First released back in the fall of 1989, the In Order To Dance album was a compilation LP that pulled together tracks from a select band of electronic producers, pushing the boundaries of the house and electronic music that was in its infancy stage. Released on the R&S Records label, the IOTD series would become pivotal in the development of the electronic music scene at large.

The world of music is a constant shape shifting, trend moving behemoth. Style may come and go (and come back around again), stars are made, stars can fall. But the ethos behind In Order To Dance remains the same as it ever has, with a fierce independent spirit, and a pledge to bring forward the next generation of young artists and their music. And so, here we arrive at a new collection, fresh for 2023, and just in time for the labels 40th anniversary year, and with the ardent A&R’ing of label founder Renaat Vandepapeliere, a selection of new tunes is assembled to reinforce the strength and power to be found within music.

Across thirteen tracks, a squad of refreshingly contemporary producers from around the globe are brought together under the In Order To Dance banner. Ushering the series into a new era, new variations on the electronic genre and fresh ideas are fused into a delightfully engaging collection of tracks. There’s deep breakbeats courtesy of UK producer Dharma, smooth and dubby live action from Saytek and complex bass heavy rhythms from Vromm. There’s esoteric electronics from Hyphen, epic piano driven deep house from Dino Lenny and swinging jazzy breaks from Nphonix & Matrika. Paul Roux’s melancholic ‘Bapteme’ unfurls waves of deft pianos and guitar swirls over taunt beats, and a driving electro tone is set on Acidulant’s con­tribution. Intoxicating rave tropes and hefty breaks come courtesy of Pascal Nuzzo and Adam Antine delivers a wall of sound anchored by shuffling, funky beats on ‘Sortavala’.