Releasing records steeped in the Balearic tradition is the raison d'etre of Phil Cooper's NuNorthern soul label. Paying close attention to the blissed out, spacious end of the musical spectrum with numerous high quality offerings to soundtrack the more meditative activities in life.

New one ‘The Mandala Vortex’ from recent signing Visions of Light (Simon Sheldon in cahoots with two of his own labels’ musicians, Muzka and Dan Dub Lounge) continues in that tradition with some aplomb. Pulling at the various threads of dub and ambient music they’ve woven them into a dreamy escapade that sucks the listener into inner space.

Tunes like ‘Trip’ pay homage to the echo and dub of yesterday, with filtered vocals for added cosmic effect. Meanwhile ‘Breathe’ provides a slow burn acidity to the mix. Elsewhere ‘The Last Domino’ strays into classic chill territory, but done very well indeed via its rolling downplayed tabla sounds and warped bass. There’s a twinkling high end keyboard roll in ‘Daytime’ that opens up the space around the music to great effect.

Those dubby calls are always drifting in and out, especially on tracks like ‘Bring it back’ with its subtle skank, delicate clavinet sounds and evocative voices. A beautiful sax solo adorns ‘Echoes in Time’ matched somewhat by a more desert inflected horn on ‘Sands’, broadening the palette of sound into new and unexpected places.

Super nice production throughout, at a perfect pace for an afternoon under the palms.

Mandala Vortex comes out on 11 July via NuNorthern Soul