COMPILATIONSQUICKIES 8.0


Joe Syntax Medical Mix Med School


High on medication


Med School’s remit — largely disassembled d&b — has always been broader than Hospital’s, and so it proves on this retrospective covering the last six years. Straddling Prince-flecked guitar (Stray’s ‘Frost’), what a Sade and Instra:Mental pairing might sound like (Nuage’s ‘Missing You’) and Spherique’s delicate ‘Snowflakes Catcher’, ‘Medical Mix’ strips d&b bare. But for all the soothing tracks on offer, they’re offset by a mid-section of ferocious d&b by the likes of S.P.Y., Randomer’s Pi-sampling ‘Blind’ and Enei’s ‘Z Grab’ with the musicality on tracks like Blu Mar Ten’s remix of ‘Unquote’ and Molecular Structures’ ‘Lubov Moya’ regularly reminding just who the parent label is. Dealing more in misty, downtempo, wintery introspection than floor-fillers, the range makes it tough to place, but Syntax’s firm hand means even the toughest tracks seem to play in relation to the bookending melancholy. Sunil Chauhan


Various Motion Sickness Domino


Domino effect


More openly famed for pedalling indie- rock giants like The Arctic Monkeys or Franz Ferdinand over the years, Domino Records has shifted a lot of electronic music for an imprint people sometimes label “indie”. Mainly because it’s not. Four Tet, Hot Chip and Junior Boys may have nailed the electronic album format in recent years, but this, its first-ever ‘Motion Sickness’ collection, is probably the imprint’s most dancey yet. Collating the remixes of the roster’s most prominent players of recent years — Austra, Tricky, Animal Collective, Wild Beasts — it’s a double CD collection confirming the label’s ongoing commitment to dancefloor substance, often overlooked or missed as B-side bonus material. With Carl Craig, Joy Orbison, Matthew Dear, Maya Jane Coles and Daphni all in on the action (on CD1 alone), dance music is no second-string dedication for Domino. This label knows its stuff. Adam Saville


8.0


Various Sick Music 3 Hospital 7.0


Ill d&b beats


Sick Music’s third installment is a typically assorted grab-bag, lurching from the energizing melancholy of Fred V & Grafix’s ‘Major Happy’ to Maztwek’s twitchily grinding ‘Twang’, S.P.Y’s sinister twist on High Contrast’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ and the icy ‘80s R&B of Microfunk Crew’s ‘Fluctuation’. Not quite on its deathbed, but definitely stretcher bound. Sunil Chauhan


Various Delta Swamp Rock 2 Soul Jazz 9.0


Funky down south


A comp of Southern US rock, surely not? What is this doing getting a review in DJ Mag? Well, observe the label, friends. This is that funky, stanky stuff, where soul, country and funk mixed in a potent moonshine through the late ‘60s to mid-’70s. Atmospheric, lush, full of flavour, packed with great grooves. Catfish head stew. We’re a broad church here. Ben Murphy


Various


Eskimonde: A Decade Of Eskimo Recording Eskimo Recordings 9.0


A decent decade


Since its inception a decade ago, Eskimo has made an art of eclecticism, releasing everything from obscure pop soul to classic house via weirdo electronics. Here they celebrate that across five CDs of new remixes, old gems and exclusive DJ mixes. This covers all bases of their mostly quality output. Essential. Kristan J Caryl


Various Shapes 12. 01 Tru Thoughts 7.0


Selection box 7.0


Various Dots & Pearls 2 Cocoon


Joining the Dots


Although the Cocoon club in Frankfurt is now officially in receivership, Sven’s Cocoon label (financially unrelated to the club, he stresses to point out) continues to churn out solid, club-focused compilations as if it were 2001. After its inaugural edition last year, though, ‘Dots & Pearls’ proved to be one of the more connoisseur collections out there, with ‘Volume 2’ — again released on vinyl and as a digital mix — underlining that once more. The likes of One Records’ Subb-an, Delsin’s devastating techno act Sawlin, Cocoon favorite Ilaro Alicante and Minus man Ambivalent all somewhat defy expectation with raw, un-formulaic contributions that touch on moody soundscapes, frazzled tech house and melody-drenched minimal. Some tracks fall into loopy monotony, but on the whole, Sven’s ear seems as tuned in as ever. Kristan J Caryl


8.0


Various Critical X Critical Recordings Constructive criticism


Last year’s ‘Critical Sound Of Drum & Bass’ comp demonstrated the north London label had more than enough to show for its first decade. This takes a more selective tack, with label founder Kasra Mowlavi plucking one track per year. It covers all bases — Rockwell’s micro-detailed ‘Aria’ has traces of Untold and Matmos, while Breakage’s scorching ‘Staggered Dub’ is a straight-ahead Amen workout designed to cause a racket. But between these extremes, the likes of Blackjack, Innocent X and Icicle consolidate a measured Photek-ish mood of smart, precise minimalism that steers clear of big gestures, even as it keeps functionality a high priority. A wieldy entry point for the Critical-curious, detailing the label’s ethos of looking ahead without straying too far from the past, anyone wondering how it’s become such a favorite of heavy- hitters and young turks alike should start here.Sunil Chauhan


Tru Thoughts’ annual ‘Shapes’ compilations serve the purpose of rounding up the best of the Brighton label’s releases — from Sleeping Giantz’ roughneck hip-hop to Quantic’s Colombian grooves via Hidden Orchestra’s symphonic electronica — every year. Now you know what to buy the bearded beatfreak in your life at Christmas. Paul Clarke


Roger Sanchez Release Yourself ‘12 Stealth Records 7.0


2012 in style


Solid house vibes from Sanchez in his regular end-of-year reflection on what’s been lighting up his dancefloors. Tracks from the likes of Zoo Brazil, Prok & Fitch, Roland Clark and Hoxton Whores combine for a mix that has a heady, deep vibe to it, but always with plenty of energy. A bit like the man himself, really. Tristan Parker


Various Ground Level Presents Playground Ground Level 6.0


Swings and roundabouts


Big if not clever, little seems to have escaped the Ground Level blender on this set of exclusives celebrating their fifth birthday. Surging hardcore energy, Azealia Banks- meets-Dance Mania sex-talk, lairy Justice- gone-brostep distortion, orchestral disco stabs, tribal house... it’s all there. Sunil Chauhan


rePeATTHE LPS WE CAN’T LEAVE ALONE...


DJ Deep Kern Vol. 1 Tresor 9.0


Dope mix tracking the Frenchman’s delectable house heritage for Tresor.


Derrick May & Jimmy Edgar We Love Detroit We Love 8.0


Unmixed dialogue from two Motor City masters — old and new.


Tiga Nonstop Different Recordings 8.0


This rip-roaring romp from the Turbo boss really is non-stop — relentless.


djmag.com 059


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