Playlists 

It’s 2020, the year Pop Ambient turns twenty-one years old, a spritely young adult waltzing out of its teenage joys and tears. Pop Ambient has always stood for a certain classicism and elegance, a kind of beatless music that’s diaphanous and hazy, gossamer and glittering. It’s a music that’s no less inviting for its slow pace and becalmed nature, with a different kind of tension bubbling under the surface. For twenty-one years, KOMPAKT co-founder Wolfgang Voigt has curated a series of peerless compilations that repeatedly find refreshing answers to a simple question – What happens when the dancefloor is empty, and everyone’s home to drift away?

As with many other Pop Ambient compilations, Pop Ambient 2021 offers a welcome platform to contributions from both old friends and new faces. It opens with the gorgeous, slo-mo drift of “Of A Vessel”, from new Kompakt signings Blank Gloss. Sending their music out into the world from their home in Sacramento, this duo makes music that’s featherlight and luscious, the muted chime of a guitar over here, the steady hum of a halatial drone over there; everything in its right place, and nothing overdone. The poise is all. Neozaïre (Tobias Sawitzki aka Noorden) and Seventh World (Juho Hietala aka Blamstrain) are our other two new voices, the latter closing (the CD version of) Pop Ambient 2021 with a long, lambent dreamsong, Neozaïre offering us two gaseous, morphing driftworks, “Vor den Toren Europas” and “In Verschwenderischer Fülle” (CD only), etched across with bell-like arpeggios.

Pop Ambient has always felt like a field for play for the KOMPAKT cognoscenti, and 2021 is no different, with Joachim Spieth collaborating with Pepo Galán on the sidereal visions of “Libration”, while Leandro Fresco teams up with Thore Pfeiffer on the lovely “Abejorro”. Pfeiffer also contributes two lovely solo miniatures of abstract longing. Yui Onodera calls in again, long distance, for their fourth Pop Ambient running, with the refracted, glinting lightscapes of “Cromo 5” and “Monochrome”, while there are also star turns from Max Würden, both solo and in Reich & Würden (with Luis Reichard), and Morgen Wurde, who drops by with the ‘ethereal drama’ of “Mittsommer”.

Pop Ambient gets the balance right: visions and soundscapes, long-distance communications and intimate asides, sweetness and light, drama and dreaming, all wrapped up in floral abstractions – a most beautiful distraction.

Wir schreiben das Jahr 2020, das Jahr, in dem Pop Ambient einundzwanzig Jahre alt wird – das entspricht etwa einem lebenshungrigen jungen Erwachsenen, der gerade aus den letzten Teenager-Freuden und Leiden herausgewachsen ist. Pop Ambient steht seit jeher für eine gewisse Klassik und Eleganz, beatfreie Musik, die, transparent und leicht verschwommen, zart und glitzernd leuchtet. Musik, die trotz ihrer Langsamkeit und ihrer sanften Natur unter Spannung steht, weil hier immer etwas unter der scheinbar ruhigen Oberfläche brodelt.

Einundzwanzig Jahre lang hat KOMPAKT-Mitbegründer Wolfgang Voigt diese einzigartige Compilation-Reihe kuratiert, die immer wieder neue Antworten auf eine einfache Frage findet: Wie füllt man die Leere nach dem Club?

Wie viele andere Pop Ambient-Compilations bietet auch Pop Ambient 2021 eine Plattform für die musikalischen Beiträge von alten Freunden und einigen neuen Gesichtern. Es beginnt mit dem wunderbaren Slo-Mo-Drift von "Of A Vessel" von Blank Gloss, einem neuen Kompakt Signing. Das Duo stammt aus Sacramento in Kalifornien und sendet von dort seine überaus leichte und sinnliche Musik in die Welt hinaus – ein zartes Zupfen an einer Gitarresaite hier, das gleichmäßige Dröhnen eines prunkvollen Soundscapes hier; alles ist hier am richtigen Platz und passiert ohne übertriebene Betonung. Gelassenheit ist alles. Neozaïre und Seventh World sind zwei weitere Neuzugänge. Hinter Seventh World steckt der finnische Produzent Juho Hietala aka Blamstrain, der (die CD Version von) Pop Ambient 2021 mit einem epischen, flackernden Traum names “Light The Waves Before Dawn“ beschließt, während Neozaïre, ein Seitenprojekt von Tobias Sawitzki aka Noorden, zwei gasförmige, sich immer wieder morphende und abdriftende Tracks abliefert: "In Verschwenderischer Fülle" (CD only) mit seinen glockenartigen Arpeggios und “Vor Den Toren Europas“.

