Max Richter

Behind The Counter (Southbound)

One of things that is almost specific to Soundcloud is that you are able to create groups of your favourite artists and follow what they are listening to and are influenced by. The Max Richter compilation Behind The Counter is the first in a series of mixes, much like the LateNightTales series, by artists who are ‘‘shop floor’’ favourites of the British label Rough Trade. What you get from the British composer is a diverse range of classical pieces – Ives, Purcell, Bach, Glass, Alexander Scriabin, John Adams and Handel — along with some of his favourite contemporary electronic artists such as Aphex Twin, Low, Boards of Canada and Mogwai. It’s possibly an album for fans only, but one that is nevertheless stunning. – Mike Alexander