Gommagang 3 / Isar Gold
various artists
label:: Gomma Records / Compost Records
format:: CD
Gommagang 3 and Isar Gold are compilations on established labels that have very different identities , yet both discs share a similar sound.
Gommagang 3 is a feature showcase for Gomma Records, where Isar Gold represents a sound, and includes tracks from many different labels, including Gomma.
Gommagang 3 offers fourteen tracks from eight Gomma artists. Included are tracks from out of print vinyl releases, including both sides of the Munk / Rammellzee split 7inch, and the A-side of the Kick Out The Chairs 12inch.
Midnight Mike's Hot In The Kitchen is a fun track I had never heard before. He recites 4 lines of foods, which are repeated by a sexy female voice. Midnight Mike enjoyed success in the Electroclash days, and Hot In The Kitchen would fit right into that scene.
The annoyance factor might be the inclusion of two tracks by Who Made Who (who seem to be appearing on many comps). This bands vocals sound too close to the 70s band Cream for many folks who hear them.
Isar Gold is a compilation put together for Compost by Benjamin Frohlich. While Compost is principally known as a nu-jazz and downtempo label run by the guys from Jazzanova, Isar Gold sounds much closer to a Gomma record such as Gommagang 3.
Leroy Hanghofer, a Gomma band, appear on the comp. The chosen song is a bit old and played out if you have followed Gomma Records for any time. Bathroomboogie sounds like prime Electroclash-era Miss Kittin. If you have never heard this track before, you may like it a lot.
The record starts out with Smilin' (While You Crying), which has indie vocals that are a little whiney. The track slides right into Ben Mono's vocal funk track, which in turn becomes the real nice funky instrumental Pornhaus (by Hiltmeyer Inc., who also appear on Isar Gold).
Queen of Japan are one of may Gerhard Potuznik projects. They are a female vocal band. Apostle of Love isn't anything great. If this is their best, it would seem that Queen of Japan are best when performing covers such as their classic Kiss cover I Was Made for Loving You.
Magnifique Part 1 is a first wave 1980 disco track by Anthony Monn, who recorded as Magnifique. Anthony also worked with Eurodisco legend Amanda Lear. Magnifique Part 1 is my favorite track on the record.
Discopatrol are sure no disco band. Long Way to the Top starts off with a piano part that sounds like Carole King's I Feel The Earth Move, then goes into a vocal part that sounds like Dire Straits.
The record ends with a 1991 track by Lali Puna. I hadn't even been aware that they were around that long.
Both Gommagang 3 and Isar Gold are decent enough records, but neither is fantastic or worth going out of your way to hear.
---Carl
Gommagang 3
- Headman - Rong Hands (Rong Hand Dub Version)
- Munk - Disco Clown (Midnight Mike's 128 bpm remix)
- Tomboy - Finale
- Who Made Who - Space For Rent (Dirt Crew remix)
- Hiltmeyer Inc. - FinalAhh (Nicky remix)
- Midnight Mike - Hot In The Kitchen
- Tomboy - Black Beauty
- Munk/Chloe - Ce Kul (Francisco remix)
- Tomboy - Maggie & Samira
- Who Made Who - Satisfaction
- Rammellzee - Cheesy Lipstick
- Munk/Chloe - Kick Out The Chairs (W MW remix)
- Hiltmeyer Inc. - Chefsong
- Who Made Who - Space For Rent (Rapture's HushHush remix)
Isar Gold
- Poets Of Rhythm - Smilin' (While You Crying)
- Ben Mono feat. Capital A - Transmission
- Hiltmeyer Inc. - Pornhaus
- Queen Of Japan - Apostle of Love
- Leroy Hanghofer - Bathroomboogie
- Muallem feat. Audrey - Sweat
- Magnifique - Magnifique Part 1
- Cio D'Or - 4 Men Terror
- Discopatrol - Long Way to the Top
- General Electrics feat. Lateef the Truth Speaker - Facing That Void
- Jichael Mackson - Charmin
- Julius Kammerl - Dromedar
- Silicon Soul - Who Needs Sleep Tonight (DJ G. Hell remix)
- Cloinc - Marti
- Lali Puna - Together in Electric Dreams