Pop Ambient fühlte sich immer schon an wie ein Experimentierfeld für eingefleischte KOMPAKT-Künstler, und auch 2021 ist das nicht anders: zum Beispiel Joachim Spieth’s Kooperation mit Pepo Galán ("Libration") oder Leandro Fresco, der mit Thore Pfeiffer das liebevolle "Abejorro" produzierte. Pfeiffer steuert mit “Grape“ und “Center“ zwei weitere Solo-Miniaturen voller abstrakter Sehnsucht bei. Der japanische Klangkünstler Yui Onodera meldet sich mit den gebrochen-glitzernden Lichtlandschaften von "Cromo 5" und "Monochrome" bereits zum vierten Mal auf Pop Ambient zu Wort, während Max Würden sowohl solo, als auch als Teil von Reich & Würden (mit Luis Reichard) ebenso wie Morgen Wurde schon zu den Stars dieser Compilation gehört.

High-quality FERRO cassette tapes, printed on 160g premium paper.

Release info
New SEQMENTS release includes an amazing remix by Dante Archipiélago, also known as Mwamwa. As the first remix to arrive, it immediately set the tone for the series. Based in Mexico, Dante is a very talented producer with releases on labels such as Secuencias Temporal, Circular Limited, and Sygnth. His sound is very modern, with playful breakbeats and rich rhythmic tribal elements, carefully crafted into one beautiful cohesive whole.

High-quality FERRO cassette tapes, printed on 160g premium paper.

Release info
New release with a remix coming from Mirror Lake (Mexico). His version of the track could easily fit into a drum & bass set, but would work just as well in a classic 4/4 set as a refreshing change of pace. Compared to my original, his version features a shorter bass, making the groove more dance-driven and energetic. Superb control over detail throughout the entire track.

High-quality FERRO cassette tapes, printed on 160g premium paper.

Release info
For the second release in the series, I invited Diffused Signal from Australia. His track can be categorised more as an extension of my original track rather than a remix. With new rhythmic elements and textures that blend smoothly with the main idea, creating a more dynamic atmosphere.
The result is a fusion of deep techno and breakbeat, with an organic aesthetic that gives the release its unique character.

High-quality FERRO cassette tapes, printed on 160g premium paper.

Release info
XERO marks the beginning of a new series in which Saša Delimar invites artists he has long admired to reinterpret his original works. Each release features original compositions alongside one or two remixes, offering a new perspective on the material.

The first edition welcomes Steve Braam, aka Orca Silent (Canada).

The series focuses on minimalism and explores deeper, more experimental soundscapes beyond conventional dance floor structures

Eastside Edits is back with their 1st release in 2026 with two upbeat 60’s Motown/Soul edits from Greece’s production duo Senior Citizens (DJ S & DJ Chairman)

Side A) “The Best Things In Life” turns a classic 60’s Motown anthem into an upbeat & funky, drumheavy weapon for the dancefloor. A must have for any DJ or collector!

Side B) “Ticket For An Aeroplane” brings more of that 60’s soul nostalgia with a perfect pairing to the A side. Upbeat and funky, with a memorable chorus that needed an edit to bring this into your crates!

The Reflex is a disco don with a fine ear for tweaking a classic and bringing the same sensibilities to his own originals. This new one on Flex7 is a marriage of funk, soul and disco that is going to bring joy to any party. 'Without Ur Luv' has big and silky vocals and loved-up call and response with funky lines and glittery synths. On the flipside is a 'Xpress Urselves', a rework of a funky classic with all the guttural vocal cries, big horns, percolating drums and killer bass. It retains the original's charm, though with a new school edge. Two highly effective jams.

