Entertainment Beat

The Spanish island of Ibiza has long been a prized area for Mediterranean getaways. Built 20 years ago by the rocky shore in a barren part of San Antonio, owner Ramon Guiral never thought that it would become world renowned.

"I had dreams," said Guiral, "there was nothing here; people said we were crazy to so something so far away from town."

Guiral lived in an apartment above the building for five years and knew about the area's famous sunsets. "That's why we knew we weren't crazy for starting itÑwe believed in it," said Guiral.

Now, Ibiza's sunsets come to life in MCA Records upcoming domestic debut of "Cafe Del Mar: Volume Seven", a 13-song CD named for the island's popular resort and nightclub destination, Cafe Del Mar.

The CD brings together a collection of tracks from pop, trance and dance stars like Moby, Bush, UKO, Lux and Afterlife.

"Cafe del Mar" is the newest release of the critically acclaimed series that Madonna once described as her favorite listening material. This summer MCA Records will release their eighth CD in the series, which is currently being complied by Spanish producer DJ Bruno.

For the last twenty years, Ibiza's Cafe Del Mar has stood as a "tribute to the sunset"Ña resort and nightclub that has attracted vacationers and celebrities alike. Musicians like early electronicists Jean-Michael Jarre and Vangelis were played along with film soundtracks, ambient music and even classical.

As the clubbing scene grew on the island, the resort's resident DJ, Jose Padilla, began compiling albums of ambient music that he felt captured the spirit of the island and the resort.

"People would ask for a copy of the music we were playing," said Guiral. "We gave it out for free for a while but then starting making CDs."

Since the imprint's beginning, the producer has changed to DJ Bruno and the series has grown enormously popular. Now, with the U.S. release of "Volume Seven" and this summer's release of "Volume Eight," the series has its best chance yet to conquer the United States' dance scene.

The U.K.'s Heat Magazine has named the album the "chill-out album of the year," and Hot Press has called it "exquisite."

Artists and tracks included on "Cafe Del Mar: Volume Seven" are Lux, "Northern Lights;" Afterlife, "Breather 2000;" Moby "Whispering Wind," Deep and Wide, "Easy Rider;" Bush, "Letting the Cables Sleep;" UKO, "Sunbeams;" Aromabar, "Winter Pageant;" Bedrock, "Swollen;" Underwolves, "68 Moves;" Oystein Sevag and Lakki Patey, "Cahuita';" and Slow Pulse featuring Cathy Battistessa, "Riva."

The good stuff: 10 out of 13 tracks are good. The best include "Swollen" by Bent, a duo from Nottingham who can't stop making beautiful tunes. Also Moby is at his best (as usual). "Whispering Wind" is a head-nodding track and "Easy Rider" by Deep and Wide is fantastic.

The not so good stuff: "Beautiful Strange" is its name. It doesn't capture the spirit of the album at all. Plus the album isn't mixed.

"Volume Seven" is a good dance mix. It captures what it claimsÑa laid back, shoulder swaying view of a colorful sunset. Check out "Cafe Del Mar: Volume Seven" online at www.mcarecords.com.