I'm really curious also, been my experience seeds germinate just fine under fresh compost, but many of the seedlings die off, except for the weeds. Maybe Lab Lab will be more successful?
Most seed is treated to resist fungus, which seems a likely cause for the seedlings to die. A pretty hostile environment under the mulch.
Speaking of doing it by hand, I've had good luck with a spade. I turn the soil over roots up, then the next spade full into the the hole I just made and repeat (a thousand times
. A lot easier to do a day or two after a rain. Then I seed and lightly drag to cover the seeds, a small section of chain link fence and a rope works. I've put out many, thousand square foot, corn plots this way. This method is for young backs and strong hearts. The young plants seem to tolerate the fresh mulch on the roots, better than in contact with the top.
Let us know how it works out, I'd like to try the same if successful.