Kitsune Love

Sure to take its place next to Preston Love's Omaha Bar-B-Q in the ranks of recipe-referencing records, Kitsune Love includes the instrucions for a love pasta as well as 11 tracks ranging from baroque synthesizer pop to French house. The opener illustrates that this is a dance compilation like few others; it's a cover of Daft Punk's "Too Long" by Gonzales (different from the worst-MC rapper) that's more reminiscent of High Llamas than Laurent Garnier. Todd Edwards' "Thank You" is just as groovy and kinetic a track as he's known for, but a Fantastic Plastic Machine remix ("Why Not?") actually does his style one better, replacing split-second samples of Japanese video-game effects for Edwards' usual nods to East Coast house. Trevor Jackson's Playgroup contributes a dark, driving electro monster ("Hooked on U"), while "Love Lost" by Alan Braxe & Fred Falke is a solid example of atmospheric house in the Daft Punk style. With the hundreds of electronic compilations on the shelves all split into about four different types, it's a breath of fresh air to hear Kitsune Love, pounding yet playful, stylish yet never overly self-conscious, and including a raft of great tracks that rarely get the airplay they deserve. ~ John Bush