by Andy Kellman
Along with Olaf Dettinger, Ulf Lohmann, and Argentinas Gustavo Lamas, Markus Guentner represents the ambient-leaning end of the Kompakt label spectrum, proof positive that the label offers far more than tech-house; his productions for the Cologne, Germany, imprint are rarely reliant upon beats and overt melodies, often sticking to drifting, oceanic atmospherics and chime-like effects. In 2000, he released his first single on Kompakt with Regensburg and produced the 12 No Title for Mathias Schaffhausers Ware label. Prior to making his full-length debut the following year with In Moll, two of Guentners tracks (including Regensburg itself) were featured on Kompakts Pop Ambient 2001 compilation.