Various Artists – Carpark Sweet Sixteen Basketball Picture Disc

A Deep Bench

Washington D.C.-based record label Carpark Records has been putting out the work of some of the most acclaimed acts in contemporary music. From critical darlings Beach House, to the rock of Cloud Nothings and Speedy Ortiz, to the electronic music of Dan Deacon and Toro y Moi, the label continues to impress. This year marks the label’s 16th anniversary since being founded in 1999 by record store clerk Todd Hyman in New York City.

They are celebrating their success by releasing Carpark Sweet Sixteen Basketball Picture Disc, a basketball-themed 12’’ compilation album showcasing the talent of their roster, boasting a picture disc with basketball artwork that is equally gorgeous and psychedelic. All sales of the record are going to non-profit organization Little Kids Rocks. According to Carpark’s website, Little Kids Rocks is “dedicated to ensuring that all public school children have the opportunity to unlock their inner music makers by investing in schools, teachers, instruments, and children around the U.S.”

This huge compilation is made up of 28 tracks. Nineteen are short loops and the remaining nine are full-length songs. The loop grooves come courtesy of Toro y Moi, Young Magic, Dan Deacon and Cloud Nothings’ Jayson Gerycz, among others. They range from minimalistic tracks such as “Space Jam” by Toro y Moi to chillwave from Jimmy Whispers on “Mugsy Bogus.” Jason Ulrick provides electronic noise on “Double Dribble.” All these grooves are equally impressive and fit together nicely despite such sonic diversity.

The same can be said for the nine full length tracks on the release. Artists with full-length songs include TEEN, Ear Pwr, Memory Tapes, Young Magic, Montag, Skylar Spence (formerly Saint Pepsi) and concludes with the thematically appropriate demo “Basketball” by Speedy Ortiz. All of the nine full length songs are nicely spaced in between the grooves, and TEEN and Ear Pwr offer great new tracks.

There are only 600 copies of the vinyl being sold and pre-order is going on now until the 24th of this month. Carpark successfully highlights the many artists featured on the release and put together a compilation as filled with fun as it is with talent, all the while helping educate the next generation of musicians.