[1] DJ-Kicks started out in 1993 as a compilation of electronic DJ-style mixes in the techno or house genres, with the then-novel twist of being targeted to a home listening audience.
[2] Soon afterwards, both the choice of compilers and the genres included were expanded: In addition to DJs, more and more producers (like Terranova), remixers (like Kruder & Dorfmeister), bands (like the Stereo MCs) and musicians (like Nicolette) compiled DJ-Kicks albums.
The actual music began to vary wildly as well, ranging from Trüby Trio's downbeat jazz sound to Kemistry & Storm's aggressive drum and bass.
Some of the DJ-Kicks mixes are very popular and counted among the regular albums of the compiler, most notably the one by Kruder & Dorfmeister.
The entries by Erlend Øye, Four Tet, James Holden, John Talabot, DJ Koze and Moodymann have also received particular acclaim.