House Vinyl New Releases - News

Plaisir Records is coming back with his brand new Vinyl only release : PLA006/VA01 !

This Various EP combines the essence of Plaisir Records sound with talented artists: Aliash aka ali Moghrani & Giash, Kaitaro, Friedrich Becker, Bowyer.

Grow returns with the record Isotelus Rex by Denis Kaznacheev, complete with a remix by Daze Maxim. The title track Isotelus Rex, a 14 minute work, true to grow's eccentric nature, a track at once playful and deeply neurally stimulating, sure to shake one's body and intrigue one's mind. Wonderful decaying tones, subtly jazzy, intricate electronic communications interrelate over an irresistible bass and percussive performance, a groove which will make your swing. B1 is Daze Maxim's remix, with a more ethereal approach to Isotelus Rex, it begins through a beautiful synth. Then grows a fast and intricate bass arrangement, providing a confidently vibed way though the cosmic landscape, also another great track for the dance floor, as the same physical swing as in original is felt strong. B2 Proetida, the second original work by Denis Kaznacheev of the release, is of raw, almost rude, attitude, a strong bass descends in steps, a determined momentum, the driving force of an industrious process.

Who said that da new Long player must consist by Intros, Outros and Off-Tracks – that all lies in the eye of the beholder and depends on his perspective. It must be honest and has to odd pictures in the heads. DOMPE succeeded that in a perfect way. At the beginning of May, he will release his latest album named HIPPIE CRACK on his own Label JACKRUIT RECORDINGS.

HIPPIE CRACK – music is our drug – it makes us happy and gives us the chance to flee from the gray and ordinary daily routine. These 12 Tracks are highly addictively. Close your eyes, dance and time can be forgotten. Back to the roots – back to good old house music tunes, simple but not easy produced. The DOMPE Style has not to be described on more details; Again, and again full of different facets. These tracks are as always full of summer vibes und carried by lots of samples with plenty of old-school-sounds.

All tracks from the Album tell a story, can be listen to at home or also in the club. It starts with love and full of harmony, before it changes the chill mood the clubbing sounds. All in all, the complete package is very atmospheric. Like a good gig the sounds it goes harder step by step and at its best it comes to an end.

From the front till the back a project with a high intention – one of DOMPES heart wishes was a cover designed by BRINGMANN & KOPETZKI. The result is a perfect comic version of DOMPE and that's a banger. So, HIPPIE CRACK isn't only a musically hot shit, but also a visual highlight.

We come back again with a big record from Julenn with 2 original tracks and 2 remixes from the boy of the moment Chris Stussy and our good friend and master Dexter Kane..
Vinyl Only Release / Limited

Vinyl only!

Sascha Dive presents mutualism between the deep vibes of dub techno and Detroit inspired
productions. The title track "Jet Black" features vocals of the Chicago house legend Robert Owens.

George FitzGerald and Lil Silva proudly present OTHERLiiNE and the debut track Chimes, out now. OTHERLiiNE is a musical partnership that began accidentally. A glorious voice that was only gradually - reluctantly, even - revealed. It’s a forthcoming set of songs that developed lives of their own. An instinctive musical connection between a pair of producers that inspired a suite of tracks to form this magical world.

Second release on 10YEARS, by Parallax Deep. 3 original cuts by Parallax Deep + Per Hammar remix. 250 copies hand stamped 12" vinyl only release.

Super Flu want to make you sweat: Their new track Really Really is an intense fusion of glistening chords, catchy ethno vocal samples and an organically sparkling groove born in the depth of night. A heavy arpeggio, smooth textures, and stimulating highlights tickle the senses and mercilessly push the heart rate to new heights. Next up, Pantura feat She-Ra dances euphorically all while standing knee-deep in pure melody. At the same time, a voluminous synth embraces hypnotic sounds from East Asia, its way to the climax trimmed with delightful breaks.

Slices Of Life celebrates the 10th release with a two-part vinyl compilation: SOL10.1 and SOL10.2!

