The idea of a mixtape has been firmly placed in the minds of every music fan on the planet but it’s only recently that this practice has been put in working by the artists themselves.

Booka Shade, instead of being a shady underground backstreet pimp thanks to the vague singular nomenclature, comprises of Berlin-based electronica duo also known as Arno Kammermeier and Walter Merziger.

Instead of releasing a compilation that showcases their mixing skills, they’ve produced something that comes off as more of an active list of their influences and their recommendations to their avid listeners, opening many new avenues of thought for those who are truly into the practice of Electronica.

As with any selection, there has to be a link, and the theme is screaming the electric sounds of the eighties either by sound, band or even soundtracks. The blend of tracks milk every aspect of ambience, moving from heavily synthesised soundtracks (sampled from Carpenter’s Escape from New York) to weird techno buggery from the likes of Aphex Twin to horribly eighties remixes of almost ‘hate to be legendary’ eighties trash-pop merchants Heaven 17.

But instead of being left to wonder why this has been chosen, you’re forced forward into their next choice, and slowly understanding that the track actually works and the mix wouldn’t be the same without a bit of cheese now and again.

Quarion eliminate all popular methods of electronica by utilising chilled atmospherics, wind instruments and 4am ambience looped to a perfect rhythm in Karasu. As always this kind of mixtape with the fans in mind, would not ignore nineties legends Aphex Twin with their minimalist effort Alberto Balsam serving to support the weight of the album but without taking away the atmosphere being created.

So don’t think of this as the usual explosion within a commercial jukebox, they’ve hit on some diverse choices that gives even the hardened electronica expert a comforting nod with some obscure gems.