPs comes with bespoke artwork from a selected artist. This year’s illustrator is Emily McGuinness, an Ibiza-based artist whose work for NuNorthern Soul takes inspiration from folkloric tales of the White Isle. Her painting for Bright’s Totem EP depicts Bes, an Egyptian god of “protection, safety and dance” – a “good spirit” who became associated with dancing, sexual pleasure, and good times. Some would say his spirit still watches over Ibiza.

Having had a deep love of music from an early age, listening to and writing. James Bright’s career in production began in 1999 when he was introduced to legendary producer Steve Miller (AFTERLIFE).
The duo went on to form the successful downbeat act LUX and their debut production NORTHERN LIGHTS, picked up as the opening track for Café Del Mars compilation series.