With a two decade history recording for Permanent Vacation, Future Classic, DFA/Rong and Guidance along with appearances on Phantom Island, Is It Balearic, Sonar Kollektiv, Cafe Mambo and more, Simon "Woolfy" James and Dan Hastie come with new music for their own label, Ritual Release.
Unpicking the “accidental” name Woolfy vs Projections, they reprise the original moniker for their production duo, Projections, and continue to give shape to their sound, most often characterized as West Coast Balearic.
Projections’ first release on Ritual Release has them extending the more blissed seam in their work that traces as far back as the likes of ‘Luminate Part 2’ from their Between Here And Now long-player, released on Guidance in 2002.
In ‘Original Cell’, Woolfy’s multi-tracked vocals channel expressions of yearning and ecstatic love, over a semi-ambient backing of dulcimer, strings and horn section. The track conjures a glowing vision of Bobby Gillespie conducting a string quartet and New Orleans brass band on a beach at the golden hour.
The original is accompanied by remixes from Khidja and Coyote. Romanian duo Khidja deliver an epic that grows in intensity over the course of 10 minutes, propelled by lysergic rushes and a bassline of the ancients. Produced during lockdown, Coyote’s remix casts a wistful eye at the dancefloor with a euphoric chug that matches the original’s strings and Hastie’s sensitive piano with echoing refractions of Woolfy’s vocal.
📩 FEEDBACK
“I love this original here. Beautiful.” – Osunlade
“Loving this already. Playing the original version early in the show tomorrow morning.” – Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy
“Loving this one!” – Tim Sweeney (Beats In Space)
“LOVE LOVE the original mix, it’s gorgeous” – Groove Armada
“Cracking release this” – Ron Basejam (Crazy P)
“Great remixes, making fine use of the expansive sounds of the original” – Hot Toddy (Crazy P)
“This is lovely I must say” – Idjut Boys
“Lovely music from Projections. Beautiful West Coast Balearic sounds." – John Gómez (Music From Memory)
“I love it” – Kristian Raedle (Innervisions)
“At first listen I already knew it was something special. The original mix is a thing of beauty. I've played it a few times leading up to the sunset and it sets the vibe so perfectly. Kind of reminds me of D*Note's "D*Votion" and things like that with the way it's arranged—it just keeps building and building.
I've also played the Coyote mix a few times and love it! Different direction than the original, a proper groover using the main theme.
Safe to say I'll be playing this release a lot.” – Willie Graff (Pacha, Ibiza)
“Great remixes, but the original is the one for me. Amazing!” – Phil Mison (Cantoma)
“This is beautiful. Love the original and the Coyote.” – Nancy Noise
“The Khidja Remix is my favorite” – Leo Mas
“It's beautiful" – Pete Gooding (Hostal La Torre)
“The original & Coyote’s mix are wicked” – Trevor Fung
“The original is super deep and multilayered, a real work of art. Would pick Coyote’s Deep State Remix for club play though.” – Clive From Accounts
“Beautiful production with a very touching feeling! I like the original the best but remixes are really nice too.” – Kay Suzuki (Time Capsule)
“Love the original” – Daz-I-Kue (Bugz In The Attic)
“Wow, love the Khidja and Coyote. Well done boys.” – Andy Simms (Soft Rocks)
“Loving the Coyote mix! It makes me want to hear it on a beach in the sunshine with a few like-minded souls so badly.... it sounds like summer.” – Richard Norris (The Grid)
“This is ME completely. Wonderful stuff, I can squeeze it into some of my Ibiza sets before we close the season. Proper vibes.” – Phat Phil Cooper (NuNorthern Soul)
“This is lovely” – Graeme Park (The Hacienda)
“This is outstanding! Love the original and LOVE the remixes!” – Kelvin Andrews
“I really like all three mixes! Played on my podcast this week.” – Bill Brewster
“Love the original version—the imaginary soundtrack to some obscure 80s French film in my head. Just beautiful!” – Frank Tope
“The original is one piece of work” – Ben Davis (Paper Recordings)
“Wow, it’s really a track full of atmosphere” – Don Carlos
“Absolutely magnificent!” – Sean Johnson (A Love From Outer Space)
“Really liking this a lot” – Harri (Sub Club)
“All versions are super nice especially Khidja!” – Eddie C
“Lovely stuff! That Khidja remix as well.” – Dave Harvey (Love International)
“Welcome Ritual Release, what an incredible way to start. The original is a beauty. The Coyote is what I need for my sets. The Khidja is perfect for more lysergic journeys. Great EP!” – Max P (Hell Yeah!)
Intoxicating euphoric ethereal psychedelic soul at it’s very best … and I do mean intoxicating, as the adventure never rises above heartbeat level, locked into a slow-paced groove bewitched by R&B inspirations from the late 60s and early 70’s that reach out of the darkness with an easy going vibe of love, joy and happiness.
Jenell Kesler Jenell Kesler
This is simply awesome, have it on repeat since receiving the promo…
Start to finish this is simply sublime, a cosmic Balearic electronic journey with a wonderful
Samples and even iconic spoken word from a Ibiza legend….
Huge fan of the boys, who’s work I’ve featured
Heavily on my shows 10/10 Denis Heaney (Balearic Sessions)
The new Stratus EP is bursting with styles n' sounds as eclectic as shiny 80s soundtracks to epic balearic sunset cuts. Bandcamp New & Notable May 12, 2014