The music release calendar has a number of regular releases that are strangely comforting in their regularity, as if to assure us that everything’s all right with the world. Kompakt are responsible for two of these annual milestones, firstly with the release of ‘Pop Ambient’ in January and then with the latest instalment of their ‘Total Kompakt’ compilation series in the summer. This particular compilation had a year off in 2013, so it’s great to see it back. That they’re now up to 14 speaks volumes for the label’s staying power – as does the music it contains. Once again we’re spoiled with exclusives from Superpitcher (the soothing ‘Delta’), Thomas/Mayer (‘Unter Halzern’, with a spring in its step), Voigt & Voigt and Jürgen Paape, with the quirky ‘Heuriger’. We also get a really cool song-based track from DJ Tennis feat. Pillowtalk, whose ‘The Outcast’ is a really nice bit of work, the redoubtable Gus Gus – who showcase their new album with ‘This Is What You Get When You Mess With Love’ – and an ultra-cool John Tejada remix of The Field’s ‘No. No…’. Not every inclusion is an outright success – Terranova’s ‘Headache’ collaboration with the otherwise superb Cath Coffey doesn’t convince – but this is another Kompakt offering that shows the good health the label is currently enjoying.
4 out of 5
Reviewed By Ben Hogwood
