Various: Skampler
Skam/Silent, 1997
One of my favorite compilations is Skampler. This collection of rare tracks on the Skam label is now available in the US thanks to Silent Records. The first track, “Leaves on the Line” by Lego Feet (supposedly an early Autechre incarnation) sets the tone with complex, traditional electronic meanderings. The arpeggios and roving bassline have a retro feel to them. Next is one of my favorite pieces in the collection—“Hi Scores” by Boards of Canada. Crunchy beats accompany a beautiful understated melody. A swirling note of hope seems to emerge from the alienation of staticky machinery. I’m honestly not very fond of the brooding ”Norton Midgate” by Jega which follows. Things pick up again with the melodic “Forcasa3” by Bola. Then Gescom’s “Mag (Ae Remix)” picks up the pace even more with a funky yet menacing beat and just the right stabs.
The middle of the compilation seems fairly weak, though perhaps this is simply due to the diversity of the artists. “Keyop” by Lego Feet is nice though, once again suggesting an older era (not surprising since the track was originally released in 1991). The last two cuts are easily my favorites. “Keynell1” by Gescom has a catchy bass groove, satisfyingly crunchy beats, and elusive vocal samples scratched in for good measure. “Everything You Do Is a Balloon” by Boards of Canada is another beautiful piece with a trip-hoppy beat, deep, sustained bass, and a building melody that catches the listener by surprise. Not only that, but there’s two unlisted bonus cuts in track 13: the minimalist “Stoop” by Gescom and the silly “Tamad” by Jega. And trainspotters will love the pretentious all-black jewel box with the braille sticker on the front. Cool.
