i have never stopped listening to my total comps. and i play the newer ones on spotify when i'm playing my PS4 video game. i would buy them for sure on CD if i ever went anywhere that had them.
― scott seward, Wednesday, 14 June 2017 19:25 (seven years ago) link
every kompakt mix and cd i own has been played at least 50 times or more. still some sort of gold standard. definitely way up on a mountain as far as cd sound goes.
― scott seward, Wednesday, 14 June 2017 19:27 (seven years ago) link
Yeah the Kompakt runs are pretty incredible. My girlfriend is a Pop Ambient fiend in particular.
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 14 June 2017 19:43 (seven years ago) link
need to hear more of those
been playing that Soundworks 2CD "best of cumbia" set a lot, also some of the Mississippi Records mixtapes. and the Soul Jazz "Saturday Night Fish Fry" comp, I love that thing.
― sleeve, Wednesday, 14 June 2017 19:58 (seven years ago) link
http://tristeshumanistes.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/va-this-wine-is-good-but-i-miss-my.html
not compilations per se, but the mixtapes hosted on this blog are very well curated and have been really doing it for me recently; found a ton of stuff through this guy
― suicide commando, Wednesday, 14 June 2017 20:08 (seven years ago) link
Current favourite compilations are these:
Garage Trax - The Sound of New York Garage 1, 2, 3https://www.discogs.com/Various-Garage-Trax-1-The-Sound-Of-New-York-Garage/release/349025https://www.discogs.com/Various-Garage-Trax-2-The-Sound-Of-New-York-Garage/master/232402https://www.discogs.com/Various-Garage-Trax-3-The-Garage-Sound-Of-Easy-Street-Records/master/97768
Not sure how authentic they are to club sounds in NY in the mid-late 80s but they contain some great tracks. The compilations have been put out on a UK label with no notes. many recognisable production names: Blaze, Paul Simpson, Marshall Jefferson, Timmy Regisford.
― mmmm, Wednesday, 14 June 2017 20:44 (seven years ago) link
As for current comps, this is what I've listened to most in the last year. Starts off with the saddest song I have ever heard, "I Concealed Myself".
http://www.folkways.si.edu/uzbekistan-echoes-of-vanished-courts/world/music/album/smithsonian
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA_n9MX5zCM
― Mungolian Jerryset (bendy), Wednesday, 14 June 2017 20:45 (seven years ago) link
"He Suffered", "Andiojoni Listening to God", "Uyghur Fantasy" the whole thing is pretty kvlt.
― Mungolian Jerryset (bendy), Wednesday, 14 June 2017 20:48 (seven years ago) link
anything Bob Stanley touches turns to gold afaict, i've got most of the Saint Etienne comps and those UK folk comps from a few years back as well (Early Morning Hush and Gather In the Mushrooms.) plus Velvet Tinmine.
the Young Marco-curated comp Welcome to Paradise: Italian Dream House 1989-1993 is ridiculously good.
― nomar, Wednesday, 14 June 2017 21:15 (seven years ago) link
THis was quite good, heard it for the first time today. Playlist of turn of the 790s heavy stuff by the Guerssen labelhttps://open.spotify.com/user/guerssen/playlist/0bILp8nIeIGr0pvgQiKiKl?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open&play=true
― Stevolende, Wednesday, 14 June 2017 21:23 (seven years ago) link
my favorite right now is probably this 100% silk comp from 2015https://100percentsilk.bandcamp.com/album/sunset-silk
― brimstead, Thursday, 15 June 2017 00:53 (seven years ago) link
i'm not sure if it's out on disk/tape though
― brimstead, Thursday, 15 June 2017 00:57 (seven years ago) link
a couple months ago i realized my grounding in pre-beatles rock was really weak and went looking for some chart rock that went beyond the standard time-life stuff. wound up listening to a series on ace records called "the golden age of american rock 'n roll". those germans know what the hell they're doing. bear family does good stuff too. the doo wop comps i have are from the "explosive doo-wops" series on buffalo bop - yes, yes, yes, germans.
― Frank Ocean is the Ultimate Solution (rushomancy), Thursday, 15 June 2017 01:15 (seven years ago) link
Usually at least one Rough Guide among each year's constants---the ones to African Disco and Ethiopian Jazz, for inst. This year I'm getting schooled by Rough Guide To Jugband Blues, with much wider and deeper musical and emotional range than expected.
― dow, Thursday, 15 June 2017 01:52 (seven years ago) link
The Golden Era of Doo-Wops series kills
I only have one of these but it's completely glorious in every way
off and on, compilation CDs are my favorite things in the world. I would say for about four months out of every year they are my favorite thing.
