Compost Germany At Juno Download

Review: Raised on '80s electro-funk from the likes of D-Train and The Whispers, German producer and former DMC champ Pitchben has brought all of his influences together nicely on this debut album. From the low slung funk of "Keep Giving Me Love", the Daft Punk-flavoured "Friday Night" and the Biggie sampling "Time Machine", this is definitely one for fans of old-school electro soul as well as polished new-jacks like Chromeo.

Review: After the success of the first volume of Compost's Jazz Selection, Dutch DJ's Rupert & Mennert have dug back into the archives to compile this excellent follow-up. They've surfaced with some serious gems - Marbert Rocel's "Love Me" in particular is an absolute diamond of a song, with such a lyrical bassline and a soul-enhancing organ and vocals combo that could easily charm the paint off the walls. Elsewhere, more modern bop comes courtesy of Salvador Group's jazz-drum fest "Crosswinds" while Mystefy's "Eye Candy" demonstrates true mastery of a laidback piano style not heard since Ramsey Lewis.

Review: London producer Joash brings a really charming, almost cinematic quality to this new album on Compost. From the inspiring strings of intro track "The First Cause", you're treated to an orchestral marriage of broken beat and funk - have a listen to Juno Download favourite "Bleed" to get where we're coming from. A heady mix of styles runs through the album; "This Beautiful Machine" is jazzy and broody, while "Mission" (featuring Reptile dropping verses) almost creates its own genre: chamber hip-hop.

Review: While Compost's house-centric Black Label imprint may have lost some of its shine in recent times, owner Michael Reinboth can usually be relied upon to unearth a few sparkling gems now and then. This EP from DJ Le Roi is one such precious stone. It's full of classic, upbeat deep house cuts that balance warm, weighty grooves with a high degree of musical ambition. Check the subtle strings, cosy chords and chopped-up horns of "Soller", the spine-tingling piano riffery of the title track or the cowbells and 303 bass thump of "Lampa" - all have a timeless quality so often missing from contemporary deep house.

Review: The range of funky nuggets at Florian Keller's disposal is quite extraordinary. Off the back of his "Party Keller" club night in Munich, he's made a name for himself as a peerless selector of old and new funk and boogie across Europe. But this compilation on Compost really pushes the boat out -a staggering collection of rarities that will instantly become firm favourites in your collection. The slow proto-rap of Peter Giger's "Here Come The Family" kicks off the compilation in style -a head-nodding beat embellished with a variety of percussion sounds from the Swiss legend -everything from steel drums to thumb pianos. Some incredible covers dominate this mix though -two from Gino Dentie -namely his version of B.T. Express' "Express" and a remake of Brass Construction's epic "Movin'". Keller also keeps an unlikely version of a classic staple of funk fans for the last tune -an acoustic-led vamp around Archie Bell and The Drells' "Tighten Up" by psych-rockers The Nazz. It's a fittingly fun end to a collection that's stuffed to the gills with rare yet rewarding funk both new and old.

Review: Dutch production duo TJ Kong and Nuno Dos Santos will drop their debut album, the whimsically entitled After Dark, My Sweet, later this month. As a precursor to that release, Compost Black have unleashed an EP of remixes of album track, "Where Were You" from the duo themselves and close friend Kirk Degiorgio. TJ Kong and Nuno Dos Santos keep the focus on the dancefloor in their techno dub and instrumental versions whereas Kirk Degiorgio goes even deeper on his, adding yet more warmth and emotion to the track.

Review: Compost Black Label, Compost Records' house and tech house sub-label release the fourth volume in its mix series. Again compiled and mixed by one of the imprint's newest acts, Volume 4 aims to represent the sound of the label right now. This time, rising star Show B is on hand to guide us through the sounds and moods of the Compost Black Label Series via 16 tracks that feature the likes of Peter Kruder, Solomun, Tiefschwarz and Jay Shepherd.

Mathias Shober, known to you and me as Harry Klein resident Show B, only made his debut last year but has quickly forged a sound that has won him favour amongst DJs, clubbers and the press alike. The perfect man to take us on this journey of the label, he currently runs the weekly Compost Black Label Sessions radio show with Thomas Herb. His skills as a DJ are well known too, but he kicks off this compilation with an exclusive of his new track, "Jammin." It sets the record away with some slow, deep and groovy house music before Jay Shepherd takes us into a more reflective and emotive mood with his remix of "Merging." Solomun hits a vintage sound with his glimmering "Somebody's Story," Afrilounge find a delightfully dubby sentiment on their remix of Shahrokh Sound Of K?s "Letting You Go" and sheer club moments come from Peter Kruder's "Before Night Falls," Roberto Rodriguez?s deep epic "Too Late" and Tiefschwarz's remix of Turntablerocker.

This instalment of the series showcases the label?s sound through one of its most promising producers. From moody, late night house, funky percussion, jacking beats, jazzy chords and deep bass, Show B captures the colour, soul and depth that the Berlin label has typified since its conception.

Review: Croatian duo Eddy Meets Yannah bring the Adriatic sound to future soul jazz on Fiction Jar. Brought to us by Germany?s Compost Records, a label so established that they now reach their 340th release, this album does not disappoint.

A long standing outfit, Eddy Meets Yannah is made up of Eddy Ramich and Yannah Valdevit. Eddy handles the production side of things whilst Yannah is the songwriter and then vocalist. Almost three years after their last release, Once In a While, the duo are set to return with Fiction Jar. Offering more of the kind of funky and soulful jazz tinged house music that got them noticed in the first place, Eddy Meets Yannah are not losing their touch when it comes to making catchy full length albums. Featuring beat-friendly jazz productions and light hearted vocal melodies throughout, the album remains largely accessible, appealing to a broad range of musical tastes. Featuring artists such as Zed Bias, Capitol A and Ras T Weed keeps the album sounding fresh by adding other influences whilst keeping the staple Eddy Meets Yannah sound. With Fiction Jar, the duo offer a cheerful fusion of sophisticated soul, urban beats, future jazz and plush R'n'B harmonies. A fine selection of tracks that give an overview of Eddy Meets Yannah as a whole, Fiction Jar is a melting pot of sounds and musical styles all rolled into one effervescent album