Compost Records

Compost Records is a German record label based in Munich and established by Michael Reinboth in 1993.^[1] The label is known for progressive downbeat dance^[1] and nu jazz releases^[2] incorporating influences of bossa nova, techno, and drum and bass.^[3] The Future Sounds of Jazz compilation series helped establish the label early in its history.^[1] The majority of artists signed to Compost Records are those known to Reinboth personally, from connections in the German downbeat club scene.^[1] The company has resisted licensing its catalog to larger labels, seeking instead to develop roster reputations in-house.^[4] Reinboth selected the name Compost for his label because it translates well among many languages, and felt it denoted a "catalyst for constitution and reactions".^[5]

In the United States, Compost was initially distributed by K7! Distribution^[1] and then by Studio Distribution, until 2002, when it switched to Shelter Music Group.^[2]

The book Soul Love: 20 Years Compost Records was released in 2015, featuring text in both English and German, over 450 photographs from the history of the label, and a download code for a forty-track compilation.^[6]