The esteemed German label Compost Records has come up with a unique way to celebrate its 20th anniversary. (Technically, 2015 actually marks 21 years since the label’s first release, but let’s not split hairs when there’s a project as cool as this one in the offing). Most labels in this position might just toss out a compilation, or maybe even a box set, and leave it at that. But while Compost is in fact releasing a box set’s worth of music in honor of this august occasion, they’re also going further and putting out a full-fledged book.
We’re not talking some flimsy, glorified pamphlet either. Soul/Love is a 296 page book, and it features over 450 photos as well as interviews, articles, a portrait of label founder Michael Reinboth, and graphics galore. The latter element incorporates everything from album art to flyers and memorabilia. There are also written contributions from Laurent Garnier, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Gilles Peterson, Fat Freddy’s Drop and dozens more. And of course each book comes with its own download code that gives you Compost 500, featuring 40 tracks from some of the label’s finest artists. See below for the full track listing, and go here to order a copy of Soul/Love for yourself.