To decay is also to transform. Rusting metal is the visible traces of passing time, as the oxidation process accumulates dampness in our atmosphere and imprints it as unpredictable patterns onto hard iron and steel. Working in construction for a year now, Kensho Nakamura sees rust all the time, clambering up ageing chunks of material. Normally discarded as waste, Nakamura began discerning beauty in the phenomenon, organically spiralling around and consuming some of the very hardest of manufacturing stuffs into unique new forms.

‘Electric Rust’ continues the conceptual electronic composition mode of Nakamura’s previous works with a series of fractured musical dioramas. These scurrying notes, sparse hums, and quivering bleeps explore the topics of rust and the accumulation of time. The music ticks like a clock, drips like a tap, and manifests unknowable inorganic shapes. Recognisable musical snippets of bells, pianos, or murmured voices are buried inside counterintuitive synthetic rhythms and tension.

On ‘wet air’ piano notes tinkle and pipes gargle, digital detritus tap dances and arpeggios stumble. On ‘unique faces’, idle marimbas and malfunctioning animalistic squeaks flounder. This is music from the promethean space between being forgotten and being conceived. ‘Electric Rust’ is a topography of a world of rust, where corroding structures evolve into new — and beautiful — patterns of life.

DJ Support: Jazzy Jeff, Louie Vega, Kenny Dope, Dj Koco, Skratch Bastid, Dimitri From Paris, Dj Spen, Dj Pierre, Dr Packer, and many other.

Groove Culture Bosses Micky More & Andy Tee Provided 2 beautiful jazzy-house djfriendly versions of the Classics 'Gypsy Woman' and 'Special Love'. On Both side everything is played live from the bass to the horns. A Must Have.

DJ Support: Sean Johnston, Bradley Zero, Andy Blake, Ruf Dug, Jimi Jules, Richard Sen, Tia Cousins

After a brief hiatus, the tartan tantaliser returns to town for his 6th offering. Two long awaited flips for your bags. Don’t sleep!

the third release of german house duo frankey&sandrino on mule musiq. the title track on a side is their trade mark hypnotic deep house tune for big room. b side is much deeper and nice dj tool for dark underground club.

Superpitcher is Aksel Schaufler who is resident DJ at the legendary Total Confusion club night at Cologne’s Studio 672 alongside Michael Mayer and Tobias Thomas. After his storming contribution for Speicher 1 and a remix for Contriva's club hit 'Monika' which became one of the hottest moments during the last cold winter nights he presents his beautiful debut 'Heroin'. Kompakt is his work place, technopop his mission - watch out - you' ll get addicted!

Superpitcher ist Aksel Schaufler, der neben Michael Mayer und Tobias Thomas Resident DJ bei der legendären Clubnacht Total Confusion im Kölner Studio 672 ist. Nach seinem aufsehenerregenden Beitrag für die Speicher 1 und einem Remix für Contriva’s Clubhit “Monika“, der in den letzten kalten Winternächten für heiße Momente sorgte, präsentiert er nun seine wunderschöne Debüt-Maxi “Heroin“. Kompakt ist sein Arbeitsplatz, Techno Pop seine Mission - Vorsicht - Ihr werdet süchtig danach werden!
Downloads

REPRESS

Following 2018's 'Nothing Around Us' single, Mathame show no sign of slowing down. Their Afterlife Recordings follow up is a dancefloor single of epic proportions, taking the duo further into a realm of their own. Tension hangs off the sliding chords and spacious arrangements. In the case of 'Skywalking' it reaches an uplifting, euphoric crescendo, in Tale Of Us' intro edit of 'Departure' the theme goes darker and off-kilter. Bona fide anthems in the sets of Mathame and Tale Of Us.

