Pickadoll's Mixed By John Dahlbäck / Pickadoll's Mixed By John Dahlback

It comes as little surprise that the first CD compilation on the Pickadoll label is heavily weighted towards John Dahlbäck — after all, it's one of his labels. As an introduction to his efforts as well as selections from various others who have released singles through the label, Pickadoll's is a solid overview for the curious and a mix of interest to Dahlbäck fans, though it's more accurate to call both output and mix a good midrange effort rather than a remarkable new one. To Dahlbäck's credit, he doesn't pretend otherwise; if his take and that of his labelmates on up-tempo house with electro elements is more illustrative than groundbreaking it's still a fine enough illustration. (Not for nothing is one of the best tracks on here, from Ozgür Can, called "Let's Do This Again.") The appropriate stutters on Mark & John's "Jagging" capture the disc at its essence — nothing is being done that hasn't been done already, but the fluid placement of the rolling sample or keyboard part (whichever it might be) against the bouncing spring of the lead melody is a crackerjack combination. Whether it's the building up to a high point on "Bobobear" right before an OK if still abrupt shift into the Zoo Brazil mix of "The Call" or the relentless, demi-industrial/EBM slam of Zoo Brazil's own contribution "Resist," Best title on the disc — Dada Life's "The Great Fashionista Swindle," though it sounds a lot less catwalky than one might have guessed.