Various Artists — Check The Water

Check the water is a double cd ,that takes in the last ten years of the leaf label. Just about every track has something to offer and there’s a nice shift in styles too. Like all good label compilations, it makes you want to go   and check of the full length albums, of tracks you like.

The first disk spans from 1995 to 2001 and is more instrumental in nature. From the great opening track; Boymerang’s The Don (Edit) with a blissful, melodic beat structure, starts thing’s off in a nice mellow groove.Other highlights from the first disk include the edgy xylophone lead filmatics of A Small good thing’s El Mariachi loco (The Siesta) .The heady looped Rhodes piano riff of  Four Tet’s  Field which kicks in later with some layers of extra percussion and a neat female singing sample.

The Second disk covers the years from 2002 to 2005, which includes a few old favourites of mine. Like Boom Bip and Dose one’s-  The BirdCatchers Return from their landmark collaboration. Which wonderful showcases Dose Ones,  vocal dexterity to wrap word  puzzles, Around Boom Bip’s twisting and turning beat work. And the heroic string tinged, glitcy pop of Efterkang’s Step Aside.
Other Highlights includes; Colleen’s Babies with it’s dreamy floating on a cloud ambience, with feeling of childhood wonder. And  the hypnotic ,smoky beats and jazz of Icarus Skate Slug.

All in all ,one of the better label samplers I’ve come across. A great introduction to a great label and at a special cheap price too.