various: the yellow collection

Belgian imprint Eskimo Recordings presents the fifth installment in its annual compilation series, exploring the boundaries of the label's house, disco and pop infusions in The Yellow Collection. The opening moments of The Yellow Collection come from Eskimo's core artists, with Norway's Atella, "one of this new wave's best" according to Thump. Greek producer NTEIBINT's "By Your Side" is a deliciously mellow and disco-tinged track that features former Twin Shadow bassist Rush Midnight (aka Russ Manning) and the unstoppable Du Tonc's head-spinning classic "We Can Hold On" cultivates the pinnacle of the unique indie/disco sound suffused with pop sensibilities that Eskimo does so well. The Yellow Collection unveils the previously unreleased dub mix from iconic German duo Satin Jackets for the first time. Man Power showcases "Fisky," a driving and hypnotic cut that follows nicely on from his inclusion in XLR8R's "Best of 2015: New Artists" feature. This Soft Machine has graced both Nicolas Jaar's Other People label and Eskimo's The Orange Collection (ESK 507080), and picked up props from the likes of FACT for his robotic demeanor, revisited here in "It's Operational." Handpicking talent from the local Belgian scene, Eskimo present two new acts from Antwerp for the project. Go March is an instrumental group whose debut single "Rise" stretches a post-rock groove in a sort of Mogwai-meets-Kraftwerk synthesis, while the dark, hypnotic and electronic Blackie & The Oohoos' "Aphexy" shifts The Yellow Collection toward rhythm and coherence and shows a band at the top of their game. At the heart of the collection are two acts from the cooler Scandinavian climates of Norway that are familiar to the tastebuds of Eskimo fans. The alluring vocals of Else Born (also known as Norway's finest pop export Philco Fiction) appear on "Colours," a track from Horixon that references '90s R&B, classic house, and a touch of garage. Oslo's Vinny Villbass finds his way back onto Eskimo with "The Itch" and its haunting synths that infiltrate the lower frequencies. Each artist has their own identity but Eskimo forms a package of seamless musical treats and forges yet new allies in the dreamy landscape of The Yellow Collection. Also includes tracks by MiddleSkyBoom feat. Eliezer, LUXXURY, Zombies In Miami, and James Curd. Includes bonus mix CD.