Since its inception way back in 1994, the likes of Moodymann, Carl Craig, Laurent Garnier, and Masters At Work - to Ame & Dixon, Henrik Schwarz and Kruder & Dorfmeister - have contributed to Compost Records in some way. With more artists now onboard than you can shake a drumstick at, Michael Reinboth’s label is an endless source for some of the best disco-centric house music, nu-jazz and broken beat out there. With the odd Baeleric and hip hop release too, Compost’s enviable back catalogue also boasts the likes of John Daly and Ripperton (as Headless Ghost) to groups just outside the dancefloor in Automat and Web Web. And with sub-labels like Compost Black and Compost Disco there to service more club-oriented tracks and specific disco fixes - Compost has you covered.
Review: Barcelona-based Arnau Obiols has chalked up releases on such respected labels as Local Talk, Ibadan and Compost, and now returns to the latter in the company of Zurich's KAYYAK. Together they serve up two tracks that draw heavily on 70s Afro-funk for inspiration, with 'Faith' coming with a slightly mellower remix courtesy of Medlar & Dele Sosimi while 'San Diago' gets two rerubs, with Rahaan giving the track a slightly jazzier, more leftfield makeover while Prins Thomas's Diskomix transforms it into a slab of percussive, slo-mo disco. Any/all should go down well on floors where Afro-oriented beats are in demand.
Review: Automat's fifth album ignites a musical blaze with Heat. This offering from the Berlin-based band marks a departure from their previous works, embracing a more unified, warmer, and rounded sonic. The title-track seamlessly weaves together intimate dub, resonant basslines, intricate delays and some deep blue trip-hop alongside some velvety down-tempo ballads with, of course, some reggae and wax lyrical influences throughout. The album embodies a transformative process, not just in its lineup changes, but in the newfound energy and passion it exudes. With the addition of keyboardist Max Loderbauer, producer Ingo Krauss, and the brilliant contributions of Scott Montieth (Deadbeat), singer Barbie Williams, and guest vocalists Gemma Ray, Prince Alla, and R Zee Jackson - Automat's evolution is nothing short of stunning, making Heat a beautifully crafted opus that runs like a finely tuned machine.
Review: Late last year, Compost released a brilliant collaborative single from fellow Montreal deep house veterans, Fred Everything and Trevor Walker. This speedy sequel, which features vocals from Diabel Cissokho, is arguably even better. In its original form (track one), 'Kafoiye' is a futuristic take on Afro-house/deep house fusion topped off by a fine lead vocal. Art of Tones re-casts it as a Fela Kuti/Tony Allen style Afrobeat burner - all loose-limbed polyrhythmic drums and hazy horns - on his superb 'remix' and 'dub' versions, both of which are little less than sensational. Also included on a strong package are a percussive, sub-heavy 'Bonus Dub', a starry instrumental mix and a gorgeous, sunrise-ready 'Reprise' mix that strips out most (but not all) of the beats.
Review: To celebrate the 12th birthday of their Compost Disco sub-label, Compost Records has offered up two compilations packed to the rafters with previously unheard treats and much-loved gems from the vaults. Volume one (available separately) is excellent and this second instalment is every bit as alluring. It begins with the bubbly, synth-laden nu-disco cheeriness of Moodrama's remix of Ed Lee and vocalist Alison David's 'I Am Someone' and ends with the loose-limbed krautrock/swamp funk/organic house fusion of Kalabrese's rework of 'Go Back' by Thomasz Guiddo and Nirosta Steel. Highlights sandwiched in between include the woozy, analogue-rich haze of Mark E's 'I'm Your Eversion', the late-night disco/proto-house hypnotism of 'Disco (Ah Ha)' by Chocolate Garage Productions and the Balearic boogie sunniness of Clavis's 'Aviaco'.
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