Started in Munich, Germany 13 years ago by Michael Reinboth, Compost Records quickly developed into what superstar DJ Gilles Peterson described as “the most consistent and forward thinking record label of continental Europe”.  Freshly Composted, Volume 2 marks Compost’s 250th release, and leaves no doubt why Herr Reinboth has been so successful over the years.  The disc starts off on a high note with an epic remix of “Tides” by Beanfield, produced by Detroit legend Carl Craig.  Clocking in at nearly 10 minutes, the track starts with a bubbly bass line and slowly builds into a classic house workout.  Next up, the funky “Shanti Dance” by Muallem segues nicely into the Balearic bliss of “Whistling in Tongues” by Felix Laband, remixed by Todd Terje.  The typically eclectic track listing also features twisted electro-waltz (“Mangia Amore” by Marsmobil), a tribute to classic jazz (the Shirley Horn-sampling “Forgotten Places” by Alif Tree), laid-back proto-funk (“Jesus Was a B-Boy” by Ben Mono), and winds up with a trio of heavily jazz-influenced tracks by Harvey Lindo, Soil & Pimp, and Koop.  Truly a cosmopolitan affair, the disc features acts from Sweden, Japan, the U.S., and everywhere in between, showing why Compost is consistently on the cutting edge of contemporary electronica.  I’m looking forward to the next 250 releases!

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