Bedrock 12

Written by the B&B Crew

Album Review -

John Digweed’s Bedrock label celebrates its 12th anniversary with a new addition to its annual Bedrock mix compilation catalog. Here’s what we think of Bedrock 12…

Bedrock 12 showcases the sound of the label in 2010 in the form of 21 tunes spread across two discs that vary from subtle deep house to pumping progressive techno. The tracklist is kind of what we would expect from the label, as both established stars are placed alongside the up and coming (Max Cooper, Wehbba, Wiretappeur…). Fair enough, now on to the CDs.

The first disc opens with Sistema’s Krace Gelly, a deep tune that proves to be a great tension builder as the we're soon enough treated to more uptempo tunes. All cuts are marked by extensive percussion use (the tribal kind), multiple thick layers of hypnotizing synths and sudden twists that keep things interesting to the end. Indeed, it has become Bedrock’s trademark over the years. As this is an unmixed package, we do miss out on the flow that made the recently released Structures album so god damn good, but we're not gonna complain on that now. Standout tracks on this first disc would be the disco-tinged Epic by Vincenzo & Lovebirds, the soaring buzzes that make up Misstress Barbara’s Azzuri (Luis Junior Remix) and Christian Smith’s System Of Survival, which is a very convincing piece of prog-techno at its finest.

The second disc doesn’t differ that much from the first in terms of sounds. We again get to hear powerful hybrids and again it’s all very, very enjoyable. Take the massive Maetrik Funky Remix of John Digweed & Nick Muir Satellite tune for instance. This one’s an intense, roaring piece of electronic music with a nasty bass loop as its main attraction whilst tracks such as Alan Fitzpatrick’s Involve and King unique’s Spikes spice up the mix with techno flavours. Biggest track here? Robert Babicz’ Welcome To The 90 is a track that’s everything its title promises it to be, including the filthy acid stabs. Hot.

We didn’t expect anything else, but Bedrock 12 is simply another killer addition to the impressive Bedrock discography. This package gets you two discs featuring the hottest tracks that are rocking the progressive/house/techno scene at this moment and not even the apocalypse itself will have you hit that Stop button before the mixes have come to an end. Thanks John, nice one!

Rating: 8.0/10
Label: Bedrock
Release date: October 4th, 2010

Tracklist
CD1
1. Sistema - Krace Gelly
2. Maetrik - Glob Monster
3. Wiretappeur - Too Much Space
4. Vincenzo & Lovebirds - Epic
5. Quivver - Orgazoid (Mix 1)
6. Misstress Barbara - Azzuri (Louis Junior Remix)
7. King Unique & Anthony Pappa (Vamoosh)
8. Max Cooper - Ediolic Spectra
9. Christian Smith - System Of Survival
10.Tone Depth - Rumblefish (Diyo Remix)
11.Nick Warren - In Search Of Silver (Ambient Mix)

CD2
1. Wiretappeur - Too Much Space (Reprise)
2. John Digweed & Nick Muir - Satellite (Maetrik Funky Remix)
3. Quivver - Orgazoid (Mix 2)
4. John Digweed & Nick Muir - Bilder
5. Alan Fitzpatrick - Involve
6. Christian Smith - System Of Survival (Dub)
7. Wehbba - Mammut
8. King Unique - Spikes
9. Robert Babicz - Welcome To The 90's
10.Nick Muir - Burkina Faso