With next to no compilations around this early in the year, it is good to report on this rather cheery number that has been brightening up the days since work became a ‘thing’ again. It is a typically eclectic compilation from Kenneth Bager’s Music for Dreams label, a mix of tracks for the more imaginatively thinking lounge person. From the memories of Serge Gainsbourg in Bonnie & Klein’s ‘Total Blue’ to the gorgeous Mediterranean warmth of Bjarno’s ‘Factor 30’, it covers a lot of ground – not to mention some good stuff from Bager himself, either in league with DJ Pippi (‘La Serenata’, out on his own (‘Premiere Classe’) or on remix duty (working well round the direct vocals of Laid Back’s ‘Fuck’). With quirky riffs and instrumentation around every corner, this is a good way of throwing off the cobwebs for the musical year ahead.
4 out of 5
Reviewed by Ben Hogwood
