This Various Artists comp is a very good quality offering from the BSBTA label. Lope are a Japanese outfit whose stock-in-trade seems to be elegant, moving instrumentals; the sombre piano keys and warm electronic sounds of 'The Crane' being their outstanding calling card. The ever-prolific and consistent Yellow6 offers three more tracks of melancholic guitar passages; 'Start Over Again' even settling into a relatively aggressive mid-pace. Absent Without Leave are one of those acts who favour a wintry atmosphere above all. Even if it does take a while to get started the group's 'Achromatic' represents another highlight; its mixture of steady beats and icy ambience is stunning in its own quiet way. The clever use of church bells on 'Weasel Words' also impresses. The more amateurish style favoured by Kimonophobic (Krautrock, live recordings and general lack of feeling), however, provides the only black mark against an otherwise sterling collection of music.