The Electric Disco.
Paraíso - The True Spirit Of Ibiza
I caught up with Daniele Contrini ahead of the release of Paraíso, a lovingly compiled celebration of Balearica, curated alongside the legendary and much missed DJ Alfredo
Words by Mark Limb • Sept 7, 2025
The legendary DJ Alfredo
I first spoke to Daniele Contrini, owner of Rebirth Records, back in February when he first reached out to tell me about Paraíso, a project he had been working on with DJ Alfredo before his passing. It was created to celebrate the music, stories, lifestyle and eclectic creativity at the heart of Ibiza and the Balearic beat.
After a few licensing hurdles and the usual challenges of a project this ambitious, Paraíso is finally available for preorder and will be shipping in the coming weeks.
I was lucky enough to catch up with Daniele again to talk about how the album came together and his vision for it.
Daniele, great to speak with you again.
Can you take us back to the beginning and what first inspired you to create Paraíso?
In March 2022, I had the idea to produce an album/compilation focused on the "True spirit of Ibiza. Ibiza has become a very popular and commercial destination. But in the last two decades nightlife has gradually changed, becoming a money-making machine, moving away from the island's authentic spirit.
So I thought to contact Alfredo, who was for me the best living representative of that era, and who had brought an epochal change in the world of clubs and of the electronic music scene... He was playing and supporting some of our Rebirth releases at the time, so I thought to write him and make him the proposal to select a lits of songs that identified for him the True Spirit of Ibiza.
He immediately was excited about the project, and put me in touch with his manager to find an agreement. Alfredo started working on it. He sent me a list of songs, and I started submitting the licensing requests.
DJ Alfredo and Daniele Shield Contrini
People have debated the roots and meaning of Balearica for years, but how do you define the true spirit of Ibiza?
It's a natural and spontaneous feeling, a state of mind, a predisposition of the body, mind, and soul. Freedom to be and express oneself without labels or distinctions.
“It's a natural and spontaneous feeling, a state of mind, a predisposition of the body, mind, and soul.”
The tracklist features back to back classics! Were there any challenges or surprises compiling and licensing the music?
The process took several months; many licensors declined, other songs were unavailable for licensing, or it was unclear who was the owner of the rights. So I had to go back and forth with Alfredo several times to find other songs.
Furthermore, I was particularly interested in a song Alfredo produced in 1991, called "Inspiration." He put me in touch with the owner of the original label, but he replied that his old partner passed away, and his plan at the time was to re-release the song with a new replayed version, so the rights were not available.
In 2023 Alfredo’s health conditions got worse, and he started living in an hospital, making it difficult to continue with the project. All this discouraged me a bit, so I decided to put the project on hold for a the time being.
In 2024, I wanted to take the project back into my hands to complete it. I asked Alfredo if he could recommend other influential Ibiza DJs of those years, so I could interview them too and gather more material and track titles interesting for the compilation.
He suggested a few artists such as DJ Pippi, Joan Ribas, DJ Nelo, Cesar De Melero. I also contacted other names like Paul Oakenfold, Nicky Holloway, Johnny Walker. The material I collected was slowly growing, and little by little I managed to put together a provisional tracklist, but it was still too short.
Cesar De Melero
Joan Ribas Pippi, Ray, Magadalene i Oscar Lopes, Pacha Summer 1991
Alfredo’s passing in 2024 was a huge loss for the entire Balearic community. On a personal level, how did you find the strength to complete the project after he was gone?
On December 25th, I learned of Alfredo's passing. It was truly a huge blow; sadness and helplessness took over. But it also gave me great motivation to finish the project. I set to work hard to complete the album, especially to pay homage to such an important artist, and a person who had always been available, sincere, and true to me.
I had to complete the compilation, in his honor and memory. But there were many difficulties, my mom was diagnosed with an incurable disease, and my priorities changed. I decided to invest all my energy left into this project.
A young Alfredo
How did you go about completing the album and honoring Alfredo’s legacy?
I finalized a non-exclusive licensing agreement for the song “Inspiration”, and even managed to include an unreleased song by DJ Alfredo, produced together with Arian and Cathy Battistessa.
By the end of March, I had the tracklisting ready, all the licensings done, and I titled the Album "Paraíso. The True Spirit of Ibiza." selected by Dj Alfredo.
I carefully considered every detail; the cover is an image of a 1985 Ku poster by artist Yves Uro, for which I obtained the ok from his sister, Catherine Uro.
Original mockup for the LP cover featuring KU artwork by Yves Uro
I also found a way to collaborate with Alfredo’s son Jaime Fiorito. And here we are, the official release is scheduled for 12th September (vinyl edition). The same day we will also celebrate the album launch at El Silencio/Urusai, a fantastic venue in the beautiful setting of Cala Molì in Ibiza, with an event from 1pm to 1am.
We invited some of the island's legendary DJs such as Cesar de Melero and Roberto Lodola, as well as names from the contemporary Balearic music scene such as Willy Graff, Chromatic Filters and Camilo Miranda.
And Elkin (of Elkin & Nelson) will be the special guest and will give us an exclusive and rare live performance of some of their most famous songs, including "Vamonos" and "Jibaro”, a Balearic classic.
Sunset view from El Silencio
Launch Party at El Silencio
That’s fantastic to hear, and inspiring to see Jamie involved too - carrying forward what Alfredo began. How would you describe Alfredo’s influence on you personally, both musically and creatively?
Being so eclectic, mixing completely different genres, musical colors, in a unique way creating a path and telling a story. This is an art and talent and something completely new for the time. This way of approaching music and life has influenced my artistic journey.
How do you see the Balearic sound evolving in today’s musical landscape?
I think the scene is still rich and diverse, but somewhat marginalized. Balearic music is unfortunately perceived by the masses as for dreamers and as a niche genre. Music suited to pre-party situations.
The sounds and melodies of Balearic music and early dream house are widely used by new producers in a certain music scene especially in the UK, Germany, and Australia. Although I must say it has nothing to do with the original vibe.
“The authentic Balearic vibe has never truly disappeared. It still exists and resists on the island..”
Would you say the old vibe can still be found on the island?
The rising cost of living in Ibiza, along with the VIP culture (a worldwide change we all know about), and the saturation of nightlife have had a negative impact on the original spirit. But the authentic Balearic vibe has never truly disappeared. It still exists and resists on the island.
Sunset at La Torre 2017
You can find it in DJ sets at places like Pikes or Hostal La Torre, at Casa Maca, El Silencio and at The Standard Hotel, or in locations like Benirràs, Salinas, Las Dalias and the San Jordi market.
Ibiza also remains an island where the natural environment has remained intact, covering at least half of its surface. And immersing ourselves in nature alone can provide moments of peace and connection with ourselves
Ibiza vieille ville 1986 by Catherine Uro
It’s true, the natural side of Ibiza often gets overlooked, but it’s such an important part of what makes the island special.
With your project and the LP finally hitting the stores, what would you like listeners to feel or take with them after hearing Paraíso?
The reactions from press and public have been amazing so far.
I think this Album serves to share and celebrate the heritage of what was, projecting it toward new horizons, and to be a great source of inspiration for new generations.
So last question and I guess most importantly, where can readers buy the LP and when is it being released?
The double vinyl will be available in the best record shops from 12th September, and can be preordered on our Bandcamp channel here
The full digital release, including 33 songs, will be available from September 26th
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