― People like Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr, and (Joan Crawford Loves Chachi), Thursday, 15 June 2017 02:04 (seven years ago) link
Rhino's Doo-Wop boxes (the "101" series) were my gateway drug for that stuff, I still listen to those
― sleeve, Thursday, 15 June 2017 02:39 (seven years ago) link
this old harlem doo-wop comp is urgent and key and highly recommended if you ever see it while digging through the stacks. one of my favorite things that Collectables ever put out.
https://www.discogs.com/Various-The-Doo-Wop-Era-Harlem-NY/release/10305925
― scott seward, Thursday, 15 June 2017 03:08 (seven years ago) link
along with the rockabilly stuff i got this week i also got several doo wop and vocal best-ofs and comps and i will definitely be playing them this week. even vocal group bootlegs with generic 12-inch covers! hardcore stuff. i got great blues comps too. some nice yazoo stuff. a feast of records.
― scott seward, Thursday, 15 June 2017 03:13 (seven years ago) link
I have had Rhino's Legends of Guitar Surf Vol. 1 and Rock Instrumental Classics Vol.5 Surf since they came out new and have listened to them boodles of times over the years. Don't think but there are a couple of songs overlap on them.
― earlnash, Thursday, 15 June 2017 03:13 (seven years ago) link
I have The Very Best of Red Bird/Blue Cat Records - labels founded by Leiber & Stoller. 15 prime cuts from 1964-1966 that hit the spot when I get that girl group jones.
― that's not my post, Thursday, 15 June 2017 04:32 (seven years ago) link
And there are lots of great trucking song comps. There was one from the mid-90s called Rig Rock Deluxe that had a mix of oldies and remakes. Great stuff.
― that's not my post, Thursday, 15 June 2017 04:40 (seven years ago) link
Rhino's two rockabilly/'50s rock 'n' roll boxes, Loud, Fast & Out of Control and Rockin' Bones, are amazing. I wrote about Rockin' Bones for the Voice years ago.
― grawlix (unperson), Thursday, 15 June 2017 12:17 (seven years ago) link
I picked up a lot of those Charly single artist compilations when they were reissued or repackaged about 5 years ago and have several bits of that in the mix on my walkklman.Trying to think what the full length various artists R'n'r/Rockabilly set I got back in 2010 was, not sure where it would be either. Some cool alternative r'n'r label anyway with a lot of great stuff on.Also really liked the Proper HIllbilly Boogie box as well as Bebop Spoken Here, Farewell To Ireland both of which I have bits of on that walkman so get to hear frequently.
― Stevolende, Thursday, 15 June 2017 13:07 (seven years ago) link
That is there wasa series of rock'n'roll compilations taht I think were already out with different covers, included Sonny Burgess, Warren Smith, Billy Lee Riley Jack Scott,Johnny Burnette and most of the usual suspects. I think I got their Gene Vincent set as well.
Been meaning to pick up recent compilations of Charlie Feathers and Jody Reynolds but keep not doing so when i have money.
― Stevolende, Thursday, 15 June 2017 13:35 (seven years ago) link
That reminds me -- easily one of the best compilation series of the 21st century was the "Lux and Ivy's Favorites" compilations, created by Kogar the Swinging Ape over the years
https://www.reddit.com/r/vintageobscura/comments/2jzmf4/lux_and_ivys_favorites_17_volume_compilation_of/
Eschews genre focus for sheer appreciation and range.
― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 15 June 2017 14:07 (seven years ago) link
oh yeah, those are so much fun
― sleeve, Thursday, 15 June 2017 14:15 (seven years ago) link
^^^ yeah, I've listened to those a lot. Lux and Ivy had great taste.
Wanted to mention the two "Cosimo Matassa Story" collections on Proper. Essential New Orleans R&B.
― smug dinner-jazz atrocity (Dan Peterson), Thursday, 15 June 2017 15:17 (seven years ago) link
I agree that Cherry Red has taken over the mantle of chief compiler from Rhino in terms of broad box sets (the new "Action Time Vision" punk oddities box is great). Labels like Soul Jazz are fantastic for the more specialized comps.
I find I have two distinct uses for comps:- Overviews of scenes, eras, styles or genres are extremely useful and those are the ones I keep.- Overviews of labels, radio station comps, and give-aways are typically used for R&D and are disposed of after picking out the artists I want to investigate further.
