Various Artists - Causes 2

Music compilations have long been a way for charities to reach a new audience of donors, but with Waxploitation Records' Causes 2 - in support of charitable efforts in the Darfur region of Sudan - things are done a little differently. Following in the wake of Dark Was the Night, the Red Hot Organisation's compilation that upheld musical quality before celebrity allure, this selection of small yet respectable artists fits perfectly into a niche of indie kid appeal, and despite a slight over reliance on remixes, there are some real gems here. DJ Eli Escobar's lush appropriation of Neon Neon's album track I Lust U and Black Moth Super Rainbow's saturated synth reflections set the standard, with Devendra Banhart, Gnarls Barkley, Múm and the Decemberists following in hot pursuit. Most charity compilations are worth putting hand in pocket for the cause alone, but Causes 2 proves that they can pack a few quality tunes too.