Various - From Brussels With Love

Call me nostalgic but the fact is the independent label scene rarely produces music like this anymore... Not that Les Disques are more genuine or idiosyncratic than faves like Touch, Ghostly International, 4AD or Factory in that respect, but the aesthetic and given feeling of authenticity works perfectly with 'From Brussels With Love'.

The reason why many probably dislike compilations of any kind, lays in the very purpose of such releases - hearing the word 'compilation' we usually shake it off for the shallow factor of most such examples; in terms of any promotional (read: commercial) release, usually its various music - but already on various individual albums. Something anyone can assemble on their own, and very probably with far better results than from what most record companies try and simulate with 'Endless Love', 'Greatest of the greatest' and 'Unforgettable' (these titles as typically cliched and except causing a yawn in the listener's ear, don't last for a season).

'From Brussels With Love' finally reflects a decent digital re-master of the original cassette release back in 1980. Throughout the years there were at least two variations with different track listing; of course, Les Disques were trying to fill in the gap with these but weren't doing this (their debut) release much justice. Mixing stuff originally from the 1980 period with later recordings didn't do any damage but the impression of faking this cassette in the wake of an LP or CD became very frustrating when trying to track down the original.

In the end, James Nice's phenomenally enthusiastic label LTM - which respectively takes good care of long lost music to release it properly on CD - reached deep into Les Disques' arhives and managed to pull the best out from the very master tapes. But once again, the irony of limited CD space took its toll - the closing live version of A Certain Ratio's 'Felch' fell out from this re-release. In form of consolation to any recommended fan, the omitted ACR piece is included elsewhere on the group's back catalogue available through LTM.

And now for the music. 'From Brussels With Love' isn't about the Brussels music scene but it effectively manages to leave that impression. A compilation of equally dramatic and melancholic qualities which adds to the beautiful drama of a weary traveller. This is a fully encompassed 'European' representation of matters classical, pop, avant-garde, punk noise and minimal wave with occasional jingles and an interview. Many artists here have well-established their musical careers while some others probably didn't reach that horizon besides this magnificent sampler. But then again, reaching 'Brussels' and compliment each other with such diversity still sounds like one hell of an achievement and for that, both Les Disques De Crepuscule and LTM are eternally thanked for.