2022 Repress

In future times, culture historians will refer to Gabor Schablitzki aka Robag Wruhme as a creator of a singular techno sound, a rock in the murky sea of arbitrary musical dullness that befell mankind in the early 21st century.

Furthermore, a lesser known quality of Schablitzki will be praised and explored: He was a relentless wordsmith, a deeply passionate inventor of elegant idioms that enriched German language. Take ‘Freggelswuff’ or ‘Wemmel’ as shining examples.

It’s within this context that a certain cultural artefact released on a Cologne based record label called KOMPAKT (which towards the end of the 21st century made a hardly publicised turn to manufacturing CO2-neutral wall plug systems) that went by the sonorous title ‘Topinambur’ has to be mentioned. Legend has it that Schablitzki claimed to have created the word ‘Topinambur’, unknowingly that local farmers have been marketing a root tuber under the same name since it got imported from America in 1610 AD. The following tenacious copyright lawsuit between Schablitzki and a large agricultural consortium lasted for many years. It isn’t considered as a highpoint in Schablitzki’s turbulent life but it still serves a staircase wit that is passed on from generation to generation amongst Black Forest moonshiners.

Kulturhistoriker künftiger Generationen werden Gabor Schablitzki alias Robag Wruhme als Schöpfer eines singulären Techno-Sounds preisen, als einen Fels in der Brandung der im frühen 21. Jahrhundert vorherrschenden Beliebigkeit. Als DJ und Produzent war ein Meister des deepen Abrisses, werden sie weiterhin formulieren, obschon es weitere 136 Jahre dauern wird, bis die subkulturelle Bedeutung des Wortes 'Abriss' zweifelsfrei geklärt werden konnte.

Es wird aber auch eine weitere einzigartige Qualität Gabor Schablitzkis hervorgehoben werden: Er war ein unermüdlicher Wortschöpfer, der die deutsche Sprache um elegante Idiome wie Freggelswuff oder Wemmel bereicherte. In diesem Zusammenhang findet meist eine Veröffentlichung des Kölner Labels KOMPAKT (welches im ausklingenden 21. Jahrhundert einen wenig bemerkenswerten Wandel zum Hersteller von CO2-neutralen Dämmstoffdübeln vollzog) Erwähnung. Diese Veröffentlichung erschien unter dem klangvollen Namen "Topinambur" und die Legende besagt, dass Schablitzki behauptete auch hier der Nachwelt eine neue Wortschöpfung hinterlassen zu haben, nicht wissend, dass europäische Landwirte bereits seit 1610 A.D. unter diesem Namen ein aus Amerika importiertes Knollengewächs vermarkteten. Der sich daran anschliessende Copyright-Streit zwischen Schablitzki und einem mächtigen Agrarkonzern, zählte nicht zu den rühmlichen Episoden seines bewegten Lebens, sorgt aber seit Generationen als Treppenwitz unter Schwarzwälder Schnapsbrennern für viel Geschmunzel.

Following his excellent ‘Rhy’ EP last October, Tim Engelhardt crafts a spellbinding return to Watergate Records.
A prodigal talent at just 22-year-old, Cologne’s Engelhardt stands at the vanguard of Germany’s new breed of electronic music talent. Prolific and passionate in equal measures, the artist has kept busy during lockdown sharing a series of tracks and edits he’s made on Bandcamp titled ‘The Notebook’. His refined production approach gets better with each release, as exemplified by his latest offering, ‘Rooted’.
The title track introduces itself with a punchy kick drum pattern, before a brew of organic percussion and a multi-layered key sequence give the track a memorable bite. ‘Brought to Bare’ combines golden soundscapes, rolling beats and bubbling drum lines. ‘Future Matter’ illustrates his finely developed sound design skills, as delicate strings rub shoulders with a building melody line and a sturdy low groove that hits with chugging impact after the break.

Essential comp of rare funk 45’s from the 70’s – original 1994 LP’s in pic sleeve

Repress

Cinthie Christl is a powerhouse of a DJ, producer, label manager, record store owner and all-round house music aficionado. Shall Not Fade is excited to announce Cinthie is joining the family to mark the 60th release on the label. Free Fall EP shows off the German polymath's expansive musical knowledge, developed through decades of spinning vinyl.

