Rare funky fusion from Compost! This excellent session by the short-lived group is also definitely up there on the list of stellar fusiony sets that have been too long overlooked. Many of the tracks have a nice hard angular sound to them, with a fusion break sound similar to some of the European albums of the same period, but with a lot more warmth. Bob Moses sings vocals on some cuts, but the strong point of the record is the instrumental grooving. The group includes Harold Vick on reeds, Moses on drums, Jumma Santos on percussion, and Jack DeJohnette on keyboards. Tracks include "Funky Feet", "Thinkin'", "Sweet Berry Wine", "Happy Piece", "Inflamation Blues" and "Bwaata". CD

A classic set of spiritual fusion from this short-lived allstar group Compost – featuring Harold Vick, Bob Moses, Jumma Santos, and Jack DeJohnette! Vick's at his moody soulful best here, in a mode that's similar to his Strata East work – and the record also features occasional vocals by Lou Courtney and Jeanne Lee. They hit a fairy feverish, funky jazz mode throughout, and every player is in incredible form here. Titles include "The Ripper", "Moonsong", "Changing Streams", "Mon Cherry Popsicool", "Compost Festival", "Life Is Round", and "Buzzard Feathers". CD

A limited edition CD from Compost Records – one that features titles never before issued on CD, as well as some hard to find remixes! The set's a great treat to you fans of Compost without a turntable – as it compiles some of the best cuts from singles of the past few years, and throws in a few more strong cuts from the Compost catalog, giving you a 12 track sampling of cuts from one of the hippest labels around! Titles include "Eclipse (Afronaught Nocturnal dub rmx)" by Kyoto Jazz Massive, "A Go Go (DJ Muro rmx)" by Truby Trio, "Sound Of The Samba" by Victor Davies, "Human Patterns (Blackfish rmx)" by Beanfield, "O Preguicoso (new version)" by Intuit, "Cold Fusion (Dr Rockit rmx)" by Minus 8, "Everything (Beanfield rmx)" by Forest Mighty Black, "Love Unlimited (Capries rmx)" by Les Gammas, "Citizen" by Procreation, "Alone" by The Amalgamation Of Soundz, "Ten" by Fauna Flash, and "Bird Song" by The Underwolves. CD

If this is the future, lead us to the moving sidewalks! This 9th volume in Compost Records' now-legendary series is easily the best we've heard to date – and it really shows the tremendous growth from the Compost posse over the past few years, stretching from its initial roots in abstract and electronic grooves, into a much more deeply soulful world of music, one that's got equal parts real jazz instrumentation and thoughtful lead vocals – making for a much stronger body of work overall! This compilation includes a number of previously unreleased and exclusive tracks – next to a few recent singles on Compost and other labels – and titles include "Anywhere Anyone" by Dntel, "Moa" by Yellowtail, "Along" by Alexander Kowalski, "Venue" by Julius Kammerl, "Folk Song For Cello" by Savath & Savalas, "Juice" by Season with Ernesto, "Leave Me Now" by Stateless featuring Bless, "Futuristica (Grand Unify vox rmx)" by Joseph Malik, and "Something To Get Excited About" by Triplane. CD

An amazing record from Kyoto Jazz Massive – and about time, too! The Japanese collective has been bubbling under for years – doing some of the most groundbreaking production, remix, and single work of the current Japanese scene – and this album is really their first true full-length, a massive set of tracks with a soulful approach we never knew they had! The whole thing's amazing from the word "go" (which actually isn't the first word on the album!) – and the first few tracks are especially strong, all soulful numbers with vocals by guest singers that include Vanessa Freeman, Victor Davies, and Maiya James. After that burst, the album takes off instrumentally – stretching for the sky in a jazz-infused blend of beats and keyboards, occasional other instrumentation creeping into the mix at just the right moments. Titles include "The Dawn Introduction", "The Brightness Of These Days", "Mind Expansions", "Stargazer", "Eclipse", "Between The Lights", "Substream", "Shine", "ME Outroduction", and "Behind The Shadow". Japanese version features one bonus track – "The View From Her Room", with vocals by Bebel Gilberto! CD

