Kenneth James Gibson - "Disinclined To Vacate" - (6:32) 106 BPM
Wurden - "Panorama" - (6:50) 100 BPM
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.
Review: Having reached its seventeenth volume, the Total series is making its transition from adolescence into adulthood, but it has lost none of its youthful charms. Like previous editions, it features highlights from the German label's recent releases - including anthems from Laurent Garnier and The Orb - alongside some new gems. The latter category sees Thomas/Mayer deliver the tripped out, acid playfulness of "25", while Kompakt regular Superpitcher chimes in with the angelic vocals and skipping groove of "In My Head". Speaking of otherworldly moments, Jurgen Paape's "Always Disko" is a spaced out disco track from another dimension. Trends and fads come and go, but Kompakt will forever remain a constant, defined by its Total series.
Review: As sure as night follows day, every year Kompakt releases an installment of the Total series. Now at its sixteenth volume, the compilation still manages to bring together the best bits from the Cologne label's catalogue. From the dreamy textures and spiky off rhythms of Kaytlin Aurelia Smith's take on The Field's "Reflecting Lights" to the woozy vocals and pitter pattering break beats on Weval's "I Donat Need It" to the stripped back but evocative house of Patrice Baumel's take on Blond:ish's "Endless Games" and the throbbing techno reshape of Coma's "Lora", the full range of the Kompakt emotional spectrum is audible here.
Review: The longevity of Alex Patterson's Orb project never ceases to amaze. While the ambient outfit has gone through many changes since making its debut in 1989 - longtime production partner Thomas Fehlmann being the man at the controls these days - Patterson shows little sign of wanting to call it a day. Here the duo delivers their 21st album, returning to the stargazing obsessions that have served them so well over the years. Consisting of four typically epic workouts, Moonbuilding 2703 AD doffs a cap to many of their obsessions of recent years - hypnotic Berlin techno, classic ambience, woozy tech-house and dub, primarily - with the jazz-funk-meets-ambient dub flex of the title track standing out.
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