Back catalogue: Minimal/Tech House

Review: After 32 years promoting a distinctive blend of off-kilter Cologne techno, mind-altering minimalism, ambient pop and trippy tech-house, Kompakt Records has notched up 499 releases. It makes sense, then, that the long-serving German label would be keen to mark release number 500 with something suitably special. They've done just that, offering up a lovingly produced box set that does a fantastic job of celebrating the imprint's journey to date. There are five, differently coloured discs packed with (mostly edited) versions of lesser-known early gems and Kompakt classics, plus a bonus picture disc containing 50 locked grooves, and a 100-page, 10" hardback book telling the label's story to date. It's an incredible product all told, one blessed with a host of electronic household names - The Orb, Laurent Garnier, John Tejada, DJ Koze - and deeper cut, cementing the label's status as a gamechangers and pack leaders.

Review: Barcelona-based label Exarde's latest compilation gathers a select group of producers whose intricate, cold minimalism defines the label's identity. From the jagged percussion of Kvrk's 'Access Denied' to the hypnotic rhythm of C.ru.z's 'Tecno-Logico', each track offers something different yet unmistakably rooted in Exarde's vision. J6's 'Cyber Crisis' injects an anxious energy, while Sancra's 'Obscure Consciousness' offers an immersive experience, drawing you into its murky depths. As TrascendAnce's 'Whathehell' dissolves and reforms, rhythms begin to shift in unpredictable ways, leading to Dissocietisociety's 'Oda A D.houle', where a metallic sheen gives way to a stripped-back, almost clinical production. Nicolas Longo's contribution pares everything back, reducing the sound to its essential components. Curity's closer delivers an uncompromising, propulsive end, capping off a collection that feels both cohesive and meticulously crafted.

Review: Longplay II: 10 Years Anniversary Compilation is a monumental six-record box set that celebrates a decade of cutting-edge mininalist techno. From the hypnotic rhythms of Cezar's 'Nkv2' on Side-1 to the atmospheric 'Nochi' by Denis Korablev on Side 12, each side brings its unique flavour. Tracks like Vincentiulian's 'Owowow' and SIT's 'Internal Network' showcase intricate, minimal soundscapes that are both cerebral and dancefloor-ready. The compilation also includes standout moments like Alci's "Man Studer" with its deep, pulsating basslines, and Ben Neville's 'Good Techno Stops Time', a testament to the timeless nature of the genre.