Compost just keep on getting better and better! This record is a wonderful blend of Fender Rhodes, vibes, funky flute, and other classic instrumental sounds – all filtered through the tasteful modern production scheme of the groundbreaking German imprint, but still retaining more of a classic jazz funk feel than most of the work on the label. Minus 8 is only one guy, but he's helped on the effort by a number of guest players who keep the sound pretty fresh. Titles include "Snowblind", "Beyond Material", "Cold Fusion", "Mondo Boppp", and "Neverland". CD

A soundtrack for the 21st Century – original film tunes written and scored by il maestro Morricone, re-mixed and re-done by the Compost Records collective! Compost isn't normally as into the soundtrack bag as some of their other contemporaries on the European scene – which is why this project is even fresher than other remix projects of its type. Most of the artists here focus on the core elements of the tunes – going for the one time change, tonal passage, or light melody that makes the tune – then extrapolating that into a whole new work of their own design. Morricone's never sounded so contemporary, and the package is filled with new grooves that really change up the pace. Titles include "Ninna Nanna In Blu" by Raw Deal, "Amore Come Dolore" by Needs, "La Cugina" by Amalgamation Of Soundz, "Rivoluzione (con-fusion mix)" by Butti 49, "La Moda" by International Pony, "Il Buono Il Brutto Il Cattivo" by Swell Session, "Beat No 3" by Leroy Hanghofer, and "Le Foto Proibite Di Una Signora Per Bene" by Alex Attias. CD

The latest installment in this important series from Compost – the cream of the crop of the NuJazz underground, featuring obscure single tracks, a few exclusive tunes, and a great mix of material! Titles include "Dust" by Moonstarr, "Theme (future sounds version)" by Soulpatrol, "Bird Song (Earthbound rmx)" by The Underwolves – only on the CD version – "Around In Circles" by Kaos, "Smith vs Smith" by Jon Kennedy, "Spaceman (recloose rmx)" by Dan Curtain, "Happiness (Ashley Beedle's secret beach bossa 7" mix)" by Shawn Lee, "The Quest (Beanfield rmx)" by Attica Blues, and "TraneSpotting" by Soul FC. CD

Possibly the tightest of recent volumes of this great series of downtempo grooves and abstract beats! This volume's got a nice compressed set of tracks – featuring 11 moder groovers, about half of which are unreleased. Rainer Truby helped compile the set, and titles include "Vertigo" by Beatless, "Underwater Pressure" by Modaji, "Planet Plan (Yellow Productions Dub)" by United Future Organization, "Son Of Ra Ra" by Restless Soul, "At The Movies" by Fauna Flash, "Bateria – Latin Impressions" by Victor Simonelli, "I See The Sun" by Earth Bound, and "Diary Of A Lost Girl" by Christian Zimmermann. CD

Compost's second romp through the world of abstract vibes, drum n bass, and all things modern. 13 cutting-edge tracks that include "Nights Interlude" by Nightmares On Wax, "Bubbles & Slide" (Nightmares On Wax Mix) by Sabres Of Paradise, "Tranquilizer" by Turntable Terranova, "Sexual Attraction" by Fauna Flash, "Ry Cooder" by Tortoise, "Hector's House" by U-Ziq, and "Journey" (Aphex Twin Care Mix) by Gentle People. CD

Excellent work from one of the most important production teams of recent times! Jazzanova have sharply defined the modern European taste for Brazilian and Latin-inflected grooves on the dancefloor – beginning in the mid 90s with work for the (then) new Compost Records imprint, and working up to present days with countless remix efforts for other artists. Sadly, Jazzanova have yet to cut an album of their own work – and this double-length set is probably the best full way to experience their rich talents. It features 20 tracks in all, many with a strong Brazilian or bossa flavor, and most with a tight dancefloor approach to jazz. Titles include "We Who Are Not As Others" by 4 Hero, "Soul Power" by Marcshmellows, "Carajillo" by Truby Trio, "Get Into My Groove" by Incognito, "Amazon Adventure" by Azymuth, "Words Of Love" by Soul Bossa Trio, "Welcome To The Party" by Har-You Percussion Group, "Planet Of Breaks" by Visit Venus, "Burnin" by Tate's Place, "Toda Tersafeira" by Soul Quality Quartet, "Circe" by Ursula Rucker, "Fifths" by Ski, and "Complete Life" by Liquid Lounge – all remixed by Jazzanova! CD