For the 10th release label owner Barbara Preisinger is gathering seven unreleased tracks on two seperate 12inches, by previous Slices Of Life artists as well by producers who have a relationship to the label through frindship, events and personal support.

Each track presents the personal unique style of it´s producer, but all have a feeling for warm sounding organic house grooves in common, what Slices Of Life stands for since the beginnings in 2009.

On the first 12inch, SOL10.1 THE MOLE, BAAZ and JOHN TEJADA excite us with an extension of their previous Slices Of Life repertoire with 3 further timeless pieces of House Music: Trippy and soulful ('Come On Kid'), deep and percussive ('Fitzy'), minimal and playful ('How I used To'). DANA RUH celebrates her debut at Slices Of Life with 'Out of ADA20': an upbuilding sunrise track carried by a driving beat and thrilling string lines.

November 9th 2018 the 2nd part, SOL10.2 will follow with exclusive tracks by DJ DEEP, CAB DRIVERS und OSCAR SCHUBAQ.

Toby Dreher makes Techno spark, Turns your mind into an amusement park. Mechanical like a machine, yet organic like a flower, This record will charge your dancing feet with unknown power.

Vinyl Only.Ltd to 300. The Inhale Exhale Posse bringing it back with the 5th strike of the Germany based House Label. Its V/A time again. This six track collage brings you from funky disco edits, over strong baselines and pitched vocals with atmospheric synths to old school jackin´house with a bliss of slower deep house in the end. this diversified vinyl keeps the inex style like the guys started. Hands down ! this one is a bomb !

Re-mastered and re-pressed, Axel Boman's classic EP for Hypercolour is made available again, three years on from its original release. Hailing from Sweden, Axel Boman has ascended through the ranks over these last few years, from his first productions on the Swedish label Ourvision Recordings, to releases for Mule Muziq, DJ Koze's Pampa Records, Pets Recordings and his own Studio Barnhus imprint. Boman has carved out a steady and loyal reputation for his DJ and production skills, collaborating also with John Talabot for the killer Talaboman project that has served up some highly memorable DJ sets and a 2014 single, 'Sideral'. The 'Black Magic Boman' EP was Boman's 2013 offering on Hypercolour, and a release that's since gone down as a leftfield house must have'. Long out of press, the re-release revisits the four tracks of sheer quality across the two sides. Television People' is built around minimal percussion, a rubbery synth line that echoes the best of Matthew Johnson's productions, and a distant spoken word vocal delivery. Spooky, early morning vibes, and one of the favourites from this EP. Cubic Mouth' goes deeper into the melodies, with a distorted mallet riff over some supernatural and spellbinding drums & FX. Look What You've Done To Me' continues with the graceful house sounds, layering and filtering ethereal piano samples and searing synths over a sparse percussive workout. And Klinsmann' wraps things in fine style with more highly infectious melodies and soft kicks, bouncing claps and earworm bassline.

Fifth in the Mutant City Acid series. Four more takes on acid from different angles.

Cardopusher opens proceedings with machine-driven EBM acid, then Steven Simpson (of 10PillsMate fame) channels analogue classic Chicago house styles. On the flipside, Matt Whitehead brings the 90’s UK rave energy, while Sankey’s resident Jozef K closes the EP with deep, lush, melodic acid. Pre-orders sold out 200 copies of this in less than 90 minutes, the last few copies won’t stick about. Don’t sleep.

Bicep continue to develop their Feel My Bicep imprint and follow up releases from Hammer, 808 State and Cromby with a 12" from a fresh signee: James Shinra.

With over 10 years experience in releasing music, James is an artist with a broad sound palette - evinced clearly in his 2018 LP 'Vital Heat' within which he astutely turned his hand to everything from 'laid back piano pieces to frenetic breakbeat workouts'.

Having also previously remixed Kiwi duo Sandboards on FMB008 he now captures a distinctly Feel My Bicep tone in bringing together 2 impassioned tracks suffused with 80's character. Cleverly structured and melodically complex, they showcase his skilful synth-work perfectly.

