Info Label: Cadenza Rel. date: 05th Nov 07 Cat No: CADCD02 Reviewer: Adam Slowinski Reviewed: 05th Nov 07 Format: CD Rating: Tracklisting CD1 - Cadenza Contemporary 0.1 Argenis Brito – Amplified Digitaline – Honolulu (Digitaline’S Kamehameha) Petre Inspirescu – Racakadoom Luciano&Digitaline– Honolulu (Luciano’S Liliukalani) Andomat 3000 & Jan – L Delay Rhadoo – Woa Ovuls Petre Inspirescu – Galantar Alejandro Vivanco – Madre Tierra Luciano – Tonerres Pikaya – Fango CD 2 - Cadenza Classics Luciano & Quenum – Orange Mistake Luciano & Pier Bucci – Amael Quenum & Lee Van Dowski – Extension Lucicano & Serafin – Funk Excursion N.S.I. – Max Binski Luciano - Bomberos Player

Initially set up to release one and only one record (Luciano and Quanum’s 'Orange Mistake'), Cadenza would go on to become one of the most important and forward thinking techno labels of the past few years along with Minus and Wagon Repair, the releases of which have had an enormous influence on the shaping of many a electronic music lover‘s taste. After a little over twenty fantastic official releases (try finding an average track in its catalogue), the label is giving its fans the opportunity to take a look back to the very beginning and to take a look forward into the future.

'Cadenza Classics' is an unmixed compilation made up of the first six additions to Luciano and Serafin’s label’s catalogue. Despite not being the biggest fans of such discs, this time around I was very much delighted by what I heard. Each and every one of the tracks has stood the very difficult test of time and, what’s more, are as much of a joy to listen to as they were when I first came across them the first time around a few years back. 'Bomberos' still sounds great, 'Orange Mistake' still amazes and the beats and funky bassline on 'Funk Excursion' remain to be second to none to this day. One really can't ask for more.

The second part of the package is a mixed compilation which includes the last six releases from the Swiss label, plus a small bonus in the form of a slightly more than a minute long “sample“ of one of the tools from Cadenza's Split Composition series. The CD is predominantly made up of tracks by young, extremely talented but yet to become very well known artist from all over the world who follow a similar musical path as the one Cadenza has followed from its conception. However, the only thing they actually present is brilliant navigation of these paths and not something fresh. I can’t see most of them becoming classics in the years to come, but getting to know them definitely won’t do you any harm.

Both are worth recommending, although personally I much prefer the older, more experimental Cadenza which helped define the present day take on the genre that is minimal techno.

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