Great stuff by one of our favorite European vocalists! Monika's got a light breezy style that's a mixture of Brazilian jazz and some of the European modal styles carved during the MPS era – and although this set was recorded in 1982, it's got a feel that's very much in a classic 70s vocal mode, as Monika twists and turns her way around some tracks with a very nice groove! The feel's a lot like tracks on some of the Glucklich compilations from Compost – no surprise, because Monika and her contemporaries were a very big part of those sets! Titles include "Too Fond Of Samba", "Floating", "Running", "La Danse Du Coeur", "Prayer For Newborn", and "Blues Triste". CD

A wealth of unreleased tracks by some of our favorite recent groups – and a beautiful album of tunes with a solid jazzy feel! The vibe here is right up the Compost Records alley – current European acts with a respect for all things classic, working in a modern idiom that expands older jazzy riffs into a bouquet of new musical tones, colors, and shades. About half the tracks on the set have never been released before, and the other half that have are equally enjoyable numbers pulled from hard to find import releases that you might have missed anyway! Titles include "Eternal" by Brilliant Corner, "April In Vein" by Swell Session, "Paperkites" by Odd Couple, "Hear My" by Ernesto's, "Gonky Boa" by Joi, "Striladans" by Kahuun, "Brothers & Sisters" by Universal Funk, "Tombo In 7/4" by A Bossa Electrica, "Searchin For Love" by Tony Svensson Project, "Kolor Fokus" by Butti 49, and "Tonight" by Koop. CD

In case you haven't noticed lately, the Scandinavian scene's blowing up large – and for good reason! As this set nicely documents, there's a rich array of great groups up north – groundbreaking combos with one ear towards the jazzy riffs of 70s European jazz – bringing more life and light into their work than previous Scandinavian electronicists – and creating tracks that are especially appealing to our classics-steeped ears! The feel here is tremendous – with a classic/modern counterpoint that rivals the best on Compost or Schema – and which has the added influence of decades of Scandinavian fusion, funk, modal jazz, and vocalese! Titles include "Trading Eights" by Five Corners Quintet, "Marinade" by Kahuun, "Noisuf (raw jazz take)" by Stockholm Cyclo, "Open The Door" by Elsa, "I Love You My Friends" by Hird, "Kovin Lentaen Kotin Kaipaan" by Kuusumun Profeetta, "Good & Bad" by Povo, "Logic Of Space" by Iony, and "Bloodstream" by Oddjob. CD

A fantastic compilation of jazzy and soulful grooves from Scandinavia – one that features lots of previously unissued tracks! The package was put together by the Raw Fusion team from Stockholm, but it does a good job of pulling together bits from all over the Scandinavian scene – with a special ear for tracks that are steeped in the older jazz and fusion traditions of the north, surfacing again in some of the best new music of recent years. The whole thing's great – a really really mighty package of grooves that grabs us like the best on Compost these days – and titles include "Raw" by Beatfanatic, "Little Things" by Lindberg Hemmer Foundation with Mark Murphy, "Million Ways" by Povo, "Superpower" by Damn, "Close Your Eyes" by Jan Lundgren Trio, "Late Night Junction" by Stockholm Cyclo, "Zodiac" by 3 Foot People, and "Tudo Esta Previsto" by A Bossa Eletrica. CD

More great Latin remix grooves – from one of the most popular series we've ever stocked! As with previous volumes, this set features the work of recent Latin groups and producers, remixed with a modern electronica groove – in the mode of work on Compost, Schema, and other European labels. The groove of this set's pushing past the initial format a bit – to include some of the groundbreaking work from recent Ubiquity artists – and the overall quality level is as high as ever. Titles include "Oya Ye Ye (UFO's Universo mix)" by Snowboy, "Batunova Scat" by The Amalgamation Of Sounz, "Domingo" by Loqate, "Terra Del Fuego" by Viper Squad, "Bronx Blue (Future Life rmx)" by Dave Pike, "Casa Forte (Pathless rmx)" by Snowboy, "Jazzlatinlectrofuzion" by Tempo 2, and "Espacio" by Quorum. CD