Also included is a robust interpretation of Arc from 50Weapons and R&S affiliate Benjamin Damage as well as a balmy remix of Signs from the legendary John Beltran fresh from his Placid Angles album earlier this year.

Hamburg-based Mireia Records is ecstatic toannounce their thirteenth release: Julian Stetter’s “Sensual EP”.
You’ve probably crossed paths with Julian in thelast couple of years. Not only because he’s the tallest guy in Cologne, but the producer and DJ has been actively shaping modern dance music
with his flourishing, melancholic sound. He’s been releasing music with Permanent Vacation, Kompakt, Correspondent and hometown labels Ancient Future Now and PNN.

It’s also not his first time on Mireia Records. Remember the beautiful “Porto” on “We’ll Sea
Pt.1?” Here, Julian presents two original tracks which are reinterpreted by SONNS and Matt
Karmil.
The title track “ Sensual ” manages to erase the mundane, the world’s vanishing around you.
It’s pitched shaker and airy bells evoke introspective tones. The bassline on the other hand
keep you steady - the dancefloor is still visible through the clouds!
“ Rumors ” picks up the pace. Kick drum and syncopated hi-hats set the stage for a serious
bassline, interwoven with fleeting melodies.
Bright and euphoric brushstrokes from Julian’s synth elevate the pace and catapult the track
towards a crescendo. Booming snares signal the peak.
New Release Information
Strobe lights, sweat and ecstasy.
SONNS opens up the B side with the first remix by whispering “ Rumors ” in your ear. A
brooding bass line takes you on a trip to the dark corners of the city. Hypnotically chugging
toms highlight the sights. Let’s get lost tonight!
With his releases on Kompakt and strong DJ Sets SONNS’ been a long time favored entrant
into Mireia Record’s catalogue.
Matt Karmil’s version of 'Sensual', although on B2 of the vinyl, doesn’t hide its assets.
Kicking off with frantic high hats and a distorted glitch, he pushes the track forwards
intriguingly. Arpeggiated melodies layered supremely over the percussion drive the track
forwards, the simplicity of the track and sharp cuts and drops create an interesting dynamic
to the single creating a perfect juxtapose to the other tracks on the release.
Matt’s also been on Mireia’s radar for a long time. His atmospheric adventures for Studio
Barnhus, Smalltown Supersound or Beats in Space always convey a spirit of living, breathing
leeway.

Underground electronic music label Minimood celebrates ten years of existence with a special double 12" Vinyl Only release,

presenting finest dub infusions by Luke Hess & Sascha Dive, Delano Smith, Steve O'Sullivan, and Tobias.

Giorgia Angiuli's debut album Pink Bubble channels the artist's effervescent persona and own bubbly style in a 12 track-long, honest musical expression. Drawing inspiration from her first worldwide tour, where life on the road was impacted by personal loss, the album title Pink Bubble captures the essence of the artist's mindset, caught in between the artistic world and real life: 'I felt like in a pink bubble, between memories and new experiences, between darkness and colours". Brandishing an immersive sonic sphere, the classically trained musician played and recorded all instruments throughout the album, including her favourite weapons of choice, from her beloved 60's guitar to vintage analog synths like the Moog Sub37, Juno 106, the infamous O-B-6 synth and more. The synesthesia of dark and colourful with new and old memories stands at the core of the album, as introspective airy tracks intertwine with more dynamic, bass-heavy constructions. On its luminous side, we see cuts radiating with crystalline, microscoping sounds with sweeping ambience like the opener A Perfect Day in Tulum, leading the listener on a nervous path towards more obscure tracks such as Copenhagen and Nothing to Lose, until bringing the atmosphere to a boiling point. Music is Life encapsulates Giorgia's passion for her craft, an intrinsic part of her life that brings peace and inspiration: 'Music is life with wings, sit in the warm water, just reflecting, being". Creation and being inspired represent another major theme present throughout the album, both in the eponymous track Inspiration, as well as A Temple Made by Air, where the artist can be heard singing: 'Passion means satisfaction,

