Ivan Smagghe is someone who has had an interesting career as a DJ and in various groups (TP fondly recalls the sleazy electro bounce of Black Strobe). Along with Nathan Gregory Wilkins, he keeps up a biweekly show on NTS, 'Channeling', which guaranteed to throw your ears for a loop--don't assume, indeed.

Right about now is when I start to get some serious FOMO as the stars have not yet aligned and we're not gonna make it to Croatia again this year for Love International. Whether you've got your tickets sorted or not, head to the TP Mix Archive and gorge yourself on the sounds of festivals past. In the meantime we have the 8th edition of the essential compilation series to mark the festival, set the tone as it were.

Smagghe delivers the brilliant eclecticism that you'd expect. Deep cuts lost and found. Folks have rightly glommed onto Family of God's leftfield chonky banger "Beautiful People". The Mosque Mix of Carolyn's acid pumper "Let Me In" with its coldwave vocal drone and percussive lilt (and that clarinet!) will sound amazing echoing over a packed dancefloor en plein air. "Dark Flower" from Berlin-based Polygamy Boys and Carl Craig's mix of Chris & Cosey hark to that sexy electro that has coursed its way through many a Smagghe set. A haunting spoken-word outing by the late Genesis P-Orridge. Cheeky techno from don Bjørn Christiansen under his Prinz Ezo alias. Wonky electro business from White Car. What does it all mean? One of these days I've got to get to Croatia.

The Sound Of Love International 008 is available now on Bandcamp HERE and in all good record shops. X