The ninth installment of Kompakt's annual Total series, like the ones that came before it, gathers the best stuff from the label's last year and some exclusive goodies and presents all this in one tidy little package.

Total 9, however, is also serving as a bit of a celebratory gesture, as 2008 marks the iconic German electronic label's 15th year of operations. And, boy howdy, what a soundtrack they've got for the birthday party. Total 9 gathers cuts from Gui Boratto, Superpitcher and Supermayer, Thomas Fehlmann, SCSI-9, Justus Köhncke, DJ Koze, Burger/Voigt, and quite a few more. The set arrives August 18 in Europe and August 19 in North America on two CDs or three LPs.

And what do you know, Kompakt will host a very literal party in honor of Total 9's release at Expo XXI in Cologne on August 15. Performers include Total artists Thomas Fehlmann, Supermayer, and Maxime Dangles, as well as Reinhard Voigt, Ewan Pearson, and quite a few more.

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