2010 was a joyous year for Cadenza with the launch of their digital sub-label Cadenza Lab. Three releases came and went, all garnering critical acclaim and securing the labels reputation for producing nothing but the best. 2011, and Cadenza Lab re-affirm their outstanding beginnings with the first in a series of compilations. A finely selected ensemble of Cadenzas artists have emerged from their studios with a concoction of tracks ranging from head strong techno to 4/4 fuelled house and emotive ambience. Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls - put your hands together for the Various Artists of Cadenza and their Cadenza Lab Compilation Volume 1. Chilean Alejandro Vivanco kicks off proceedings with Rise Again. A sharp and percussive opening, Rise Again is dominated by tightly sprung pockets of sound and a glorious female vocal that bumps and grinds with deep house demeanour. Cadenza showcase favourite Dani Casarano serves up lashings of attitude next with To Rule, a funk fuelled concoction of vocal snippets with distinct classic feel and a deep bass line to match. F600 join the crew with the sultry Latino influenced He say a 200 las empana. Eerie soundscapes and a dark, deep spoken vocal seep through the minimal platform while guitar licks lighten and delight F600s rhythmic signature. Following the highly set standard, two of Santiagos brightest lights team up for a collaborative track entitled Havanese. Francsico Allendes and Marcelo Rosselot throw in hypnotic drum patterns and subtle builds and breaks that are made to enlighten the dance floor. Laurent aka Laps is a firm member of the Cadenza outfit and this compilation simply wouldnt be complete without him. His latest Ep Up and Down My Spine with Gregory Poncet is already making waves globally and we are delighted with his contribution of No Compute. Boasting a sturdy and boisterous bass line and delicately executed vocals; No Computes groove and electric key arrangement are irrisisteable. Cadenza boss and head Vagabundo Luciano glides in with Mans Friend. Instantly arresting, the deeper than deep bass line reverbs uncontrollably as gentle percussion dances above. In typical Luciano style, its all about the drama and theres certainly no shortage of it in Mans Friend as orchestral strings swoop from beneath in sharp tension building movements. Michel Cleis has been part of the family since 2009 when he released the Uva Fragolina Ep. His Tribute is undeniably tribal with round, hollow drums and a chanting male vocal. At the half way mark it turns on its head with flying jazzy brass, a cleverly concocted and contrasting touch to its beginnings. Pounding us into another atmosphere is Mirko Loko with his remix of the immensely talented Martina Topley Birds Baby Blue. The Massive Attacks vocalist is at the very top of her game at present and with immense pleasure we have her shimmering lyrical charm on our VA remixed by Mirko Loko. Baby Blue, taken from Martinas late 2010 album has been pulled apart and pieced together again by Cadenza artist Mirko Loko. Keeping the originals hooky appeal firmly in check, Mirko plays with rapid house rhythm sections and chops the vocals to create a remix sure to fire a dance floor whilst bathing Martina Topley Birds flawless lyrics in their finest light. Cadenza Lab welcomes Parisian Psykoloco and his knack of blending Latino origins with forward thinking house and techno sensibilities; Merry Blues Groove is no exception to the rule. A rolling 4/4 groove steams its way under sexy and breathy vocals, rounded up by complex drum patterns, clicks and crunch. The finale comes in the form of Emotional Landscape from Scan Mode. A true musical journey it opens with moody and dark vibes, steering the atmosphere with determination. Cleverly though, the journey takes a sharp turn as an emotive and drawn out synth sweeps through. Delicate and atmospheric, Emotional Landscape conjures and closes the Cadenza Lab Compilation Vol.1 with a distinct and classy touch. alternative text