john beltran: coquito
Francisco Espregueira
Three decades into a career that has touched everything from Detroit techno and ambient to Balearic grooves and Latin jazz, John Beltran still sounds effortlessly curious. For his latest outing on Phuture Shock Musik, the Michigan producer delivers Coquito, a sunlit release that feels tailor-made for open-air sessions and slow summer evenings. Beltran first emerged in the early ’90s with the cult classic "Aquatic" on Carl Craig’s Retroactive imprint, before building an acclaimed catalogue through labels such as R&S, Peacefrog, Delsin and Ubiquity. That broad musical history echoes throughout this new project, where deep house foundations meet global rhythms with trademark elegance.
Now, he helms the eleventh installment in Phuture Shock's beloved 'DUBZ' series. The masterfully crafted two-track package perfectly leans into familiar Balearic territory while keeping the genre-bending spirit of both the artist and the label alive. It proves once again that his highly melodic, emotive signature style remains as sharp and consistent as ever. Side A delivers the title track, serving up a breezy, cowbell-laden slab of Detroit house beaming with soulful warmth. Its lively percussive patterns, dubby low end, and flickering keys will instantly transport you to the balmy heights of summer. On the flip side, "Piragua" completely switches the mood to an altogether downtempo affair. This summer night bliss features a beautiful sprinkling of Afro-Latin and West Coast flavors. It effortlessly blends shuffling samba percussion with low-slung hip-hop beats. Complete with jazzy piano chords and atmospheric ocean waves, it is a brilliantly smooth mix of Brazilian saudade and pure Motor City swagger. Some records feel like they arrive carrying their own sort of weather. That is the case of Coquito, now available on vinyl.