Electronic music labels are not known for their diversity. On the contrary, most labels represent a specific sound of music and rarely stray from the formula. The name of the label often becomes more important than the name of the artist when flipping though the record bins. On the plus side, fans can count on a record that wears a particular logo to carry the type of music they are looking for. But on the downside, many labels become stagnate, rehashing old ideas instead of challenging their audience with new ones. This makes the German label Ladomat a bit of an oddity. They don't have a particular sound. In fact, the label strives for every record to be unique from the one before. Songs contained on this CD, celebrating their 100th release, range from the totally '80s synth pop of Grom's "Stupid Boys" to a micro-house session by Gucci and Netto Houz. There is even some singer/songwriter action with Jan Gazzera's cover of the Leonard Cohen song "Chelsea Hotel." Even more impressive than the diverse influences are the songs that defy simple categorization. "A Piece of the Action" by Egoexpress sounds like Boz Scaggs-meets-Kraftwerk and Zimt's "U.O.A.A.Shake It" has one of the most original vocal cut-ups ever laid over a minimal house skeleton. The gents that run Ladomat clearly possess something more than just a good ear and eclectic taste. What they have is that indescribable sense of cool, something that most record labels can only dream of. ~ Joshua Glazer, All Music Guide