Selection Vol.1 (Mixed By Rohan)

Followers of Traum subsidiary Trapez would probably be more than a little surprised to find out that the label's first CD release isn't a compilation of Akufen's three-volume Psychometry series. Instead, label head Riley Reinhold (aka Triple R) throws a curveball with Selection 1, an overview of the German label's Russian producers. Along with their peers -- Kompakt, Perlon, Klang, Ware, Force Tracks, Poker Flat, Playhouse, Italic -- Trapez releases fall roughly into a category that can be described as minimal house, as they use dance rhythms that aren't nearly as explosive as the ones you're likely to hear in more popular house producers, whether it's Basement Jaxx, Blaze, or even Paul Van Dyk. Vocals are frequently absent and big hooks are never present, leaving little more than the base rhythm, textures, and odd blips and snips. Selection 1 isn't the best introduction to this bountiful field (it'd be best to reach for compilations like Famous When Dead, Hypercity, Total 3, and Superlongevity first), but it proves Trapez's depth as a label, since it holds its own from beginning to end without including anything from Akufen's releases. It also shows that the field -- dominated by Germans -- is broadening with talent from other countries. SCSI-9, Lazyfish, Yura Moorush, Snooker Boy, and Multipliar provide the tracks, nearly all of which have a nocturnal and dubby edge to them. Favorite tracks are likely to change with each listen, once minute details become more evident. ~ Andy Kellman|