by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

The end of summer brings one of those reassuring points in the Kompakt calendar, the annual release of their Total compilation. Once again it draws a line in the sand to bring us a snapshot of the music the Cologne label’s artists have been making over the last year, while throwing in the gratefully accepted new versions and rarities that we collectors treasure.

What’s the music like?

Very good indeed. While techno is the broad area where the 13 tracks lie, the range of the music runs from soulful introspection to peak time euphoria (aka Rex The Dog)

The collection begins with the subtle shades of Kollmorgen‘s Muddy. After that, Argia’s No Concept is quite stark but movingly so, before the confident poise of Jürgen Paape makes itself known. Talmi is a cracker, brooding and bristling over a strong four to the floor beat. The cinematic dance is suitably nocturnal. Four Down is classy, while Jon Tejada offers a lovely heat soaked number on Wild Ride. Rex tge Dog an excellent vocal number with its hook take away my sorrow and this pain. Hardt Antoine’s All We See sends tracers out into the night

Does it all work?

It does. Kompakt are well-versed in compilations of this sort, so there is no reason the 23^rd instalment should be any different! It has a very satisfying ebb and flow, played out to a nocturnal background.

Is it recommended?

It is – a consistently good guide to where the label is at musically right now.

It is – typically thought provoking work from one of Britain’s finest electronicmusic makers.

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