It’s heartening when a compilation kicks off with a song that is quite simply gorgeous: Danny Michel’s cover of David Bowie’s “Ashes to Ashes”. I love this new trend that seems to be creeping in: DJs lacing downbeat dance with softly strumming guitars and souldful vocals devoid of the doof-doof beat. It’s recognising that the dance-music generation’s tastes have grown and broadened to include a wide repertoire of music – and as long as it’s relaxing, we don’t mind it at all. (Sheesh – I just realised how old I sounded!)

So what have we got on this little gem, mixed up by a man who has spent far too many of his adult years soaking up the sun on Ibiza’s stunning Salinas beach? A slurred and sexy number by Nitin Sawhney, featuring the usual Asian-tipped lamenting vocals but mashed together with a stoner-riffic partner lobbed into the mix by remixer Fink. The requisite Espanola Chiquita style grooves come care of S-Tone Inc Introducing Toco, who slip into a little Samba perfect for hip-wriggles and there’s spaced out dancehall parping on the excellent Layo and Bushwacka’s “Isn’t This a Lovely Day”, which calls on the considerable talents of the long deceased Ella Fitzgerald and compadre Louis Armstrong.

Also fabulous is “Everything” by Radio Citizen, hailing from Berlin, which carries that delicious scratchy quality usually obtained by spinning crackly old vinyl on yer grandma’s turntables. “You Wish” by Nightmares on Wax is an enormously heartfelt track which made me feel nostalgic as soon as it started playing – tugging on the heartstrings with its gently noodling guitar and harpsichord. I’ve also got a soft spot for popsicle-cute dance-popsters Mint Royale, who show off more dreamy male vocals on Dancehall places as well as the rather cute remix of “Feelin’Groovy’ that manifests in a track by Patrick and Eugene, entitled 59th Street Bridge Song.

Surprised? Yes! I was expecting “yet another Ibiza compilation” but instead found a soft, poppy, well considered selection of tunes that smacks of beachside life and a relaxed groove. For those of you suffering through a nasty southern winter, it could be just the thing to put some sunshine into your mood.