For the debut of his newfound label IPSO records, Ko¨lsch wanted to try something new. He has long been a fan of limiting himself in the studio. "Sometimes working with less equipment brings out the best in you, so for the first release I figured it would be interesting to experiment with this", Ko¨lsch says. Inspired by the Danish Dogma films, he decided to make a rule, and as he is not one for overdoing things, the rule is very simple.
"We are only allowed to use one instrument' "I reached out to my friend and all time hero Michael Mayer to do the first collab."
Other than being the co-founder of the mighty Kompakt records, and signing me in 2009, he is a genius in a dj booth and a great producer, He has always been a great inspiration to me, so we agreed to start my new Label with a bang', he adds.
Ko¨lsch set out the challenge, that Michael should choose the instrument.
"As I arrived in Cologne, Michael had chosen this old Yamaha Organ. Funny side note, is that it is actually Jo¨rg Burgers Organ. Jo¨rg is actually quiet the techno legend himself, but that is another story. We spent 1 day in the studio, and we had a blast. The outcome is 2 great pieces of music that i am very proud to share with you'.

CHIWAX welcomes MAP & DJ Haus to the Family! DJ Haus aka Rupert Cogan in the head of Uttu & Hot Haus Records. He released already on respected Clone Jack for Daze series, Crème Organization and of course on his won imprints to name a few. The new 3 tracker made together with MAP comes around in good Dance Mania style. Chicago House meets UK Garage - worth to check!

Charles Trees. Myth, tall tale, legend of a human being, one of those people who one minute you'll be scouring reddit for obscure content and the next, stepping on stage to casually DJ to thousands of people like “no big whoop” at a French music festival. Charles is unassuming, the kind of person who effortlessly mixes ghettotech into soul for lulz, who samples a speech (/rant) by Funkmaster Flex in an acid track, or rides BMG & Derek Plaslaiko’s “True Story of a Detroit Groove” with Velvet Underground’s “Sister Ray” for 8 minutes straight.

Charles' relationship with electronic music started early. In high school, Dave Shayman (Disco D) introduced Charles to DJing and he was a regular at Dubplate Pressure*– Todd Osborn's now-legendary record store in Ann Arbor. By 1998, he was already playing on raves in Detroit. A year later, he was the first person to show Zach Saginaw (Shigeto) to Ghostly International, arguably altering the course of our lives forever. In the late 2000s, they became label mates on Moodgadget, the record label of Jakub Alexander (Heathered Pearls).

Through out the years, Charles has been a musical mentor (whether DJing, producing or throwing shows) to many, danced at every weekly at every venue in Ann Arbor & Detroit, produced Hip Hop, and fronted a psych rock band. He has released music on Moodgadget (US), Musique Large (FR), Lovemonk (ES), Vanity Press (US) and JFX Lab (FR). Today, between DJing, hosting radio shows and producing new music, Charles regularly throws shows/parties/raves, and hosts a monthly at Deluxx Fluxx.

We love Charles Trees and we're proud to present "2019," the eighth record on Portage Garage Sounds.

*Additional reading: Dubplate Pressure: was the precursor to Technical Equipment Supply; how Todd Osborn was discovered by Richard D. James and signed to Rephlex Records; where Sam Valenti IV, the founder of Ghostly International, met Tadd Mullinix (Dabrye, JTC, Charles Manier, X-Altera); one of the reasons why we're all here

"Got No"
Hit the ground running.
Chopped up vocal stabs and a playful syncopated melody accompany this percussion heavy two-step shuffle as it speeds down the Lodge on a Friday night in Detroit.

"Think First"
Undeniable rhythm section pocket.
Acoustic bass and dirty ride symbols swing alongside lush keyboards and sprinkles of light melodicism in this psych house banger.
Think St. Germain with CAN playing a warped version of "Rose Rouge."

"In Arms"
Crave the rave. Whips crack and sizzle in this dubbed out techno slapper. A modern take on a classic sound. Trees conjures an era close to his heart: when the warehouse was church and service didn't stop until the sun came up.


