Various

Two years ago, Compost Records started up the twelve-inch Black Label series in hopes of getting their output back on dance floors for the movers and shakers to get on down to. The first volume was a success among some bigwigs (Josh Wink, Laurent Garnier, etc.), paving the way for this second compilation, which, like the first, features some legendary producers (Move D and Patrick Pulsinger), as well as new artists to the label (TJ Kong & Nuno Dos Santos and DJ Enne). Vol. 2 deftly combines acid with soul and techno with funk for tracks that are so hype they’re sure to create an inferno on any dance floor, but with beats so precise it’s as if they were chiselled with an ice pick. The album begins with the warm, acidy bass wobble, funky keys and crisp house beat of Patrick Pulsinger’s "The Clap!,” followed by Shahrokh SoundofK’s "Chicago,” which features a looped, chunky guitar riff, thick and fuzzy bass line and handclaps. But neither of these prepare you for TJ Kong’s rip-roaring "Circus Bells,” which is well over seven minutes of cow bells, a catchy synth melody and a driving beat. For all Compost fans, don’t miss the opportunity to catch twelve-inch releases nine through 18 all on one album.