Not many bands, especially those from the famously fickle world of late 90s crossover dance music, can claim that their first single is still receiving compilation requests and being regularly played out seven years after its release. Dutch trio The Sunclub released "Fiësta", a sultry, housy, vibey tune with a devilishly catchy latino lilt, in 1997. And yes, seven Summers on the track is still appearing on compilations and is very much in evidence on an awful lot of dancefloors (amongst the various mixes Jaydee's "Forrest Dream Mix" is still the undisputed champion).

Speaking to Atbe, one of the trio of producers that are The Sunclub, it rapidly becomes apparent that "Fiësta" was not a one-off, or a lucky find. The component parts of The Sunclub have their hands firmly planted on the steering wheel of their collective career. "Their seconde album "Splash" was made to appeal both to us and our record label," says Atbe, "because we need each other."
Wise words from Atbe, who, alongside fellow producers Typar and Jaydee (the latter of "Plastic Dreams" fame) has just finished working on the aforementioned second long player. The funny thing is that, although this is a most definitely a dance album, the longest track clocks in at a mere 4' 26". So, no three minute intros and equally long outros. Just tight, well organised tunes, snappy rhythms and lush textures. A similarly disciplined approach to that of first album 'Fiësta' in fact. Commenting on the economical approach of the 1997 release Jaydee pointed out at the time:
"This is the first [dance] album that you can play at a barbecue without your guests getting bored and without worrying about skipping tracks."
The same methodology having been applied to "Splash" the album comes across like a veritable breath of fresh air. The tunes arrive like trains while grooves kick in without any hint of shyness. Mercifully then, harassed A&R people are unlikely to find themselves thinking 'get to the bloody point then'. "Radio needs the songs to be short and anyway," says Atbe, "it's important that dance/pop has that approach. It makes no sense for The Sunclub to be progressive, people don't want to pay for experimentation."

Atbe and his partner in production Typar have been widely hailed as being two of Holland's most promising young studio maestros. Since 1995 they have worked together under a clutch of aliases including The Dark Age, Casual Groove, The Rainmakers, D-Crew and Day After. Typar's talent as a DJ saw him become the youngest member of the DJ collective BVD, the same 'skool'
that produced Orlando Voorn and Patrick Prins.
Thanks to "Plastic Dreams" Jaydee needs little introduction to music lovers but his versatility may be less well-known. As a producer and the owner of The Dark Age studio and the label First Impressions Jaydee runs a team of six producers and, until 1996, was one of Holland's best known radio and TV presenters. He's also a pretty nifty DJ and it was he who thought up the name The Sunclub. Despite the fact that all three producers work under other names and indeed
do make much more risque material, The Sunclub is in effect a mass market brand name that should say 'POP' to the punters. "Making and listening to music is all about having fun," says Atbe. "We all have our own ways of working and even though we're consciously operating within a framework we really enjoy ourselves in the studio." Atbe cites a mish mash of musical influences that go some way to explaining the honed and polished sound of The Sunclub. "I started in cover bands," he says, "which is a great way to learn the rules." Let's face it, there are
only so many good ideas in the world and sooner or later a musician is going to have to admit that they are carrying on a tradition rather than being screamingly original The Sunclub have made an art of the art of compromise and in the process have created thoroughly modern, honest to goodness pop. And absolutely everyone loves good pop.