89 - Compost Black Label No. 98 [Compost]

Compost Records have dropped another of their solid Black Label releases, this time with contributions from more label newcomers Liquid Phonk and Sello. The previous compilation (CBL #94) saw the label assemble a varied 3 track release with a stand-out effort from Lukas Bohlender: Club Chateau’s delicately crafted melancholia glides soulfully with emotional strings, compelling bass and an end-of-the-line (or night) vibe. 

Keeping things eclectic, on the latest Compost excursion Liquid Phonk delivers what his pseudonym implies: Heart & Soul is a slice of warm deep house complete with an infectious and uplifting vocal to which the track owes its name. The flip sees Sello work a different mood, eschewing Heart & Soul’s feel-good tack for a cagier, heads-down affair: with Liquid Phonk’s rays of sunshine long gone, Sello’s Everyday broods away in darker climes.

Try and buy me here.

017 - John Roberts (Glass Eights)

With this album, less is more. As opposed to cheapening components through their overuse, Roberts' use of restraint maintains their value. He recognizes the potential in holding back, in building up - as well as subverting - expectation. As a result, his music appears smart, well-dressed and sophisticated. I particularly like the use of the piano, which can be heard in Pruned.

John Roberts - Ever Or Not

John Roberts - Pruned

014 - Burial & Four Tet

This track is the precursor to their most recent collaboration with Thom Yorke. I think it chugs along really nicely. Despite this, however, I find that sometimes it loses my attention, due in part to its length. It doesn't really go anywhere - or rather, it doesn't go far - but that's not necessarily a bad thing: not all tracks have to embark on some kind of journey. It wouldn't set any dancefloors alight, but would go down well at the end of a night. I like the jerky element of the melody coupled with the wispy vocal line characteristic of Burial. Most importantly, both artists have left their mark without overshadowing the other. Overall, a successful collaboration.

Burial & Four Tet - Moth