Permanent Vacation (Selected Label Works 3)

iTunes Review

Munich’s prolific electronic label Permanent Vacation cranks out the third installment of its Selected Label Works compilations, and this is easily the best yet. You’d be hard-pressed to find an underground European DJ without one of Permanent Vacation's 12-inch singles in a vinyl tote—especially Midnight Magic’s “Drop Me a Line,” a sexy slice of '70s-flavored disco that’s all gussied up with innovative production. Mirror People’s “Echo Life” has a similarly delicious contrast of classic grooves and futuristic funk. Shifting the old-school adoration up a decade, the Johan Agebjörn remix of Wolfram’s “Fireworks” opens with icy '80s synthesizers as rudimentary blips and beeps start dotting a wonderfully retro electro-pop realm. Jump up another decade, and Tensnake’s remix of Azari & III’s “Reckless with Your Love” echoes early-‘90s C+C Music Factory. Surpassing decade worship, Todd Terje (a.k.a. Chuck Norris) cooks up a sizzling Caribbean-flavored rhythm section in “All That She Wants.” It sounds like an ultra dubbed-out Sly & Robbie, replete with harmonica and plenty of analog echo deck (dig that wonky bass line).