It was only in spring 2016 that Cluster released a box set entitled "1971-1981". It contained the eight remastered LPs of the main phase as well as a disc of unreleased material. Now, a little more than half a year later, the next Cluster compilation is already on the market, with a title that seems identical at first glance. Plagiarism? Not at all! In a way, it is the essence of the eight main albums compressed onto one CD or LP. At least if we are to follow John McEntire (Tortoise, The Sea & Cake), who chose the eleven compilation titles. In fact, every work from "Cluster 71" to "Curiosum" is represented with at least one track, and three of the titles, namely "Big Water", "21 32" and "In Eternity", are even edits from McEntire's hand. Although "Cluster 1971-1981" is a thoroughly personal compilation, the show also functions as an introduction to the Cluster oeuvre in the sense of a "Best Of" album. In view of Cluster's versatility and a band sound that defied any categorisation between ambient, industrial, synth pop and electro and, above all, always showed new facets with every album, McEntire has landed a big hit with his selection.