Some of my favorites:
Swing Jazz:Swing That Music (Smithsonian 4CD box): http://www.allmusic.com/album/swing-that-music-smithsonian-mw0000103793The Swing Era (Charly Records 4CD box): https://www.musik-sammler.de/media/482625/Very little overlap between these two, they capture the big names, the best tunes and a great overview of the era
Pre-rock: The First Rock And Roll Record: a fascinating companion to the similarly titled bookThe Roots of Rock'n'Roll: a much more linear overview of the jump blues and hillbilly songs that melted into the rock'n'roll pot
50's rock:Loud, Fast & Out Of Control: includes rockabilly staples as well as r&b and balladsRockin' Bones: focuses on the wildest up-tempo rockabillyEssential Rockabilly (10 volumes): 2CD sets each covering one label: Capitol, Columbia, Decca, Dot, Imperial, King, Mercury, MGM, RCA, Sun, a hell of a lot cheaper than the Bear Family "That'll Flat Git It" series which takes a similar approach
60's garage & psych:Nuggets: the mother of all modern compilations, the box set expands the original LP very wellNuggets II: I like this even more as it adds more psych and expands coverage to a global view (though really mostly UK)Acid Drops, Spacedust & Flying Saucers: the best psych overview without getting too silly or jammy for my tastesInsane Times: a nice companion to "Acid Drops"Uptight Tonight: a nice companion to the "Nuggets" box, a little overlap but outstanding selections
70's pop fluff:Have A Nice Day (25 volumes!): Brings back many childhood memories as my mother had the top 40 station on all day
Krautrock:Deutsche Elektronische MusikDeutsche Elektronische Musik Vol. 2: two 2CD sets from Soul Jazz covering most of the big names (but not Kraftwerk) with a handful of second tier artistsKollektion 01 - Sky RecordsKollektion 04 - Bureau B: two different looks into the genre, the first from Tim Gane and the second from Richard Fearless. An excellent breadth and depth overview.
Punk - I've got a ton of these, the absolute best are:1-2-3-4 - Punk & New Wave: A great overview of the UK scene and how things changed very quickly from 1976 to 1979DIY: 9 volumes covering the US and UK punk and power pop scenes, these are what got me started digging deeperNo Thanks! The '70s Punk Rebellion: a more focused set similar to the individual DIY volumesPunk 45: 7 volumes and counting from Soul Jazz, leans towards the obscure but totally worthy
Power Pop:Poptopia!: 3 volumes, one each for the 70s, 80s and 90s.The Roots Of Power Pop: compiled by it's greatest advocate, Greg Shaw.Yellow Pills - Prefill: my favorite Numero release, the nuggets of power pop.
New Wave:Just Can't Get Enough: 17 volumes covering almost everything you'd wantNew Wave Club Class-X: 8 volumes plus particularly cool sets dedicated to the Belgian and German scenes, plus some other reconfigurations of all of theseNDW (3CD set): covers the Neu Deutsche Welle scene about as well as I've found
Ska:The 2 Tone Collection - A Checkered Past: stonkin' classic ska-punk
Indiepop:NME C86 (3CD box): Cherry Red's expansion of the classic C86 a-la Rhino's expansion of NuggetsScared To Get Happy: another great box from Cherry Red full of twee goodness
Postpunk - this is my favorite period to pan for gold, way too many to list but there's everything from label comps to local scenes to country overviews. My favorites:7" Up: a bakers dozen of wonderful obscurities, all killer no fillerAmbition - The History Of Cherry Red Records: two discs showing the labels' 80s bestAvon Calling: one of the best single city (Bristol) comps everFrom Brussels With LoveFruit Of The Original SinGhosts Of Christmas Past: 3 comps from the Les Disques Du Crépuscule label that showcase an incredible range of creativity - spoken word, solo piano, ambient, punk + whatever-strikes-yer-fancy style postpunkIn The Beginning There Was Rhythm: early Soul Jazz comp covering dub punkMessthetics Greatest Hits: there are 10 volumes in this series but this is the most consistentMovement - BBC 1 Radio Peel Sessions 77-79: what it says on the tinNao WaveThe Sexual Life Of The Savages: two comps covering the Brazilian scenePerfect Unpop: a great dive into obscure Peel favoritesSeeds (5 volumes): classic vinyl-only sets covering Pop, Art, Rock, Punk & Electric So Young But So Cold: the best French cold wave collectionWanna Buy A Bridge: another classic postpunk primer
Australian rock:Do The Pop!: wonderful overview of the Detroit-via-Melbourne sound of the late 70sTales From The Australian Underground (2 volumes): 2CD sets covering obscurities from the late 70s and 80s
New Zealand rock - my single favorite scene ever, there's also a ton of these with any Flying Nun comp being good. The best:Flying Nun 25th Anniversary box set: 4 discs covering one-off singles, obscurities and the biggest names on the labelIt's Bigger Than Both Of Us: covers the pre-Flying Nun underground yearsShrew'd: a unique set of new material by Flying Nun womenXpressway Pile-Up: the noisy underbelly of the Flying Nun jangly scene
Alt-country - I'll rep for almost any comp on Bloodshot but these are my faves:Down To The Promised LandFor A Decade Of Sin: 5th and 10th anniversary 2CD sets full of great covers, spectacular one-offs and sampling the best of the labelPine Valley Cosmonauts - The Executioner's Last Songs (3 volumes): more fun covers and originals all about DEATH!
