(07.27.06) Compilations on small record labels are always interesting, mainly due to
the vast amount of unknown names that start back from the reverse of the
jewel case. The Summer Compilation just released on Belladonna Records is
a good example of this. On scanning through the nineteen tracks on offer
only one name stands to recognition, Lackluster, the rest are virtually
unheard of. This can be a worry with some compilations, but it can also be a
blessing in disguise. But which is it with the Summer Compilation?
Belladonna is a small electronic label based in Madison, U.S. Like so many
tiny record labels dotted across America, compilations are by far the best
means by which Belladonna can showcase its talent. The album opens with
“Chinese Burn” by 7 Pin Dinner, and unknown electronic track. A playfully
happy blippy excursion, “Chinese Burn” opens the Summer Compilation well.
Sadly the next track by 21 Hertz is little to write home about and puts the
album back the one space it had advanced. Nonetheless, the album does pick
up again with Nix’s “Sunflower Meets Me” which is a gorgeously lush epic of
an electronic piece; a track with a real digitalised Boards of Canada feel.
Chair Crusher continues down this line of relaxed electronic melody,
carrying on the chirpy bird. The compilation maintains this relaxed, laid
back electronic feel. Deep soothing melodies, lazy beats and echoing sound
arrangements make for a light and refreshing feel for the first half of the
album.
It is Esa Ruoho who, not so much breaks this stream of easy electronica but
tweaks it. Track 10, Lackluster once again opting for a date-titled track,
“04/04/02” is a much more beat laden track. It is still a wonderfully light
and cheerful Summer outing, but the crisp snares that Ruoho has opted for
make for a nice change from the beatless tracks that preceded. The next
track, “Field” by Room follows down the same path that Ruoho has started.
“Field” is another wonderfully melodic piece of IDM, but a stiff solid beat
helps to draw the listener out of the intoxicating keys – a great track.
Then, just as the album is tipping along track 13 and Justin McGrath with
“The Night that Laid Still” begins out the speakers. Sublime is the only way
to describe the piece. A wonderfully heartfelt track with deep meaningful
keys and eerily beautiful string pangs. A sumptuous song by an artist that
definitely should be kept an eye on by all electronica fans for the future.
The only qualm that can be had with such a superb piece is that it ends to
abruptly.
The flow almost appears to trail off for a short period of time after McGrath’s
fantastic piece. It might be in the wake of “The Night that Laid Still” that
the next few tracks, though very nice electronic works, seem of little
interest. The album moves to lush electronic harmony once more with
Hellzapop and “Green Drop.” A track of simple piano keys and beats, but with
an unmistakable elegance and beauty. Summer Compilation finishes with Adam
the Tree with “Slow Seduction,” a hazy early Autumn style track. Echoes and
loops are the basis of this number, resulting in a dizzyingly heady and
relaxing laid back climax to the album.
The Summer Compilation achieves what it means to do, create some nice
warm tracks for when the weather, and people’s moods, gets better. A lot of
the opening section of the album is enjoyable, but after a while, and on
repeated listens, the tracks seem to lose what they once had. The real gems
of the compilation are found after Lackluster’s track. The pieces by Justin
McGrath and Unusable Signal are the real stand out works of the album. It is
tough for smaller labels, and it always will be, but this album is a well
worked out assemblage of artists and style. The switch in styles midway
through the album is interesting as well as refreshing, it shows that
Belladonna is a label not afraid to take a turn in the road once in a while.
The Summer Compilation is a well thought out, well structured and quite
well executed album that offers up some high quality electronica. The
album’s only let down is that some of the tracks, such as that by 21 Hertz,
is just sub par. Nevertheless, the album spells good things for the label’s
future and its artists.
Summer Compilation is out now on Belladonna Records.
