Selador – ADE Sampler

Label: Selador RecordsScore: 7.5/10 

Selador Recordings’ 2013 ADE Collection displays a solid balance by incorporating emerging tech house talent such as Han Haak and SEFF alongside prolific veterans like Robert Babicz and G-Pal.  The compilation, a preview of sounds the label will be showcasing at this year’s vibrant five day Amsterdam Dance Event kicking off October 16th, encapsulates the deep house to techno range the Selador label has championed since its April, 2013 launch.

Fade Records boss Chris Fortier kicks things off with the dubby, chopped-up vocal and heavy bass of “Talk about the Music.”  The universal elements give the house track a timeless quality and a versatility to work in a variety of sets and styles.  Following up their “Raw Symphony” release late last year for Cocoon on the Dots and Pearls II compilation, Danito and Agent! deliver “Sinco Sin” with its sleazy surf guitar riffage and Fatboy-sized filter mayhem.        

German duo Piemont has crafted a gem of almost Kollektiv Turmstrasse proportions with their clunky, organic percussion and subtle melodic touches on “Been Around.”  It’s a step forward from last month’s “Give It Up” single for the Selador label while SEFF’s “Visions” feels like a more compact, less dangerous B-side to Maxxi Soundsystem’s “Stella’s Way.” 

Fresh off of their Sudbeat EP release that included the growling yet emotive “Choices,” Rob Hes and Steve Slight opt for a more restrained approach with the thumping “Shoot.”  The duo is enjoying a breakout year and will return to the label in the near future with a release of their own.  Swedish newcomer Vrong makes a very impressive debut with “Gimme Sum,” a crushing tribal houser that’s been in Selador boss, Dave Seaman’s sets for months and for good reason.      

“Rosegarden” is the latest slice of Babicz-style from the German maestro and continues in the epic spirit of “Remote Kiss.” Patient yet ultimately explosive, a tough low end is taken by force as distorted arcing synths overpower the groove in the break.  Expect more from Babicz on Selador in the near future as well.

Releasing a compilation so early is a bold move for any budding label seeking to carve out its musical identity.  However, Seaman proves to be successful with the 2013 ADE Collection by curating a cohesive group of quality tracks that reside at a crossroads of tech, deep and techno sounds.  Embracing the philosophy of blending rising talent with established artists has led to some pretty inspired results for the Selador label.