A couple of weeks ago, Berlin-based label Jackmode celebrated their 5 year anniversary by releasing the first part of 5 Years of Jackmode, an 11-track compilation showcasing the sounds that the imprint has been pushing over that time.

Since bursting on to the scene 5 years ago, the label has caused quite a stir with their party-starting sensibilities and keen ear for a dancefloor gem. What’s more, they’ve also introduced a wealth of new talent, not least Adana Twins, Claptone, HNQO, Kruse & Nuernberg, Round Table Knights and Doctor Dru.

Their most recent endeavor acts as a fitting snapshot to all that’s great about them, with 5 Years of Jackmode being the sort of record they’ve built their consistent reputation on. Kicking off the 2-disc, 20-track compilation is HNQO out of Brazil, which sees Don’t Stop in typically groove-centric form, with Club Idol’s ghetto-infused vocals combining expertly with the latter. Mat. Joe’s Ride does exactly as its title suggests, with its canny Run DMC sample emphasising the artist- and the label’s- continuing penchant for unlikely approaches.

Doctor Dru’s U Don’t is built around a bulging bassline, as is Monkey Safari’s expectedly ‘jacking’ Got the Jack. Zombie Disco Squad’s Brooklyn in the House opts for moodier methods, stripping down various elements to primarily highlight the track’s percussion. Death on the Balcony’s Move Like Fire glides at an altogether more subtle and lackadaisical pace, before Joyce Muniz’s Sleepless paves the way for a frantic culmination with its sporadic lyrics and beautiful, chord-filled progression. The old-school ethos comes to the forefront again on Monte’s You Should Know; a record that shines with a camp outlook that wouldn’t seem out of place in the mid 1980s. Fabo’s My Way drags the listener down another dark alleyway, before Penner+Muder expertly wave goodbye to CD1 with Love You Some More, a delicate, waif-like record bolstered by the collab of Mr. Daniel Wilde.

A forward-thinking celebration of all that’s great about the agency, this first part of the 5 Years of Jackmode compilation is a fitting tribute to a half-decade littered with spectacular moments.

Buy here!

1. 01 – HNQO ft. Club Idol – Don’t Stop
2. 02 – Mat.Joe – Ride
3. 03 – Doctor Dru – U don’t Dance
4. 04 – Monkey Safari – Got the Jack
5. 05 – Zombie Disco Squad – Brooklyn in the house
6. 06 – Death on The Balcony – Move like fire
7. 07 – Joyce Muniz – Sleepless
8. 08 – Monte – You should know
9. 09 – Fabø feat. Lostcause – My Way
10. 10 – Penner+Muder feat. Daniel Wilde – Love you some more
11. 11 – Cocolores – Devend