The evolution of drum and bass started during the 90’s UK rave scene. With a collective of influences such as dub, jazz, hip hop and (amongst others), all forming what was soon to be an unmistakable sound. One that would solidify into its own genre. A genre later to blow up dance floors across the world, for years to come.
There’s a whole heap of talent here on Ibiza. Talent that goes way beyond the 6 month typical season each year.
Meet Darren and Alex Herbert (Jazzy), two halves of island-based DnB label Balearic Breaks.
Local talent here is undeniable. And whilst neither of the Balearic Breaks duo originate from the island itself, the year-round residents have created something here that hasn’t been done before. And for that reason, it should be celebrated.
Check out our Q&A with one of the pioneers of the DnB scene, Darren Jay, and flourishing DJ & producer, Jazzy.
Q. How did you form the Balearic Breaks collaboration?
A. Our love of various styles of Drum and Bass brought us together here in Ibiza, and we had flirted with the idea of doing some soulful D&B nights here on the island. So when lockdown started, it gave us the perfect opportunity to actually start the label, and push the sound we had been speaking about for a few years.
Q. Darren, How did you get into the DnB scene to begin with?
A. I’ve been DJing since 1989. I was lucky enough to be a resident for AWOL (A Way Of Life), and part of the whole jungle explosion. 35 years later, we’re still here.
Q. How did you end up getting in with the Louder team at Eden on Mondays?
A. I (Jazzy) found my way into the Louder team by being called upon by my friend Micheal who’s is now the events manager of Louder. Now I used to be the resident for Together at Amnesia for 2 years, which has a lot of the same heads involved within Louder. Being a prominent Ibiza-based DJ, pushing a new sound within drum and bass (and being a promotions monster), it feels like the start of an amazing partnership.
Darren Jay
Q. What’s so different about yourselves, compared to other labels would you say?
A. Darren – We are Ibiza’s first ever d&b label living on the island. Being a regular visitor since 1990, the whole Balearic sound caught my attention. Our label Ethos consists of Soulful Balearic Breakbeats. It doesn’t just appeal solely to the d&b crowd, we also try to reach house lovers, and the RnB, urban and soul crowd too.
Q. How did you both meet?
A. Jazzy was running Bassface here in Ibiza, Micky Finn & I were doing Sunbeatz (a d&b holiday here) regularly every September. Jazzy and his team sold some tickets for us, and played at the Zoo for us too. I noticed he was a really talented DJ, and we went on to be great friends .
Q. If you have to choose your all time favourite track, regardless of genre, what would it be and why?
A. The Marvin Gaye album ‘What’s Going On’, a genuine masterpiece.
Jazzy
Q. Where’s the best place you’ve ever played Alex and why?
A. I have to say the best, well my favourite place that I’ve played had to be Amnesia. When I first walked into the club in 2016 my mind was blown, and I knew instantly that it was one of my goals in life to play there. Now fast forward 2 years and I held the residency in the venue, that was then rated ‘The best club in the world‘. There’s a special kind of magic in that place, and it was amazing to tick-off something from my bucket list.
Q. And the worst Darren?
A. Two come to mind for me. 40.000 plus people in the desert LA in the 90s. Possibly Andy C’s first ever American gig? We were of course playing vinyl and dub plates. The wind picked up and started some kind of sand storm. Every record jumped, there was sand everywhere. Unbelievable production, but a bloody nightmare to play. Secondly was Boxing day. A naughty Jungle gig at the Marcus Garvey Centre in Nottingham in the 90s. Lets just say it was tense in there. I did a mix that I used to tease the crowd with, “No Diggity” – the piano part. The crowd got so excited and someone let off a machine gun in there. Once people realised it wasn’t a part of the record, pandemonium broke out it was like the wild west.
Q. If you could both choose one artist to collaborate with, who would it be and why?
A. So we would have to choose a team/collaboration type of thing. Break, Random Movement, DLR with the spirit of Lee Scratch Perry overseeing the whole project.
Q. What’s next for Balearic Breaks this year?
A. We will be finishing on a high, with the release of a new track on the 16th September from a Brazilian artist named Duo Science. Following that will be another release from a producer called Noppo on the 14th October. Not only that, but we will also be releasing some tracks from Skuff’s debut album, called ‘In Your Soul‘ this year too.
A beautiful, soulful drum and bass album to get you moving.
Outside of our label, we’ll also be heading to a number of parties over the remainder of the year. – END
On the 23rd September you can catch Darren, for the Moondance/AWOL/Sunbourne festival at Hainault Recreation Ground in Essex. On the 1st October he will be in Brighton at The Arch for AWOL. Alongside Darren will be sets from fellow drum and bass legends such as Micky Finn, Randall, Kenny Ken and more, along with MCs Shabba, MC GQ, Fearless and more.
You can catch Darren & Jazzy tonight at Eden for Louder, plus next Monday for PT1 of their closing parties.
Get your tickets here.
Stay up to date with new releases and news from the BB guys by liking the socials.
Written by Alexandra Ellis
