A1. Jens Bond / Pictures in the dark A2. Simon Beeston / Under the Sofa B1. David K / Take it B2. :Terry: / Blow Up As if the year 2009 hadn’t been eventful enough for Berlin label Highgrade and it’s French counterpart Freak n’Chic , both camps have found space in the program for another very special Tour de Force this November. Based on the similar philosophies of label founders Tom Clark and Dan Ghenacia, the two labels utilize the skills of their existing artist rosters while continuing to discover new talents, and togheter, pay tribute to almost all the artists from both labels with this fresh musical collaboration. With the release of the „MIKADO“ compilation on Highgrade, Tom Clark, together with his label-partner Todd Bodine on the German side, send his most trusted regular artists Jens Bond, Heinrichs & Hirtenfeller, Homm & Popoviciu and Daniel Dreier into the game alongside newcomers Asem Shama, Demir & Seymen and Simon Beeston. On the French side, Dan Ghenacia sits in company with Anthony Collins, Shonky, David K, :Terry: and Seuil, making them a match fit and battle ready MIKADO brigade! And that’s not the only musical surpise in store: On 17th October the artists from both labels will be coming together to form an impressive line-up for a joint label night at Berghain and Panorama Bar. The night kicks off the record release tour throughout Europe, at which you will be forced to resist the MIKADO effect – the one who moves, loses!

Bloody Mary: “Go guys Go :) ”

Brett Johnson: “A lot of music to go through here.....in the end it was David K's "Take it" , Todd Bodine's "Laid Back" , Jens Bonds's " Pictures.." , Terry's "Blow Up" that spoke to me best. Will def play those.... thanks. ”

Dance Club Portugal: “this is one of the good ones, definitely! both label artists are at the top of their game right now so quality is high all along the tracks of the lp. seuil's "morning meth" and homm & popoviciu's "decoder" stand out at first listen. ”

De:Bug Magazin: “Brilliante vier Tracks der Compilation zwischen Highgrade und Freak'n'Chic. Und mit "Pictures In The Dark" legt Jens Bond die Latte ziemlich hoch. Ein Track, der mit soviel deepem Funk aus einem schweren Housegroove mit nur wenigen Pianoandeutungen und perfekten Hintergründen durchdachter Sequenzen wie ein Uhrwerk abgeht, dessen einziger Zweck zu sein scheint, immer aufgedrehter und funkiger zu werden. Auch der darkere Simon-Beeston-Track kickt mit einer sehr bestimmenden Art mitten ins Floorzentrum und kommt mit einer völlig ungewöhnlich herausragenden Einton-Killermelodie ins Rasen. David K beginnt die Rückseite mit einem überhitzten Ultrafunk- Oldschoolhousetrack, der die Euphorie in seinem flirrenden Vocalton nur andeuten muss, und zum Abschluss wird es mit Terry noch mal richtig deep. Eine perfekte Kollaboration, auf der jeder Track ein Killer ist und alle den Charme eines Agenten haben. Mich wundert, dass Swing nicht noch mehr auf "Mikado" thematisiert wurde, denn das hier ist minimaler House-Swing in Perfektion.”

dOP: “great drugs music !! but david K track is my favorite here . ”

Funk D'Void: “love jens bond's wobbly bassline!! ”

Giles Smith (secretsundaze): “prbably prefer Terry's track from this ep but not really my bag”

Gregor Tresher: “lots of cool tracks in here, will play”

Gruber & Nuernberg: “Nice Labels = Nice Sampler! My favs are Shonky, Seuil and Homm & Popviciu!!! Thanks... Best Chris ”

Karotte (CocoonGreat Stuff): “great love it!!!”

Laurent Garnier: “great collection of good tracks Full support ”

Marcel Knopf: “David K & Seuil! YEAH! ”

Margaret Dygas: “very nice bunch!!!thank you :) ”

Markus Kavka: “monster-compilation! top-leute, top-tracks, man kennte tatsaechlich alle stuecke back to back spielen und haeßtte ein vorzuegliches set. tz.”

Ruede Hagelstein: “so much input. great! i'm heavily into david k, jens bond, shonky,h & h, asem shama, todd bodine and anthony collins. but any track has his own high graded profession. thanks a lot! ”

Tiefschwarz: “nice record !!!!!”