Compost Records

Compost Records
Founded1993
FounderMichael Reinboth
Distributor(s)Shelter Music Group
Genre
Country of originGermany
LocationMunich
Official websitecompost-rec.com

Compost Records is a German record label based in Munich and established by Michael Reinboth in 1993.[1] The label is known for progressive downbeat dance[1] and nu jazz releases[2] incorporating influences of bossa nova, techno, and drum and bass.[3] The Future Sounds of Jazz compilation series helped establish the label early in its history.[1] The majority of artists signed to Compost Records are those known to Reinboth personally, from connections in the German downbeat club scene.[1] The company has resisted licensing its catalog to larger labels, seeking instead to develop roster reputations in-house.[4] Reinboth selected the name Compost for his label because it translates well among many languages, and felt it denoted a "catalyst for constitution and reactions".[5]

In the United States, Compost was initially distributed by K7! Distribution[1] and then by Studio Distribution, until 2002, when it switched to Shelter Music Group.[2]

The book Soul Love: 20 Years Compost Records was released in 2015, featuring text in both English and German, over 450 photographs from the history of the label, and a download code for a forty-track compilation.[6]

  1. ^ a b c d e Comer, M. Tye (8 November 1999). "Compost Records:Top German Downbeat Dance Label Comes to America". CMJ New Music Report. p. 7. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  2. ^ a b Roseberry, Craig (23 November 2002). "Kyoto Shows 'Spirit' on Compost". Billboard. p. 27.
  3. ^ Shapiro, Peter (1999). Drum 'n' Bass: The Rough Guide. Rough Guides. p. 256. ISBN 9781858284330.
  4. ^ Roseberry, Craig (6 November 1999). "Germany's Compost Fortifies Club Beats". Billboard. p. 37. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  5. ^ Sin, Jeong-Won (2014). Du bist, was du hörst: Musiklabels als Wegweiser im digitalen Zeitalter (in German). Campus Verlag. p. 291. ISBN 9783593501031.
  6. ^ TITEL kulturmagazin (2015). "20 Years Of Compost Records: An Interview with Michael Reinboth". Retrieved 19 April 2016.