"Acja feat. Marcus Elliot ("12 club mix)
Beautifully understated and triumphant.
This closer marks the return of Detroit Saxophonist Marcus Elliot (Detroit pt II - PGS 001). His notes dance and soar over a creeping acid line, while driving drums and warm pads effortlessly take you home in this powerful house anthem.

heavy hitting and groovy house four tracker with a special hint of breezy playfulness.

Collecting orders for repress

New quality label from Madrid! More info soon... 300 hand numbered copies.

Coloured Vinyl Only
The latest release from Serbia's Soul Print Recordings brings together the two L's, Leonid and Laak. Up first is Leonid on the A side with two tracks Urania 1 and 2, possibly named after the muse of astronomy, which makes sense, as both tracks have a cosmic feel about them. Urania 1 starts off with a nice string sound that permeates the space before the drums start to really take effect half way through. Urania 2 has a more house feel about it, with the acid bass line sitting nicely along the deep pads. Over to the b side and Laak takes control. Delving into late night territory with haunting layered leads & pads these tracks are typical quality by Laak. Featuring label artwork once again by fellow Serb, Bratislav Milenkovic and pressed on a beautiful sky blue, Yesterday For Tomorrow is a thing of aural and visual beauty.

Martin Eyerer is finally back on his main label and comes with a real biggie. 'Confident Journey' features no other than former Archive singer Craig Walker with his unique voice backed by Martin's epic production.

Berlin's Sascha Funke weighs in with a hard-hitting new four-tracker for Tiga's label. Hot off his comeback on Multi Culti, this latest EP for Turbo Recordings takes the hypnotic, progressive vibe and drives it a little bit harder, leaning into every snare with precise power, carefully administering tension over the duration of professionally-paced arrangements. Title-track 'IFA,' already a weapon in the crates of Funke-friends like Rebolledo, Michael Mayer and Tiga, sounds like the kind of peak-time party power you'd expect those dudes to pull out in the darker hours of their deepest sets, when the soundtrack calls for more than basic, visceral limb-pumping, but full disorientation, actual mind-losing. 'Robur' rolls out of that space with minimalistic-tribalism, sounding like a mental apocalyptic march, pushing forward with intractable force, an energy which eventually relents on 'MZ,' opening up dramatically with an epic chord progression that blooms into ecstatic, piano-house. Think 'old-school baby,' revisited with bittersweet self-awareness, taking us back to a place we know well, inspiring one last dance, accessing the naive rave-spirit all-too often forgotten in the 'industry'. Finally, 'Barkas' recalls the tones and timbres from 'In Relationen,' reflecting an emotionally placid state, a sound of radiant clarity, the sound of an artist at peace with his place in the cosmos, balancing past and future, energy and stillness, mind and body.

After showcasing his knack for emotive productions via various EPs throughout his career, including chart-topping singles on Hot Since 82's Knee Deep in Sound and Dave Seaman's Selador, the Swiss artist Several Definitions now reveals his first full-length album. It should come as no surprise that the artist found familiarity in what he calls the Berlin style' of electronic music and notably, that of Oliver Koletzki's Stil vor Talent. Reborn After The Road is an intense and emotional affair, consisting of 14 tracks crafted using field and live recordings, switching between analogue and digital to mould a sonic atmosphere that emblazons the artist's core ethos. Although the personal experience that sparked the inspiration for the LP is far from pleasant, Several Definitions' style is audibly resolute. Reborn After The Road, the album's eponymous track, creates a fitting intro for the healing process that is to follow. Its airy pads and majestic strings sonically stand at the epicenter of the expressive album. Several Definitions continues to explore these sounds on vaporous slices like Pontceard 32 or the more acidical Last Breath. The mellifluous, feminine vocals of LaMeduza on Learn To Feel and Her, as well as Spanish singer Goldsun's crooner talents on the introspective Trust, on the other hand, showcase Several Definitions' ability to work the human voice into his musical explorations. Taking introspection one step further towards darker realms, Senelity then feels like a rite of passage into the deeper and more intense segment at the album's core. Over You briefly signals a turning point, with its alarm-like synths and grave leads, which is then followed by the glitchy resistance on Modular Spaces. The Escape

