Review: Cologne's Kompakt label requires no introductions, so we'll stick to our words and leave it at that. They do, however, like to release a diverse and immersive variety of electronic music, and this latest comp, Pop Ambient 2018, taps into the sort of mood that's occurring throughout our society. Kompakt have always been good at reflecting what is happening to people, music and situations, with this new compilation executing that better than ever before. Each artist and each tune on here manages to offer experimentation and interpretation while still grasping at something that will appeal to the contemporary listener. No sound is out of shape, nothing is gratuitous. What's more, among the many excellent waves of beat-driven ambient flexing, you even get an appearance from the legendary Orb. This is one that will be remembered.
Deadbeat - "For Whom The Bell Tolls" - (6:46) 128 BPM
Review: Kenneth Christiansen's revered dub techno institution celebrates fifteen years of trusted innovation on this superb compilation showcasing the label's esteemed roster of legends. Starting out with the always impressive Stephan Laubner aka STL who surprises as always; this time with the haunting yet bittersweet ambient journey "The Ancient Scale". There's more from masters of the old school such as German producer Arovane and his broken low end theory on "Struktur 1", the deeply rooted resonations of XDB's "Latonal" and Fachwerk main man Mike Dehnert's Maurizio inspired "Track Providing Home" being one of our highlights.
Review: Well it's that time of the year again. Wolfgang Voight compiles the best in ambient for his beloved label and it's more of the same high calibre ambient excursions you'd expect, like in previous editions. Starting off in truly breathtaking fashion with Stephan Matieu's "April Im Oktober", we're then treated to some new material by British icons The Orb, who present us with "Alpine Dawn" further testament to their otherworldly sense for sound. Label mainstay Mikkel Metal appears also with the sombre yet mesmerising cathedral drone of "Titan", as does Leandro Fresco, twice in fact. With both his sublime remix of Dave DK's "Veira" and his own "Configuracion de Atequa" featuring gorgeously uplifting tones reminiscent of old Gas material. Speaking of which, Voight himself appears with his mindblowing "Ruckverzauberung" from 2012 getting a brilliant modern revision by Thore Pfeiffer. Yet again, it goes without saying; this is essential listening.
Review: Kenneth Christiansen's label celebrates its tenth year in business without any fuss or the whiff of the understated marketing campaigns that underpin some of Echocord's peers. Indeed, it is reasonable to say that the key to the Danish imprint's longevity has been to focus on the deeper, dubbier side of techno, without worrying too much about what all around them are doing. Put simply, Echocord was releasing textured techno for the head and the floor before and after it was trendy to do so. Unsurprisingly, the Echocord Jubilee Compilation manages to capture these two spheres. It opens with the ethereal, wistful "Tides" by Fluxion, which slides into the shantying "My Safe Harbour" by Quantec. By the time that Deadbeat's contribution appears, the tempo has gradually gone up thanks to the Canadian's trademark tribal drums and Onmutu Mechanicks's contribution turns the mood slightly more menacing as "Calyx" marches to the beat of metallic drums and teems with foreboding chords. This being Echocord however, reflective and evocative sensibilities are never too far away, and Luke Hess's "Kratos", although based on clipped drums, boasts breathy, shimmering melodies. Christiansen also proves that he has a keen ear for potential crossover tracks, and Intrusion/Echospace producer Stephen Hitchell's "Fox Convextion", with its pulsing bassline and uplifting hooks, could propel this label into the spotlight that so many lesser, hype-driven labels occupy.
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