Single best tribute compilation:Whore (Wire tribute): no duds, all interesting interpretations, some wildly different!
There's plenty more, of course. I quite like the two volumes of "Rogue's Gallery" where underground artists do sea shanties!
Many of these came to my attention via some excellent ILM threads. Hurrah for all y'all!
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Thursday, 15 June 2017 18:26 (seven years ago) link
columbia country classics compilations are greatso is the smithsonian classic country set
― marcos, Thursday, 15 June 2017 18:28 (seven years ago) link
Thanks guys! Speaking of post-punk, this Razor & Tie collection was my intro to several bands:https://www.discogs.com/Various-Totally-Wired/release/925941
― dow, Thursday, 15 June 2017 19:42 (seven years ago) link
The Best of Music and Rhythm: 80s pop world music + Afropop
https://www.discogs.com/Various-The-Best-Of-Music-And-Rhythm/release/3258034
― Eazy, Thursday, 15 June 2017 21:15 (seven years ago) link
keb darge/cut chemist vs jump blues
https://www.discogs.com/Keb-Darge-And-Cut-Chemist-Present-Lost-And-Found-Rockabilly-And-Jump-Blues/release/1614344
it is of course rather wonderful ...
― mark e, Thursday, 15 June 2017 21:22 (seven years ago) link
Going to be searching for a few of these, especially those in music I'm unfamiliar with. I know next to nothing about Brazilian music but I picked up these four comps and they supply a soundtrack to hot weather:https://www.discogs.com/Various-Bossa-Nova-Brasil/release/5789146https://www.discogs.com/Various-Samba-Brasil/release/8292034https://www.discogs.com/Various-Afro-Brasil/release/5789124https://www.discogs.com/Various-Nordeste-Brasil/release/5790854
― mmmm, Sunday, 18 June 2017 20:38 (seven years ago) link
Several Sublime Frequencies of vintage Southeast Asian pop-rock-folk-countryoid, and Subliminal Sounds' Thai Beat A-Go-Go trilogy: Vols. 2 and 3 have more good tracks, but Vol. 1 has more great tracks. Def. rec. to those who think they know every possible permutation of mid-60s garage yadda-yadda.
― dow, Sunday, 18 June 2017 21:42 (seven years ago) link
xp mmmm, also check out a bunch of comps on Luaka Bop.
― dow, Sunday, 18 June 2017 21:44 (seven years ago) link
'nother xpost to mmmm - this thread is a goldmine: EXPRESSO 2222: the semi-official BRAZILIAN MUSIC LISTENING CLUB.
― freedom is not having to measure life with a ruler (outdoor_miner), Sunday, 18 June 2017 22:29 (seven years ago) link
i like this one a lot :
― mark e, Monday, 19 June 2017 06:49 (seven years ago) link
oh, i also like "wolf's at the door: lost recordings from the spirits of the south".
― Frank Ocean is the Ultimate Solution (rushomancy), Monday, 19 June 2017 23:25 (seven years ago) link
digging the Franklin Mint country comps so far, lots of obvious stuff and light on the deep cuts, but that's what I needed!
― sleeve, Tuesday, 20 June 2017 00:54 (seven years ago) link
https://www.discogs.com/Various-Women-Of-Rembetica/release/5510026
https://www.discogs.com/Various-Dont-Trust-Your-Neighbors-Early-Albanian-Traditional-Songs-Improvisations-1920s-1930s/release/3225034
https://www.discogs.com/Various-Excavated-Shellac-Reeds/release/7611170
https://www.discogs.com/Various-Hell-Broke-Loose-In-Georgia-Georgia-Fiddle-Bands-1927-1934/release/4035946
https://www.discogs.com/Various-The-Early-Days-Of-Bluegrass-Volume-1/release/3692930^ this entire series
― ian, Tuesday, 20 June 2017 19:49 (seven years ago) link
current compilation listening: Ego Trip's The Big Playback, on a remarkably clear vinyl copy, lots of great Old Skool hip hop; Andy Smith's The Document, which is a mix but the vinyl copy (very battered but plays fine) I picked up for £1 in a charity shop is unmixed, more hip hop and funk; and Phil Mison's Out of the Blue, Balearica loveliness and a nice vinyl edition.
― André Ryu (Neil S), Tuesday, 20 June 2017 20:40 (seven years ago) link