Launching its ninth installment, The Kings of… series continues on a mission to introduce fans to lost and neglected electro tracks across the broad spectrum of the genre. 

The Kings of Electro is a two-disk package aptly titled “The History” and “The Present”, with tracks compiled and mixed by London’s Playgroup (aka Trevor Jackson) and Berlin’s Alter Ego respectively.

Trevor Jackson’s selection delves deep into his own eccentric collection of old school tracks ranging from early NY classics from the likes of the Fearless Four, Hashim and Dynamix 2 via Detroit (Model 500), and Europe (Visage). A tinny assortment of predominantly hip-hop influenced tracks: entertaining for newcomers to the scene and great fun for break-dancers, no doubt.

Alter Ego’s Roman Fluegel and Joern Elling Wuttke explore a range of contemporary styles influenced by early electro and include releases on weighty labels Underground Resistance, M_Nus, Planet E and Basic Channel. The track list sounds like a ‘hot to trot’ list of modern electro and techno, featuring: UR, Kenny Larkin, Robert Hood, Richie Hawtin and Maurizio.

Disk two is certainly more experimental in tone, but it lacks the punchy deliverance and confidence of disk one. The sum of both parts captures the flow of the electro movement, tracking the highs and lows, but most importantly: The Kings of Electro compilation exemplifies the diversity of a contemporary phenomenon. (Holly Wicks)