Maltine Records – for the people. Besides offering all of their releases for free online, the netlabel is not afraid to theme compilation albums around things open to everyone. Shimin Poolside translates to “community poolside,” which is to say this isn’t music meant for the elites lounging around some ivory-fenced swimming hole. Nope, this is music for those who will enjoy the summer from community-maintained pools.
It’s also a heck of a compilation. Disco-loving producer Bazz delivers one of the compilation’s highlights with his “It’s You,” a light warm-weather disco number. We have a sneaking suspicion that Kobe’s Tofubeats is on here, working under the name The Best Vacation Resort Hotels. Whoever runs that project offers up a lovely bit of breezy rap on “Tokyo Hotel Pool.” We have already listened to Osamu Ansai’s excellent sample-heavy number “Woman,” and Kansai’s Okadada contributes a solid vocal-featuring song as well. The best moment, though, comes from Costa Mesa, California’s Kosmo Kat, who offers up a whirling bit of electro-pop…anchored by a J-Pop sample…that’s the most dizzying thing here. Get the whole thing here.