Essential listen for downtempo enthusiasts. Different artists cover wide range of styles.
Breathe Compilations is a (former?) Mexican netlabel that – surprise – specialises in releasing compilations, active between 2008 and 2018 (as of 2020). Although the label’s back catalogue (92 releases) has not seen an addition for almost 2 years, its Soundcloud profile buzzes with activity. So I don’t fully call off any hope for a comeback. But in the meantime, I could as well review one of its earliest releases:
Continue reading “Various Artists – [2008] Breathe 02”
The Silent Ballet is a past review blog and compilation project. Since 2012, activity has ceased and its founder has since moved on to write for Fragile ǀǀ ¿Extinct?, which now posts occasional reviews and an annual list of 100 tracks/50 albums (very worth checking out).
This entry in the compilation series (16 in total) marks the point when its scope widened from a pure post-rock to a more general experimental musical direction. As with all Ballets, production quality is high to stellar.
Continue reading “Various Artists – [2007] The Silent Ballet, Volume III: Unfolding a Broken Heart”Exceptional chiptune compilation for Platine Festival in Cologne. Great contributions from well-known artists.
If you want to saviour a varied selection of different classic 8-bit as well as modern interpretations of the genre, look no further. From classic pure console sounds to blends of chip and studio music you can feel served. I can fully recommend each of the 10 tracks, yet will only showcase you the habitual two here:
Continue reading “Various Artists – [2011] BACKUP11”Massive trip hop infused electronic compilation. 30 tracks from dance to experimental.
Netlabel Bump Foot is special in that it consists two separately numbered release channels. One is labelled bump, dealing with house and techno, foot the other for IDM, trip hop, chiptune, ambient… everything else electronic, basically. In 2009, both series hit their 100th anniversary. This one is filled with two hours of high quality trip hop, pop-y and funky electronica from the golden netlabel era.
Continue reading “Various Artists – [2009] Footprints”Short like an EP, full like a compilation. Uplifting ambient electronica at its best.
A short album, but varied like a compilation: 6 tracks, 3 of which are compilations, and 2 remixes make this a small festival in all things ambient electronica.
It marked the end of a three year hiatus. And what a bombastic, I mean, relaxing, way to do that. If you have not yet Planet Boelex on your mental shortlist for acoustic bubble baths, here is your ticket:
Essential post rock compilation series. Spans a huge range from almost classical to jazzy territory.
This compilation more than most rewards front-to-back listening. Much care has gone in arranging the tracks “in order”. Thus it hurts me more than usual to only rip two tracks out of context. So if you can find pleasure in those, the 9 other track in between warrant their long duration (over 6 minutes on average).
Continue reading “Various Artists – [2006] The Silent Ballet, Volume II: Acquiescence and Oblivion”Versatile trip hop compilation. From ethnic ambient to catchy pop rock, all genres may apply.
Over 5 years after my review on Fusion Compilation 8, I return to this netlabel with their most recent instalment to the series. Comparing both compilations back to back highlights how professional the free music scene has become during the course of the decade: all ten tracks have major-label grade production, crisp recording and tight arrangements. Which tracks am I gonna highlight?
Continue reading “Various Artists – [2019] Fusion Compilation 12”Clicky, surprisingly upbeat deep house from Mainz, with one or two experimental slippages.
This vintage collection of rather minimal danceable tracks does not compromise on its concept to please. Dry clicks and noisy effects are sprinkled liberally across the whole 12-track ensemble. But that playfulness in texture is well balanced by minimal harmonies and repetitive (not to say catchy) song structures.
Continue reading “Various Artists – [2007] Classic Accidents”Antique pop compilation. From the rather early days of high quality free music publishing.
At the time, trying to publish music outside the traditional channels (music labels) was still quite out of the ordinary. No Bandcamp, no Jamendo, no Free Music Archive. All those only came to life during the last 10 years. If you this release’s style, have a listen to the curators other compilations, mixes and podcasts, all neatly stored for our future pleasure. But now, lend my two picks an ear (or two):
Continue reading “Various Artists – [2007] Share It Spread It Love It”Exceptional pop compilation. The fabulous series does it yet again…
Again it’s time to honour one of the more than 50 episodes of the netBloc series.
Like usual, two tracks are far to few to cover all the gems in this release. Like usual for a blocSonic release, it covers a broad range of popular music genres, ranging from alternative rock, to easy listening to instrumental hip hop.
