I know premium streaming services like Deezer, Apple Music and Spotify are fast becoming the way many music fans with a decent internet connection consume music, but I still get most of my new music from Soundcloud. Granted, I was still making mixtapes for my walkman when my friends were all bumping to Bump on their discmans, so it’s not like I’ve ever been at the forefront of early adoption. Still, I’m a sucker for a free download and, over the years, I’ve followed a ton of solid musicians who often put out or share good shit. In this age of automated curation, your “personal” taste becomes a numbers game. With Soundcloud, you’re at the mercy of the tastes of those who you choose to follow.
Thankfully, like I mentioned, I follow people with skills and taste, which is how I found Sleepwalker Records’ ‘Lab Series 2’ compilation. This eclectic collection of current South African electronica came up in my feed 3 times before I eventually clicked play. Since then, I’ve put it on anytime I’ve needed to get some writing done. Turns out variations of techno and house are the perfect companion to wandering thoughts and the clacking of a keyboard, although I can imagine a few of these tracks being the soundtrack to a night on the jol.
Unbeknownst to me, Sleepwalker Records has been around for a decade already. Jimmy Chronic (James Cell) originally started the label back in 2007. It went dormant for a while, but was brought back to life last year with ‘Lab Series 1’ and I’ve heard they’re taking things a step further by opening up a physical record store. Judging by both compilations, it’s probably a good move. The current crop of South African experimental electronica producers don’t lack talent but finding meaningful spaces to showcase that work is always a struggle.
As with all good compilations, Lab Series 2 features noteworthy up-and-comers as well as stalwarts of the scene, all deftly mixed together. Jimmy Chronic himself opens things up with ‘I Just Can’t Deal’. Vox Portent brings the thump with ‘Take 5’. Rose Bonica takes us on a layered 7 and a half minute journey that (mostly) revisits the same hook with ‘It’s a Whale of a Time’. Even Women Who Kill found time to bless us with his tasty house stylings on ‘Fleas Hitchin’ Rides on Bees’ whilst teaching in South Korea. That being said, it’s Parabyl’s ‘Whiplash’ that stands out for me. It’s just got the perfect mix of morose and groovy that resonates with me.
Whilst each of these artists are talented in their own right, when grouped together it gives a snapshot of some of the incredible sounds being made by South Africans at the moment. We find new music in a myriad of ways these days but one of the oldest and most reliable is still through shares and recommendations. By having 17 artists on a compilation, each artist can introduce their audience to other musicians they might vibe with, which increases everyone’s potential reach. You might come for LEEU and stay for Ancient Brothers, you know? In an age where everyone is their own label/manager/promoter and everything is decentralised, small independent labels still have a role to play, especially with releases like ‘Lab Series 2’.
