Kompakt is a Cologne-based electronic musicrecord label and vinyl/CD distributor, owned by Wolfgang Voigt, Michael Mayer and Jürgen Paape. They specialize in microhouse and minimal techno, and are known for their Total compilation series, now in its eighth installment. Kompakt has enjoyed critical acclaim in some circles for its artists' minimalist approach, and for bringing a more accessible sound to the masses. Indeed, the mix of minimalism with an underlying pop sensibility helped to develop their signature sound. It was considered a hotbed for innovation during the first half of the 2000s. Notorious producers of the label include Superpitcher, Michael Mayer, Justus Köhncke and Jürgen Paape. In recent years, Kompakt has been better known for bringing a trance sound into minimal techno. Techno & electronic artists, such as The Orb, Thomas Fehlmann, The Field, Jonas Bering, Aril Brikha and others have released material on Kompakt. Kompakt also runs an online music market with a weekly newsletter, providing a large amount of techno and other electronic forms of music digitally and through mailorder. For many critics the late, lamented Profan (a Kompakt spin-off imprint) was at the cutting edge of '90s electronica.[1]
