Barnt - Connecting The Dots (DJ Mix) (2023)

KOMPAKT welcomes Daniel Ansorge, a.k.a. Barnt, to the CONNECTING THE DOTS series, to pull together some tracks from the KOMPAKT archives and spin them out into a rough and ready, psychedelically spiralling mix. Barnt has been part of the extended KOMPAKT family for a while now, and this mix follows two relatively recent releases on the label: a stunning entry in the Speicher series, where he collaborated with Michael Mayer, and 2022’s startling ProMetal Fan Decor Only Product EP.

Much like those records, the key to Barnt connecting these dots is surprise. It’s a typically Barnt thing to catch the listener unawares, to do things no one would rightfully expect, and this mix is full of moments that only he could pull off: the opening drift of Taragana Pyjarama’s “Just Remember This” bleeding into the tougher-than-nails grind of Superpitcher’s “Let’s Cruise” is an early signal that this mix is all about chance-taking, while still keeping one eye – and two ears, natch – focused on the dancefloor.

Barnt’s CONNECTING THE DOTS is particularly impressive for its range. He does a fantastic job of capturing the many sides of KOMPAKT – playfulness, tough gnarl, experimentation, surrealist pop, delirious dizziness. Jürgen Paape’s “Reval 5” takes us back to the wiry, stripped-back grind of the Profan imprint; the flickering driftwork of The Field’s “Over The Ice” sends things spinning into a warp-speed reverie. “Duration”, from Barnt’s collaboration with Michael Mayer, floods the sensory circuits with lush synths and glinting bells.

There’s an excellent, unexpected foray into Schaffel territory with Michael Mayer’s “Pride Is Weaker Than Love”, before two iconic KOMPAKT moments land in quick succession: Wighnomy Bros’ “Wurz + Blosse”, and the moistly melancholy dreamsong of Superpitcher’s “Mushroom”, before another deep dive into KOMPAKT’s back story, with Love Inc.’s “The Universe”, originally released on Force Inc. way back in 1993, on the Monoculture E.P. Signing off with Jens-Uwe Beyer, Triola and the return of Taragana Pyjarama, Barnt’s mix is an object lesson in how to do it quite properly: a masterclass in connecting the dots.