Various - Ikude
[Shima Records]

Given the growing number of torrent sites and peer-to-peer file sharing networks, when an independent label makes it to its tenth release, it really should be cause for celebration. And that is exactly the intention of Shima Records “Ikude” compilation. The UK label specializes in underground electronic music and has collected thirteen compositions from all over the planet for this release.

Alkin Engineering starts proceedings off impressively with the swirling glitched Kraftwerk sounds of “Segwean Manor”. Seartim take an age to get “Flywheel” going, but lock into an incessant groove when they do. Pascal, meanwhile, retraces the well-worn paths of The Global Goon, but still manages to create something appealing. But quality music is few and far between here.

The Taiwanese clip-hop of Tachikoma’s “I Drank Too Much” offers a brief respite from the other over-indulgent electronic sounds that dominate this release. Riamwiao’s boring indietronica has been done a thousand times before and works better with the stop button close at hand, while Cato Six aimlessly meander through the dirge-like “Milpobeam”

It is hard to see where Shima fit in amidst the plethora of established electronic based labels in the UK. Lacking the quality featured on the likes of Benbecula or indeed the revered artists found on Rephlex, Warp or Skam, “Ikude” unfortunately is more miss than hit. Ten releases to the good though, Shima must be doing something right.