Tiefschwarz are back again on Watergate with a dub version and three stellar remixes of 'Free Falling feat. Khan' from their recent and highly acclaimed album 'Left'. Kicking things off is Skream and he takes the original to new heights in true Skream fashion with vivid arpeggios and silky vocals laid over reverb heavy snares and driving percussion ideal for the more climactic dance floor scenarios. Up next is a man who needs no introduction: Acid Pauli. Already a legend in his own right, we last saw him on Watergate on the Peahen EP with MyMy and Lee Jones back in 2010 and now he's back with not one, but two incredible remixes. Both his 'Cloudbuster and Clouddiver Remix' are lush displays of melodic, yet driving takes on the original. Warm pads and pulsing bass create a swirling melodic journey on both with 'Cloudbuster' being the more pumping and 'Clouddiver' taking the deeper route giving you two foolproof options. Wrapping things up is Tiefschwarz' own dub version of 'Free Falling feat Khan' and with it they deliver a stripped down take of the original, yet keeping just a touch of the low slung, sleek vocals to make sure it still has the quintessential Tiefschwarz feel. Enjoy!

'By Your Side' is the second solo release of the year from Will Saul, it follows his spring 12 'Bugs' which gathered support from Gilles Peterson on his BBC 6 music show as well as Leon Vynehall, Midland & Deetron. Never content to sit still in one style or genre 'BYS' see's will exploring his love for electro, acid and tripped out left of center house. With more EP's on the horizon for the autumn we find an artist full of inspiration, elated to be back in the studio and enjoying his most fruitful production spell in recent history.

The Rotterdam duo back in form! 2 tracks of their own brand of harbourcity techno. TIP!

Juan MacLean and Man Power debut as Juan Power for Life and Death

Life and Death continue to serve up brilliantly unpredictable releases with a new one that brings together American DFA stalwart Juan MacLean with the UK’s Me Me Me label head Man Power, plus an edit from the boss, DJ Tennis.

Juan MacLean is a multi-faceted artist who has a history of everything from playing in post hardcore bands to producing some of DFA’s most celebrated releases. He does classy house bangers with synth pop and disco layers like no one else. Man Power, meanwhile, is someone who is fantastically eclectic in what he does on all fronts as a DJ, label boss and producer. He’s made corrugated acid, hands in the air house and machine disco and plenty in between on his own label, but also cult outlets like Correspondent and ESP Institute. The coming together of these two undoubted studio wizards, then, is a fascinating prospect.

And so it proves right from the off: opener ‘Crescendo’ is a nine minute masterpiece with rickety house drums making you move while the shuffling percussion builds the pressure. Gorgeously warm chords eventually join the fray and have a blissful effect that sets you off dreaming and keeps you in a trance until the end.

DJ Tennis himself then steps up with an edit of ‘Excuse Me Daddy’ that is deep and cavernous. Next to the suspensory pads is an intricate synth line that takes you in on yourself in perfectly melancholic ways.

Closer ‘Praise The Toad’ then picks up the pace with more live sounding drums and a sparkling lead synth that rises and falls to cosmic effect. Drawn out over the full length of the track, and in amongst some chattery claps and smart effects, it makes for a journey to the stars that will cast a real spell on all who hear it.

This is an innovative collaboration between two masters of their craft.

Final 12” to complete the trilogy from the prolific S.A.M.

2018 is going to see the bond between Khidja & Malka Tuti strengthen, with the Romanian duo bringing forward their eclectic, cross-genre approach to electronic music in the shape of 2 full releases as well as several remixes tba. "Plot" & "Am I Really Here" are two dance-floor bangers, not hiding behind fashions and hype, the duo is pushing forward on both tracks, each with its own idea and story to tell. This one continues Malka Tuti's 12' dance series perfectly, with both tracks being pressed on 45rpm and getting each its own side.