The 4-tracker kicks off with "Offenbach Anthem" bounces along with a varied post-disco inspired beat and oh-so-deep bassline that strikes against the aerated chords of the melody. Dramatic strings add to the disco flavour, the fluid and glittery opener cruises into the tight, 4-to-the-floor business and stuttering stabs of "13 Steps To Heaven".

Rave energy takes over on "Oh No No No"; organ takes centre stage blending with crooning diva vocalisations - releasing the tension of the last track into an overflow of euphoria. "What You Mean To Me" closes the EP with a slice of the super-smooth classic house that Cinthie is known for; infectious grooves and perfect lulls forming a triumphant end to the record.

Kölsch returns to his first home and Kompakt’s eternal Speicher series following a remarkably productive past 18 months that included his 4th full length opus “Now Here No Where”, a double single on his own IPSO imprint and remixes for the likes of Joe Goddard, Douglas Greed and Agoria.

Expect the unexpected this round from our man with the hat with the squelching “Woohman”. He rolls back the clock and brings back a spirit of RAVE, delivered in the way we adore his signature style most. The flip side “Speicherband” feels for us here at Kompakt like an homage of sorts to one of our founding father’s Wolfgang Voigt. The minimal churn of a technofied bass drum pounds forth, as a troop of horns call forth the return of unadulterated gatherings to the once empty dance floors across the globe.

Kölsch kehrt wieder zurück in die alte Heimat KOMPAKT und zu unserer ewig jungen Speicher-Serie, nachdem er in den letzten 18 Monaten außerordentlich produktiv war und sein viertes Album "Now Here No Where", die digitale Single “Hold/Clear” auf seinem eigenen IPSO Label und Remixe für Leute wie Joe Goddard, Douglas Greed und Agoria veröffentlicht hatte.

Mit dem druckvollen "Woohman" geht es los und hier klingt unser Mann mit dem Hut getreu dem Motto: “Erwarte das Unerwartete”. Er dreht die Zeit zurück und bringt den Spirit des RAVE zurück, und zwar auf seine ganz eigene und unverwechselbare Art und Weise, die wir so an ihm lieben. Die Flipside "Speicherband" fühlt sich für uns hier bei Kompakt wie eine Art Hommage an einen unserer Gründungsväter Wolfgang Voigt an. Dieses minimalistische Dröhnen einer Techno-Bassdrum, dazu ein Satz Bläser, der die Menschen zur Rückkehr auf die einst verwaisten Tanzflächen der Welt herbei ruft.

London favourites FUSE continue their busy start to 2025 with the latest offering from eb_flow, the previously anonymous project from founder Enzo Siragusa and Burnski, as they officially reveal their identities for the first time. A project shrouded in mystery since its debut in late 2022, eb_flow has captured the attention of the global underground house and minimal realm with their signature fusion of deep grooves and hypnotic soundscapes. With speculation surrounding the masterminds behind the alias since its launch, the ‘Boundless EP’ officially confirms what many had suspected – that two of the scene’s most respected producers are at the helm. The EP marks the duo’s second release on FUSE and their third overall, following their debut on the label and their ‘Sunshine’ EP on Burnski’s Constant Sound.

The three-track EP showcases eb_flow’s dynamic sound, perfectly balancing signature and trademark touches from both artists. ‘Celestial’ is a cosmic journey through sweeping pads, shimmering textures, and crisp drums, bringing a simmering cut to the fore. The title track, ‘Boundless,’ is a dancefloor weapon, built on tight percussion, heavy low-slung basslines, and atmospheric flourishes that take things deeper. Closing the EP with a hypnotic and immersive groove, ‘Illusion’ layers wonky yet intricate drum programming with subtle electronic elements to craft a trippy late-night roller.

Essential fixtures in both Siragusa and Burnski’s sets, this latest instalment cements the project’s status as a driving force with a reveal many have been patiently awaiting.