When Finders Keepers put out a compilation the only theme of which is that it’s the favourite tracks of the founders and those in their orbit (that’s Andy Votel and Dom Thomas, plus the likes of Gruff Rhys, Cherrystones and Doug Shipton), it chucks up some questions, namely: are FK drawing a line under all that’s come before? If so, they won’t be short of more weirdness to offer.
The Cross Continental… subtitle is no misnomer. Gruff Rhys chucks in the Welsh psych of Chwys (there’s another question: where’s Rare Beat 2, guys?), Indoor Life’s Archaeology is an oppressive slice of Euro doom disco (thanks Jazzman Gerald) and there’s even a steel drum version of The World Is A Ghetto courtesy of Amral’s Trinidad Cavaliers Steel Drum Orchestra. Nowhere is “nowhere” here: Czech pop sits with Argentine rock and funky soul by way of China. You thought you had the world’s biggest collection of obscurios? These guys combine like Power Rangers.
Another question you may ask: Is this just DJs trying to outdo each other? Nah, like a perfect world, it lives in harmony. An ideal sample of what these guys are about, and why they’re one of the most important reissue labels in the world.