New low profile Uncage sublabel for everything house.

Silent Season is proud to present Segue's third full-length LP with the label. On his new album, Jordan Sauer explores a new facet of West Canadian natural history. Four thousand years ago, Western Canada's First Nations people migrated into the fjords and rainforests carved out by the retreating glaciation of the last Ice Age. The Island is a tribute to Canada's prehistory and the spiritual journey of a people entering a forever- altered landscape to call their home.

While Segue's last album very much explored a cross section journey of British Columbia from the mountains to the sea, The Island explores the hidden coastlines and inlets that pepper a still- mysterious landscape.

Throughout the album, each song spreads out beautifully as a reflection of the place or thing it's named after and paints a stunning portrait of BC's natural wealth. At first glance it seems like a tourist's guide, but when you listen deeper, The Island blossoms into something deeply personal and moving- a sonic imprint of places in relation to culture. One listen will put you right in the rainforests and mountains that the Coast Salish has called their home.

Ideas call for realisation, realisations turn into habits, habits then quickly turn into traditions, and traditions become an intrinsic part of culture. Born at the turn of the new millennium as a symbol of a new era for electronic music, Kompakt's longstanding TOTAL series returns with its 18th iteration, spreading over two CDs the essential of the label's last few months of intense activity and extended breadth of resources, blowing out its 25th birthday candle with the breath of a young, throbbing heart.

Introducing faces new and familiar, full-scale hits and criminally overlooked tunes, TOTAL 18 recollects glorious moments on the dancefloor and further intimate ones between friends, inviting the listener to flick through a family album marked with tracks as distant yet eerily close as Sonns highly sensual 'Tame' and John Tejada's propulsive 'Detector', Terranova's elegiac 'Let It Fail' and Rex The Dog's mind-altering 'Crasher' but also, and as usual, its lot of unreleased cuts - transcending the mere retrospective nature of the classic compilation format for a further complete core sampling of Kompakt's zeitgeist.

With a handful exclusive deliveries courtesy of label co-founder Jürgen Paape - here making a rare appearance with the humbly-titled opener 'Well It's Paape', &nd's one and only Aaron Ahrends with the nostalgic 'Eyes Closed', Tobias Thomas and Michael Mayer as Thomas/Mayer, Lebsanft & Raquet and the poetic synthesis of 'Signale', Cologne figure Jörg Burger on electro-punk- wave mode, minimal Danish talent Christian Nielsen and Voigt & Voigt for a session of left-of-centre techno, TOTAL 18 sweeps the spectrum back and forth, navigating from the deeper umbra onto the brighter shades seamlessly.

A wide-scope snapshot of the label's recent past, immediate present and near future, TOTAL 18 moves and shifts, from the power of dancefloor-oriented pieces such as Tom Demac & Real Lies' 'White Flowers' (here presented in its house version), Dixon's silky revamp of Vermont and Gui Boratto's euphoric club weapon 'Forgive Me' onto the funky electro pop flavours of Fahrland, cosmic dub-tech jazz of Ghost Vision and robot bounce of T. Raumschmiere's 'Augen Zu' for a whelming tour d'horizon. Kompakt's annual yearbook as seen through Michael Mayer's eyes, for your ears and pleasure. A collection of music to discover and rediscover.

"It's become such a nice tradition to put together TOTAL compilations. It feels a lot like going through one's photos at the end of the year. Memories come back to mind from moments when a particular track made its first impression on me or how the same track would become a highlight in my DJ sets at some point. Each track has a story to tell. Apart from the obvious big tunes, TOTAL's also bear room for the sleeper hits, those tracks that were criminally overlooked. With a bunch of new exclusive contributions thrown in the mix there's plenty to discover or rediscover. KOMPAKT's annual yearbook seen through my eyes for your ears and pleasure" - Michael Mayer

Ideen rufen nach Realisation, Realisationen werden zu Gewohnheiten, Gewohnheiten werden dann schnell zu Traditionen und Traditionen sind ein wesentlicher Bestandteil von Kultur. Initialisiert an der Schwelle des neuen Millenniums als Symbol für eine neue Ära elektronischer Musik, kehrt Kompakts langjährige TOTAL-Serie zum 18. Mal zurück. Das Wesentliche aus den letzten Monaten intensiver Labelarbeit und der Fülle an Material wird auf zwei CDs ausgebreitet und bläst nebenbei die Geburtstagskerzen zum 25. Labelbestehen aus - mit dem Atem aus jungen, starken Lungen.

