Though many of you on this list are probably quite familiar with this label,
I just picked up some Kompakt CDs in NYC and can't say enough good things
about them. The Tobias Thomas mix CD actually includes mostly non-Kompakt
tracks, but they do tend to stay true to the sound of the label -- bouncy,
symmetric techno with a greater emphasis on rhythm and melody than power and
soul. Lots of different ideas mixed together well on here. Nice to see a
non-trance mix CD on the market.
Also picked up the Kompakt 1:Koln compilation from a few years ago, which
functions as a perfect introduction to some of the defining Cologne artists
(modernist, studio 1, etc). The new Kompakt 6:Total 2 gets me a little more
excited. It features a lot of the new artists on the label, including a
good amount of tracks taken from the sublabels that Kompakt distributes.
This compilation includes a more diverse group of musical styles, including
some interesting vocal tracks.
I'm still somewhat new to Kompakt -- since they do have a TON of records out
there -- but would say that these three albums -- Tobias Thomas mix, Koln,
Total 2 -- are great places to start and much cheaper than buying vinyl at
$10 a 12".
You won't hear so much of the emotive soul tendencies that many associate
with a lot of the Detroit producers -- May, Craig -- or any of the power or
aggression that many associate with much of the more acknowledged techno
producers -- Mills, Surgeon, Ho, Beyer -- or much of the surreal/cerebral
experimentation that can be found on the Chain Reaction and Mille Plateaux
labels. These guys instead tend to focus on structure, with the way they
construct their elaborate mid-tempo rhythms and their tangential song
structures.
...check it out...cool stuff
Jason Birchmeier
----------------
Beyond the Dance
http://beyondthedance.com
A framework for appreciating techno
----------------
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Upton [mailto:jetjag@mailandnews.com]
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2000 7:14 PM
To: idm@hyperreal.org
Subject: [idm] Recent Kompakt releases..
Well, since I got no response re: Dettinger's new album, I'll ask a broader
question.
What do the more recent Kompakt releases sound like? I'm specifically
wondering about the Tobias Thomas CD, and wondering if Kompakt do tend
towards the downbeat on all their CDs. There's also another CD on the way,
isn't there? The name (spelling completely from my head) I recall is
Joachim Spaeth.
Any opinions or info (particularly re: what they actually sound like) would
be greatly appreciated.
Michael
np. 'Intershop' - Dettinger (this would still be my pick for favourite IDM
album of 1999!)
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http://involve.co.nz
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