• Special feature: Kompakt 10 via Pitchfork

For the past decade, Cologne's Kompakt has been the pre-eminent techno label in the world. Emerging in the late-1990s-- at a time in which techno itself was the province of a cabal of Detroit devotees with a conservative, narrow definition of their scene-- Kompakt used the 4/4 thump of the dancefloor as a means rather than an end. Label owners Wolfgang Voigt (Gas, Mike Ink), Michael Mayer, and Jürgen Paape created a central, branded imprint willing to release any and all sounds that took their fancy. Over the years, that has included ambient washes, hands-in-the-air electro-pop, thumping floor-fillers, and above all microhouse, a minimal take on house in which elements of rhythm are often glitches, whirrs, and clicks rather than more traditional mechanistic drums.

Today, Kompakt is a mini-empire. Its "act local, think global" approach has resulted in 16-person company that runs not only the label and website but also handles distribution, one of the world's largest techno record stores, a booking agency, and a publishing arm. In addition, compatriot Tobias Thomas handles a monthly Total Confusion residency in the label's hometown of Cologne. Meanwhile, the label is home to an international all-star team of dance artists, from not only Germany (the label's owners, as well as Superpitcher, DJ Koze, Justus Köhncke, Jörg Burger, Thomas Fehlmann, Sascha Funke, Dettinger, and many more), but also Sweden (the Field), Brazil (Gui Boratto), Chile (Matías Aguayo), Japan (Kaito), Iceland (GusGus), and the UK (Rex the Dog, the Orb).

Kompakt - The Early 20 Years mp3

Tracklist (with commentary from Michael Mayer)

1. All: "Alltag 1"
It's appropriate to start this journey with the godfather: All is Wolfgang Voigt's first appearance on Kompakt. "Alltag 1" still breathes the spirit of the Profan era and marks the birth of the Pop Ambient concept.
2. Ehlert & Lohberger: "Vito E.P. 2"
This is the most overlooked record in our catalog. Nobody liked it at the time-- except Wolfgang and myself. If I received this demo today, I'd sign them right away! One of many records we've released knowing it would be a flop but that we'd made a statement.
3. Dettinger: "Totentanz 1"
Dettinger's ambient long players, Intershop and Oasis, became our first true "classics." His 4/4 works are lesser-known but as revolutionary as the rest. Today, "Totentanz" still sounds shockingly modern and it somehow predates the whole Kuduro/UK Funky movement with its harsh digital dancehall vibe.
4. Sascha Funke: "Safety First 4"
Sascha Funke released his first records with us. His father (a Berliner) was a diehard supporter of Cologne's soccer club and little Sascha inherited the same passion. He'll drive a Ford because the cars are manufactured in Cologne, and he'll play Cologne techno on its stereo. We love Sascha.
5. Peter Grummich: "Schleusen Auf 2"
Another visitor from Berlin. "Schleusen Auf" sounds like an old, rattling subway on pretty decent drugs. I just put this one right back into my record crate...a timeless piece of confusing techno.
6. Schaeben & Voss: "Tombo's Revenge"
Aside from running the ever-excellent Firm label, these guys recorded some of the most dirty and "out there" tunes during Kompakt's early days. They're a snotty techno band with an amazing live show.
7. Jürgen Paape: "So Weit Wie Noch Nie (Ata's Playhouse Mix)"
The original version-- a tantalizing hybrid of German schlager and house-- was released on Total 3. For the 12" single release we requested a remix from our good old friend, Ata from Playhouse/Robert Johnson in Frankfurt. He did what he does best: music for late night girls.
8. Leandro Fresco: "Cera Uno"
This one may very well end up in my Kompakt all-time top 10. Leandro Fresco lives and works in Buenos Aires and he created a monster. All cuts on this EP are just unearthly and beautiful, particularly the ambient ones.
9. Superpitcher: "Heroin"
No words necessary here...just a little advertising for his new album coming up in February. It's going to be a.w.e.s.o.m.e.!
10. Dorau / Köhncke: "Durch Die Nacht (Geiger Mix)"
One of the kinkiest records on our Kompakt Pop offshoot featuring two of the most notorious German disco-teers. The Geiger remix turned out to be the gem...I'm still playing this out a lot.
11. Closer Musik: "2 the Beat 2 the Rock"
Matias Aguayo and Dirk Leyers gave birth to Kompakt classics like "Maria" and "One Two Three (No Gravity)". When the duo broke up, the girls in Cologne wore black for the rest of that year. The track featured here perfectly documents Aguayo's daredevil approach in production.
12. Lawrence: "Teaser"
We've been in love with the Hamburg-based Dial label and its protagonists Lawrence, Carsten Jost, and Pantha du Prince since day one. Bringing Romy Schneider to the techno floor is something that had to be done and nobody could have done it with more class than Lawrence.