A sweet little collection from one of our favorite downtempo labels – the groundbreaking Sonar Kollektiv, a company with firm roots in the same scene as Compost Records. Jazzanova have a connection to the label, and no surprise, the sound here is similar to some of the work on the JCR/Compost label – a blend of nujazz, spare beats, and a few more soul-oriented tunes. A great sampling of work overall, most of which we don't have elsewhere – and with tracks that include "Midnight Mauraders" by Joe Dukie & Fitchie, "Somebody New" by Georg Levin & Clara Hill, "Run (Seiji mix)" by Micatone, "Caprice" by Extended Spirit, "Toda Tersafeira (Jazzanova rework)" by Soul Quality Quartet, "Using Splashes" by Forss, "How To Find Royal Jelly" by Lost Skrolls Of Harmaric, and "Outta Space (Meitz mix)" by Daniel Paul. CD

A whole new genre of soul music – all pulled together by the legendary Rainer Trueby – famous global DJ, and the guiding force behind Compost Records for many many years! This set's all older work, a mix of rare and familiar soul records from the late 70s and early 80s – but Trueby focuses on tunes that have a mellower vibe, yet still "glide" along with the rhythms – this beautiful blend of spacey soul and gentle funk, often with keyboards as a lead instrument, which makes for some sweet moogy touches along the way! We knew a fair bit of these tunes before, but they sound especially wonderful together – a great endorsement not just for Trueby, but also for the importance of a well-done compilation like this. Titles include "Lover's Holiday" by Crystal Winds, "Sweetness" by Cast, "Makin Love In The Fast Lane" by Mellaa, "Nature Boy" by Ray & James, "Next To Me" by Bridge, "Just A Little More" by Fifth Of Heaven, "Lady Of The Night" by Les Hooper, "Camouflage" by Ambiance, "It Ain't No Big Thing" by Donna McGhee, "Memories Of Moments" by Demo Cates, "Without Love" by Peter Brown, and "Dust To Dust" by Cloud One. LP, Vinyl record album

A whole new genre of soul music – all pulled together by the legendary Rainer Trueby – famous global DJ, and the guiding force behind Compost Records for many many years! This set's all older work, a mix of rare and familiar soul records from the late 70s and early 80s – but Trueby focuses on tunes that have a mellower vibe, yet still "glide" along with the rhythms – this beautiful blend of spacey soul and gentle funk, often with keyboards as a lead instrument, which makes for some sweet moogy touches along the way! We knew a fair bit of these tunes before, but they sound especially wonderful together – a great endorsement not just for Trueby, but also for the importance of a well-done compilation like this. Titles include "Lover's Holiday" by Crystal Winds, "Sweetness" by Cast, "Makin Love In The Fast Lane" by Mellaa, "Nature Boy" by Ray & James, "Next To Me" by Bridge, "Just A Little More" by Fifth Of Heaven, "Lady Of The Night" by Les Hooper, "Camouflage" by Ambiance, "It Ain't No Big Thing" by Donna McGhee, "Memories Of Moments" by Demo Cates, "Without Love" by Peter Brown, and "Dust To Dust" by Cloud One. CD

The German studio geniuses go to town on some of the best work of the late 90s – remixing a host of tracks that range from the junglist musings of Birtish artists like Roni Size and Alex Reece, to the jazzier riffings of the Compost crew. Remixed titles include "Heroes" by Roni Zie, "Rollin On Chrome" by Afrodelics, "Eastwest" by Mama Oliver, "Donaueschinge" by Rainer Truby Trio, "Going Under" by Rocker's Hi Fi, "Where Shall I Turn" by Sin, "Jazz Master" by Alex Reece, "Speechless" by Count Bassic, and "Bug Powder Dust" by Bomb The Bass. Heck, these guys even make us like Depeche Mode on their remix of "Useless"! CD

Duo recording by the two pianists, with titles including "On Green Dolphin Street", "Tea For Two" and the original compostions "Prelude", "Chromatics", "Wende", and "sonata For Two Pianos". LP, Vinyl record album