reviewed by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Kompakt’s annual compilation series rolls on, but on hitting the coming of age number the Cologne label have decided to put it on a diet. Slimmed down to a single disc / four sides of vinyl, it is a leaner beast but still packs in 13 tracks that cast the net across the label’s output.

Seasoned Kompakt regulars such as John Tejada, Jürgen Paape, Voigt & Voigt, Gui Boratto and label founder Michael Mayer rub shoulders with new talent to these pages – Kollmorgen, The Bionaut and Nicky Elisabeth.

What’s the music like?

Kompakt’s approach to techno is always pleasingly varied, and this set of tracks spreads itself nicely across the tempo and emotional spectrum. It doesn’t take long for us to be transported to warmer climes in the company of Jürgen Paape, whose La Guitarra Romantica is dreamy and exotic. The same words could apply to Roman Flügel’s remix of Nicky Elisabeth’s Celeste, though in truth this is a magical piece of work, beautifully floated above the deep beats.

“I Am A Dancer!”, proclaims the track from Marc Romboy & C.A.R. of the same name, an assertive piece of work shaking its booty from the off, while Jonathan Kaspar’s Von Draussen also hits the tougher spot with its rolling drum track. John Tejada contributes some typically thoughtful and nicely woven techno on Spectral Progressions, while Voigt & Voigt do similar with darker shades on Nicht Mein Job.

Michael Mayer’s contribution Happy plays around with spatial effects rather well, as does Sascha Funke’s Fasson, working in a nice broken beat and airy synths for good measure.

Does it all work?

It does. The decision to slim down to a CD’s worth of tracks pays off – not that the previous Total series instalments were overlong – but it works well because it brings the focus in to some really good compositions. The Kompakt catalogue is still in good shape, it would seem!

Is it recommended?

It is indeed. One for the seasoned Kompakt fans, but also an effective introduction to the label if you’re late to their recent output.

Stream

Buy

reviewed by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Twenty years undefeated, Kompakt‘s annual round-up is a valuable line in the sand for lovers of their brand of quality electronic music and techno. It comes with a defiant message in what has been a difficult summer for dance music. ‘Music is our oxygen. We’ll dance together soon’.

What’s the music like?

Why change a winning formula? There are 23 tracks here from the Kompakt stable, bringing together established and new artists, adding a slew of exclusives and unreleased tracks, but still standing strong as a statement of what the Cologne label do best.

Style-wise there is something for everyone here, from the slower jam of Silicone‘s remix of Weval‘s Doesn’t Do Anything to the driving, sharp-edged textures of Marc Romboy‘s Stalker. Most of the cuts are instrumental but there are a couple of notable exceptions. Kiwi‘s Hello Echo is a nice disco-house cut in the spirit of The Juan MacLean, Bestley providing the excellent vocals, while Kölsch‘s urgent Remind You strikes a more paranoid tone.

Label head Michael Mayer contributes the nocturnal Agita, while Jonathan Kaspar‘s Licht is a really good combination of warm textures and bleeps. Jörg Burger‘s Surprise Yourself! is a classy affair, with rippling synth lines, while the rolling contours of Lose Control by David Douglas also impress. Best of all though is a rich piece of techno from Steve Moore, his soundtrack setting credentials coming to the fore in the superb Frame Dragging, a really good blend of urgency and warmth.

All this takes place alongside fine contributions from label staples Robag Wruhme, Jürgen Paape, Sascha Funke and Voigt & Voigt – not to mention strong stuff from Yotam Avni and the lively Blush from Christian Nielsen.

Does it all work?

Yes. This sort of compilation series might seem like a dying breed but Kompakt’s Total series works so well because of its variety, quality and new content, satisfying fans and newcomers alike.

Is it recommended?

Definitely. It is to be hoped the annual late summer appearance of the Total compilation will continue well beyond its twentieth year, for its regular slot in the calendar guarantees a new clutch of excellent electronic music. Listeners to the previous 19 will not be disappointed!

Stream

Buy

reviewed by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Cologne label Kompakt is one of the cornerstones of electronic music and techno. Around this time every year they dip in to the catalogue for a Total collection of exclusives, an annual occurrence for nearly two decades now – and as important as it ever has been for main man Michael Mayer, who oversees this selection.

He goes for a mixture of old and new, established and just setting out – all offering a rich variety of nearly three hours’ music. The aim, as Mayer says, it to ‘reinforce the bond between artists and listeners. They’re like your favourite restaurant round the corner’.

What’s the music like?

Mayer serves up plenty on the Kompakt menu. The first act of the double concentrates on the label’s staple acts, the likes of Jürgen Paape, Jörg Burger and Voigt & Voigt, the brothers delivering reliably strong techno.

Perhaps the two best tracks of the first part are Tom Demac’s Serenade, a really broad and lovely piece of piano-led, richly textured electronica – and the Albert Luxus track In Den Arm Bitte!, remixed with warm colours by Julian Stetter. DJ Balduin’s expansive E.W.B.A. is a fine piece of work, broken beats and big textures. Rex The Dog’s Vortex makes a strong impression too, as does Jonathan Kaspar’s fluid effort Renard.

Arguably it is the second part of newer material that makes the stronger impression, though it does get a bit more samey with its monotone minimal tracks towards the end. Fahrland makes an especially good contribution with Yesterday, darkly dramatic and with elements of Chicago house from Mz Sunday Luv, while the growling lower end bass of Extrawelt’s Pink Panzer gets the complement of some extra acidic tweaking up top. Patrice Baumel gives attitude with Grace, ANNA lets loose at the sharp end of techno with Remembrance, while Raxon proves a driving force with Dark Light.

Does it all work?

In the majority, yes. From the warmth and vulnerability of Weval’s opening track Are You Even Real to the final flourish of Gui Boratto’s 618, via the Kölsch mixing desk, this is a set of tracks that Mayer has clearly spent some time over. The high level watermark remains.

Is it recommended?

Yes – Kompakt are still on their game on this release, and the appearance of Total in the calendar is a reassuring reminder that their high quality thresholds are unlikely to dip any time soon.

Stream

Buy