The latest instalment in the DJ Kicks series leans on the cinematic, blissful and far-reaching stoke of Berlin-based producer Apparat. This is a lengthy 24 track compilation that sees a very talented producer’s urge to look beyond his normal recognisable sounds in favour of a spectrum of electronic music, which takes influence from the likes of IDM, techo and electro.

Opening with Apparat’s own beautifully epic ‘Circles’, a track that builds slowly until a climatic drop of euthopihic technoish dance, the release also includes tracks by Oval, Autechre and Tom Yoke as well as Telflon Tel Aviv. It’s worth mentioning that ‘Circles’ is one of two, the other being ‘Sayulita’, productions from Apparat exclusive to the mix.

Stay locked in session long enough and you’ll even be rewarded, amongst others, with a Burial and Four Tet mouth-watering unison in the shape of ‘Moth’. Just like a full case of Viagra the kick is tremendously thumping.
The master of builds, Joy Orbison’s ‘The Shrew Would Have Cushioned the Blow’ is a big treat here too with a very welcome injection of 2 step garage.

If you’re allergic to the deep bounce of genres like house, techno and electro the release is certain to irritate, but for the rest of us with a semi-open mind—smiles all round as we wallow in the variation this series offers. It’s a great place to understand the beauty the lies within a arm of music you might be unfamiliar with. The release also affirms DJ Kicks continuity as the main stamp of athority within the mix bracket which has sourced for its participants as diversely as James Holden, KODE 9 and Juan Maclean.

Words Ali Raymond
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