Tue, 22 Dec 2009  /  Post a comment
Etoka records celebrates it's 20th release in style with a stunning compilation album. The record features many of the usual suspects, as well as welcoming some new artists to the Etoka family. Showcasing the trademark sounds which our little label is rapidly getting a big name, this is truly is a journey across planet Etoka from pole to pole.

From Paskal's atmospheric and insistent opening track 'About You', to Hannes Smith's hauntingly beautiful outro 'Gutenachkuss', this record gives a great representation of what Etoka is all about. Restrained, rolling deep house numbers give way to emotive electronic soundscapes, cold but inviting, a perfect companion to help navigate the winter on our world...

The second track, Deymare's 'No Deeper Meaning', rolls and pulses hypnotically, with subtle touches of jazz trumpet and piano barely audible behind a wall of pads. Andy Hart's 'White Dew' follows in more traditional deep house style with classic pads and steadily building percussion, sounding like the soundtrack to an arctic dawn.

Fourth comes Fassbinder's 'Ask My Heart', which drops the tempo whilst adding a chunk of drama to proceedings. Beautiful and subtle but with a definite edge, rhodes piano, sawing synths and crashing percussion lift this track well out of the ordinary. Next up, Jaksa Pavicevic's 'Righteously So Not', which wobbles us into almost euphoric territory with its soaring melodic synths, swooshing percussion and an achingly beautiful saxophone.

We continue on our journey with 'Incubus' by Jose Quilez, bringing us sharply back down to earth and onto the dance floor with killer percussion and powerful synths. Verano's sublime 'Sweep' comes next, bringing with it tension and mystery in spades. Stuttering beats and spooky basslines underpinned with driving percussion hold the attention for a full 8 minutes and 38 seconds, then suddenly it's over...

'My Keepsake' by Sumsuch continues the moody atmosphere, at least through it's dark and driving intro, after which it suddenly opens into a powerfully positive, life affirming piece of music. Warm keys and strings tug gently at the heartstrings, falter, then disappear amid tribal percussion. The tempo drops significantly in our penultimate track Si Muir's 'Smoke And Mirrors', clunking us down to dark, robotic, disco territory. Hypnotic, plodding and pulsating while the percussion clicks and clacks in perfect time, this is definitely one for the early morning.

Painstakingly compiled by label boss Artette, this is a compilation album which truly must be listened to from beginning to end to be fully appreciated. We hope you enjoy your journey across planet Etoka, and hope you'll fly with us again in the near future...