Vorgestellt werden neue und bekannte Gesichter, kristallklare Hits und sträflich übersehende Tunes. TOTAL 18 erinnert an die Momente auf dem Dancefloor und die Gespräche danach, die den Hörer einladen durch ein Familien-Album zu blättern, das gefüllt ist mit Tracks so fern und schon unheimlich wie Sonns höchst sinnliches - Tame' und John Tejadas forttreibendes - Detector', Terranovas elegisches - Let It Fail' und Rex The Dogs bewusstseinsveränderndes - Crasher'; aber ebenso, und wie gewohnt, seinen zahlreichen unveröffentlichten Cuts - die bloße retrospektive Form des klassischen Compilation-Formats wird transzendiert, um den kompletten Zeitgeist Kompakts einzufangen.

Mit einer Handvoll exklusiver Beiträgen von Label-Mitbegründer Jürgen Paape (hier mit einem seltenen Auftritt in dem bescheiden betitelten Opener - Well, It's Paape'), &nds einzig wahrer Aaron Ahrends mit dem nostalgischen - Eyes Closed', Tobias Thomas und Michael Mayer als Thomas/Mayer, Lebsanft & Raquet und ihre poetische Synthese auf - Signale', Kölns Koryphäe in Sachen Electro-Punk und Wave Jörg Burger, Minimal-Talent Christian Nielsen aus Dänemark und Voigt & Voigt mit einer Techno-Session vom linken Flügel: TOTAL 18 grast das gesamte Spektrum ab, nahtlos von den tieferliegenden Kernregionen bis zu den helleren Plateaus.

Aufgenommen in der Totalen ist TOTAL 18 eine Momentaufnahme, die die jüngste Vergangenheit, unmittelbare Gegenwart und Nahe Zukunft des Labels einfängt und sich um die Kraft von am Dancefloor orientierenden Stücken wie Tom Demac & Real Lies "White Flowers" (hier in der House-Version) bewegt und wandelt. Mit Dixons seidig sanften Remix von Vermonts - Dschuna' und Gui Borattos euphorischer Club-Kanone - Forgive Me' bis zu den funky Elektro-Pop-Geschmäckern von Fahrland, dem kosmischen Dubtech-Jazz von Ghost Vision und dem Roboter-Bounce von T.Raumschieres - Augen Zu' sorgt TOTAL 18 für eine mitreißende Tour d'Horizon. Kompakts alljährliches Jahrbuch gesehen durch die Augen Michael Mayers, für die Ohren und Vergnügen von euch. Eine Sammlung von Musik zum entdecken und wiederentdecken.

"Es ist eine schöne Tradition geworden die TOTAL-Compilations zusammenzustellen. Es fühlt sich ganz so an, als würde man seine Fotos durchgehen am Ende des Jahres. Erinnerungen an Augenblicke kommen zurück, als ein bestimmter Track seinen ersten Eindruck auf mich gemacht hat oder wie der selben Track irgendwann ein Highlight in meinen DJ-Sets wurde. Jedes Stück hat seine Geschichte zu erzählen. Abseits von den offensichtlichen big tunes lassen die TOTAL-Compilations immer auch Raum für die ,schlafenden Hits', jenen Tracks also, die sträflich übersehen wurden. Mit einem Strauß an neuen exklusiven Beiträgen gibt es einiges zu entdecken und wiederentdecken. KOMPAKTS alljährliches Jahrbuch gesehen durch Michael Mayers Augen, für deine Ohren und Vergnügen." - Michael Mayer