So here we are at the fourth installment of Love International's compilation series and, following stellar entries from Gatto Fritto, Beautiful Swimmers, and Shanti Celeste, Italian-born, Berlin-based Vale Budino steps up to the plate. Anyone who has attended the festival in Croatia can attest to its crowd being predominantly younger, but still with a strong contingent who have been following since its genesis as the Electric Elephant in Petrčane. As such, the musical policy has to cater to the energy of youth and the 'heritage' taste of the more seasoned raver.

So, does she deliver the goods? The answer friends is "yes, and how!"

Budino's background sets her up perfectly for this task. She's steeped in Italy's cosmic history but currently residing in Berlin and playing the buzziest clubs there and worldwide. The thing that people often get wrong about the Cosmic Sound is its sheer giddy breadth - there really were no rules. DJs like Daniele Baldelli and Beppe Loda had a nigh-on unquenchable thirst for all genres of music. Pouring through the week's releases in search of something they could speed up, slow down, bend or blend into their mind-bogglingly technically adept and outrageously druggy DJ sets.

After the 'cosmic revival' in the UK, the term often became a lazy shorthand for a kind of arpeggiated space disco. This was a million miles from the musical freedom you can hear in those seminal mixtapes. And it's this musical ethos that Budino has picked up and run with on the compilation. She's taken the concept laid down by the scene's forefathers and stretched it out over 90s techno through to modern-day progressive club music. While also paying homage to its origins with sounds from the 80s.

So what have we got here? Budino signs on with Peter Seiler's 'Serengeti' from that classic German label Innovative Communications, which Klaus Schulze co-founded. These are the original cosmic vibes - deep and smooth, the perfect opener. Then we get into the percussive tribal trance of The Ambush with 'Casablanca.' Still in deeply atmospheric waters, but the pace and pressure are increasing. Next up is the kooky late 80s UK industrial jam from the most excellently named Bourbonese Qualk, 'Ton Ton Macoute.'

Vale quickly dips her toe in the 2000s with the synth-poppy 'Ein Weihnachtsmann Kommt In Die Disco' by Pyrolator before returning to the 80s with Torch Song's 'Hark.' This was previously only available on a Flexi-disc and is here lovingly extended by Budino herself. EXCLUSIVE! Then we're hit with some heavy Italian electronics by Kirlian Camera.

The compilation picks up the pace with brand new tracks by fellow Italian DJ Blasy and Budino and Berko. It's always so good to hear the all-time classic 'Oceans' by Pietro Fidelfatti, and it sounds super-fresh in this context. The compilation is closed out with some bangers by Clock DVA, Vibes of Paradise, and Scott Edward. My only real criticism of this selection is that they are present at their 'correct' playing speed, whereas Budino would tend to pitch them right down. Not a problem for those with turntables or CDJs, but maybe streaming or digital listeners might miss out on the intended atmospheric But, let's face it, that's a minor quibble, eh?

This is a particularly poignant collection of music, given the festival has been on enforced hiatus due to the Corona-bastard. But all being well, we should be back there, beneath the olive trees, by the glistening sea, under the stars, dancing together this summer. So put this excellent compilation on and get ready. See you there!

'The Sound Of Love International 004' is out now on Test Pressing X Love International Recordings