Search - Various Artists :: Offering

From the innovative X-Mix video series to the even more innovative DJ Kicks series, Germany's Studio K7 label has established itself as a forward-thinking record label, covering genres as wide as the smooth Detroit sounds of Sean Deason and the dubwise darkness of Rockers Hi-Fi. Although this may seem disjointed and unpredictable, the label's output is consistently solid and accessible. Offering, part of a series of compilations outlining the K7 aesthetic, takes a distinctively downtempo turn; while the first Offering featured a strong techno slant, this compilation is weirder and slower, with acts like Shantel, Terranova, and Smith & Mighty. Shantel's "Tell Me Why" and "Philosophy" introduce the listener to Steven Hantel's kitschy Stereolabish sounds, while tracks from Terrence Parker and Sample O.S. provide a rougher take on the hip-hop/house sound. Newcomers Terranova and Khao offer a distinctly European take on trip-hop, with densely produced tracks that bring in elements of jazz and electronic music. While it's best to check out all of K7's material, this compilation is a fine starting point for exploring the best of what electronic music has to offer. --Matthew Corwine