label: Fax Records country of origin: Germany style(s): Ambient, ethno ambient, ambient techno/trance/dub,  world beat, avant garde essential compilations: Fax Compilation 1 (1994, Fax/Instinct) Fax Compilation 2 (1995, Fax/Instinct) The Ambient Cookbook (1995, Fax) Genetic Drift (1996, Fax) The Ambient Cookbook II (2002, Fax)

The story of the new-school ambient label Fax Records is actually better told through the solo and collaborative albums of its founder Pete Namlook rather than through compilations. Not since Brian Eno has a single musician done so much to push his own idea of ambient music, both through his own music and the impressive array of talent he has signed to the label since 1992.

So Namlook's classic albums are a better place to start. But some Fax compilations are magnificent on their own terms and recommended nonetheless. The label's peak creative years were the 1990's and the above albums are good summaries of Fax's output from that period. Old analogue synth sounds meld with a variety of light techno beats, industrial percussion and/or live instruments in fresh and evocative ways. Some tracks remain completely beatless, others pulse with gentle rhythm; some are cosmic and beautiful, some dignified and classical, others shadowy and ominous.

The 2-CD sets Fax Compilation 1 and Fax Compilation 2 are among a select few comps that were at one point licensed by Instinct Records in North America, which means they're more numerous and easier find to find than the other comps listed above which are all limited editions. These two double albums include most of tracks from the 4CD compilation The Ambient Cookbook, which has the curious addition of some recipes from Pete Namlook's kitchen in the accompanying booklet. Genetic Drift is another double album set collecting more tracks from the same period.

The 4-CD Ambient Cookbook II is also a treasure, albeit a very different one to the first volume. It doesn't so much as pick up where the first one left off, rather it re-imagines the label's first ten years with a seamless mixed blend. Some tracks are left intact, some are edited, while others are extensively overlaid on top of each other to create something new. Its much more of a mixed DJ creation than the first volume and a marvelous alternative document of the label's music.

Fax's best work is timeless, having easily withstood the fall of ambient dance from flavour-of-the-month status after the mid-90's. Because let's face it: Fax's underground credentials are impeccable and it never was flavour of the month. The music collected here remains a benchmark for electronic and electro-acoustic chillout music well into the new century.

HOME