Various Artists – Kompakt Total 17 (2CD)

Description

Inaugurated in the summer of 1999, Kompakt’s Total compilation series happens to be only slightly older than the 21st century itself — which makes Total 17 the last instalment before the series hits adulthood. And indeed, the Total class of 2017 exudes a playful abundance few other compilations can match after 15+ years: label veterans and newcomers such as Superpitcher, Weval, Tobias Thomas & Michael Mayer, Chris Klopfer, J252;rgen Paape, Voigt & Voigt, Max Scholpp, and Nu U Orchestra provide some of the catchiest material the series has seen to date. Like other Total compilations before it, Total 17 is first and foremost a perfect opportunity to delve into Kompakt’s recent back catalog, with the The pi232;ce de r233;sistance, however, is the Total-exclusive content: eight brand new cuts from core Kompakt artists and selected label debutants that will please the collecting connoisseur as well as the ambitious dancefloor activist. Thomas/Mayer’s “25” is a charming, bass-happy belter with a distinct Forever Sweet vibe, while Superpitcher teams up with Fantastic Twins for hazy dancefloor ballad “In My Head”. Meanwhile, Kompakt’s disco king of the hearts J252;rgen Paape presents dreamy anthem “Always Disko”, manipulating the space-time continuum with reversed vocals and plenty of ballroom glitz. Dutch duo Weval indulge in their expectedly brilliant beatmaking with the slow-burning, emotional “Metazoa”, grooving nicely alongside the heartwarming neo-folk house of Chris Klopfer’s “Ashamed (Raquet & Stetter Edit)” and Max Scholpp’s hypnotic late-night electronica “The Dream”. J246;rg Burger helms the Nu U Orchestra together with Julienne Dessagne of Saschienne and Fantastic Twins fame, resulting in the flamboyant, guitar-infused pop jam “Ambrosia”. And Voigt & Voigt return to their personal brand of psychedelic trance techno minimalism on “Tribute To A Greek God”, a fittingly idiosyncratic contribution to the merry band of stand-out tracks collected on Total 17. Double CD version also features: Sebastopol, T.Raumschmiere, Vermont, Sasha, Poli231;a, Laurent Garnier, K246;lsch, Clarian, Demian, Patrice B228;umel, Danny Daze & Shokh, Christian Nielsen, Locked Groove, The Orb, and Dave DK.