Tempo Technik Teamwork CD - Import

A combination of new and previously released tracks, Tempo Technik Teamwork serves as a showcase for the increasingly ambitious Staubgold label and its often excellent roster. Though originally more focused on electronic/IDM approaches, Staubgold's shift encompasses everything from modern laptop shoegaze and installation music to calm piano balladry and delicate, dark singer/songwriter efforts. If not everything is flat-out spectacular on Tempo Technik Teamwork, the winners surface much more often than not. It doesn't hurt that the compilation starts with a stone-cold winner in an edit of "Now Right Here" by Minit -- a beautiful combination of Spectrum-styled drone haze and a simple but exultant bassline, it's proof that bliss-out is by no means dead and buried. Many of the choices succeed in passing a key test for a compilation -- exciting interest in wanting to hear more. Thus there's Mapstation's minimal, strong backing for Ras Donovan's toasting on "Be True," Sun's folky, warm electronic fog "Help Yourself" (very reminiscent of the underrated Bristol band Light), the Faust versus ...