Autobot is an unmixed compilation of previously released and forthcoming bits from New York’s longest-running electro imprint Satamile. Far from the electroclash booty-bash tuneage so often in the underground limelight these days, Satamile pushes closer towards the technoid angst of Germany’s Anthony Rother and his Psi49 crew. A number of artists from around the world-including Scape One, Silicon Scally, Decal and Airlocktronics-plumb the dark underbelly of the genre, but it’s Freezie Freekie, E.M.S. and Germany’s Bolz Bolz who steal the show.
Various Artists Jeff Mills: Exhibitionist
There’s no disputing Jeff Mills’ legendary status, but the Motor City selector confirms his creeping irrelevance here, offering listeners a dizzying run through sub-Ibizan techno. In a recent interview, the DJ complained that most new tunes “aren’t worth listening to beyond half a minute,” which makes you wonder why he bothers carrying on. Might it be argued that Mills simply isn’t looking in the right places? Exhibitionist suggests as much. Despite its acute technical sheen, the mix offers startlingly few rhythmic innovations-save its intermittent dalliances with batacuda. Eight years on from his last compilation, Exhibitionist paints a portrait of the artist on the brink of apathy. Sad, but true.
Various Artists The Third Unheard
Connecticut. The state hasn’t been known as a hip-hop hotbed, and is often considered a suburb of New York at best. This compilation should change your mind. First things first: This is old-school music, spanning from 1979 to 1983, and the production reflects that. With plenty of classic grooves replayed by a house band, Sugarhill-style, this will sound at once familiar and brand new. More than that, though, it sounds fun. CT linchpin Mr. Magic’s “Earth Break” is a terrific party cut, while his collaboration with the Positive Choice Band, “2001 Kazoos,” is a certifiable roller-rink banger. Throw on your bell-bottom Lee suit and give CT its due, y’all. And enjoy yourself while you’re at it.
Various Artists Brazilian Beats 5
If only I could speak Portuguese, then I’d take off to Brazil. I could chill out like Pharrell and Snoop in the “Beautiful” video, absorb indigenous sites and get down to the kind of sounds showcased on Mr. Bongo’s Brazilian Beats 5. Hip-hop is strongly represented on this compilation, but one gets the feeling the artists have just finished watching Wild Style; tracks like Marcelo D2’s “Pilotando O Bonde Da Excursao” reek of classic Sugar Hill Gang. Not surprisingly, the oldies but goodies win out over the new material-the big highlights are Jorge Ben’s “Take it Easy Me Brother Charles” and Bossa Tres’ rare “Imprevisto.”
Various Artists Edge Of the World
Global Rhythm magazine maven Alecia Cohen selects a few faves for Edge of the World, echoing the content of her similarly-titled world music column. Brazil, Cameroon, China and more all check in thanks to contributions from established edge-pushers like Dr. Israel, Zuco 103 and Karsh Kale. However, it’s world music’s next generation acts, such as So’ Forest, Los De Abajo, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra and Dhol Foundation who sow the fresh seeds here. Read the discourse, then rotate the disc.
Various Artists DJ Kicks: Erlend ?ye
As one half of a duo frequently dubbed the Norwegian Simon and “Garfunkel,” Kings Of Convenience’s Erlend ?ye has often seemed diametrically opposed to club culture. However, a startling conversion seems to have occurred. Following an Ibiza-promoted K.O.C remix album, ?ye’s solo debut, Unrest, featured collaborations with ten different electronic music producers, including electro duo Mr. Velcro Fastener and Atlanta’s glitch-hop king Prefuse 73. On his first mix CD, ?ye is self-styled as “the singing DJ.” He adds acapellas of his own “A Place In My Heart” and The Smiths’ “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out” to instrumentals from Morgan Geist and Ràyksopp to beguiling effect, and draws on tracks from the Kompakt, Playhouse and Telle labels to fulfill his stated role as “host of the party.”
Various Artists Split Series 9-16
The second Split Series release curates tracks from 16 sides of Fat Cat’s 12″ vinyl series, and it seems deliberately intended to disrupt expectations of the Brighton, UK-based imprint. Splinter Series is not so much a coherent statement of intent as a brainstorming session: a chance for ideas to be bandied about without any obligation to pursue them. Noise and abstraction feature prominently here, but the best tracks eschew glitch antagonism. Matmos creates mutant house music littered with splinters of unwanted R&B acappellas, Process finds extreme beauty in streamlined minimal house and, for the grand finale, Ultra Red amalgamates site recordings made during street protests against the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank into the floor-friendly “A16.”
Various Artists Anticon Label Sampler: 1999-2004
For those not already familiar with Anticon, this budget-priced compilation provides an excellent primer, collecting tracks by the label’s extended stable of artists, from the fantastic, absurdist rhymes of Themselves to the acerbic rants of Sole. Despite many sublime moments, Anticon releases have always walked a very fine line between clever and whiny/pretentious, which means this is ultimately a mixed bag.
Various Artists TRR50 Thank You
Temporary Residence has just solved the problem of what to do when you’re in a pensive, quiet mood but you feel like a wuss putting on Cat Stevens or Bright Eyes. To celebrate their 50th release, the Portland label comes through with 11 new tracks that lovingly stitch together fuzzy guitars and ambient washes with the occasional digital pulse and glitch. Tarentel and Explosions in the Sky make like more experimental, instrumental updates of shoegazers Slowdive, Four Tet side project Fridge delivers pastoral sampler pop and Sybarite soundtracks a long car ride with the Arizona desert coming into sharp relief over the dashboard. TRR50 is destined to be loved like that old, faded patch on your favorite jeans.
Various Artists Electronic Music For Heroes Volume Three
Compilations are always a tricky affair-most encourage liberal use of the fast-forward button. This particular volume from Southeast London’s Hydrogen Dukebox imprint starts out strong; the Swaymay remix of Norken’s “Motorbreeze” is by far the best outing on this entire disc, a low-slung funk growler with a vocodered riff. Things go awry on the next track though, as A1 People strike a pouty electroclash pose with “The Reason.” Luckily, Plumbline swoops in to save the day with the beatific strings and serene vocals of “212 E10.” The verdict? For every hero, there’s a zero to match.
