We have seen Bedrock label boss John Digweed go from strength to strength in his compilation series Transition on Renaissance, as his skills of editing and layering tracks intelligently evolved with the advancement of computer technologies from installment to installment. This time in the latest compilation album on his own label, we see arguably his best effort in recent years.
Composed of 2 mixed, and 1 unmixed discs, Bedrock Eleven has altogether 28 unreleased and exclusive tracks. And as suggested by Digweed himself, this album adopts a futuristic approach: ‘as we follow on from last year’s 10 year celebration album Past Present Future, the main focus on this new album is the future.’
After the first three tracks set the tone for Disc 1, the unreleased dub of Digweed and Nick Muir’s Aquatonic begins to introduce some spacey vibe to the mix; then it is in the next 3 tracks, namely, Nick Muir’s edit of Guy J’s Mikro, Guy J’s remix of the Bedrock classic Futurized Fears by Moonface and Giorgos Gatzgristos’ Binary Star System, that the futuristic quality of this mix really shines. Dark, sophisticated, and resonating, they constitute the key moment of this mix. The mix is then lifted up by some energetic tracks like Anton Pieete’s remix of Christian Smith & John Selway’s Mistral, and Pete Heller’s acidic bomb Sabotage. After the epic breakdown in Petar Dundov’s remix of Alan Fitzpatrick’s Reflection (those 3 were released on Bedrock), the mix is ended with Henry Saiz’s unreleased remix of Guy J’s super-melodic Lamur.
With Disc 2, Digweed further elaborates the futuristic vibe in the first half of Disc 1 and delivers arguably one of the best CD mixes in recent years. Alan Fitzpatrick’s Reflection kicks start the mix with some blissed-out melodies, and is then segued into Giorgos Gatzgristos’ Pencils For the Weak, a cutting-edge techno affair featuring sci-fi-sounding synths and bass. The innovative treatment of old school synth riffs by James Zabiela in Tylium continues with the futuristic mood, which is sustained by the sharp and metallic stabs in Rowdent’s Found It and the electronic buzzers in Maher Daniel’s remix of Tone Depth’s Rumblefish.
The throbbing bassline and hypnotic but driving synth riffs in Erphun’s The Little Rascal render a great deal of intensities, and whilst the mix marches forward energetically in the next few tracks, the energy level soars drastically in Digweed and Nick Muir’s Tangent, undoubtedly one of the best tunes in 2009. Almost like a miniature or blueprint of this mix, this track features futuristically twisted melodic layers and a torrential rhythm, and is an absolute killer that can destroy any dancefloor. It is then beautifully contrasted with the dark and haunting vocals in Marc Marzenit’s Unexpiritualized—an utterly intelligent programming move by Digweed and a defining moment of this mix.
Henry Saiz’s updated version of Bedrock’s Emerald is able to capture the emotive quality of the original whilst give it a contemporary twist, and it paves the path for the epic finale My Black Dog by Suicide Sports Club (Gutterstylz Alternative Dub). Driving by the invigorating vocals and synth riffs, it wraps the mix up in a sublime fashion. As for the unmixed Disc 3, it features some of the great tracks in the previous discs, and some other gems like Spooky’s remix of Tylium and Guy J’s remix of another Bedrock classic Pushin Too Hard by Saints & Sinners; it is indeed a great treat for the DJs.
In Bedrock Eleven, we see how the legendary John Digweed, who is obviously on top form, executes his innovative ideas with his impeccable track selection, mixing and programming. Brilliantly crafted, this album is undeniably one of the best in 2009.
Tracklisting:
CD 1
1. Mutant Clan - On and Amp
2. Dirty Mongrel - Cream
3. Alex Dolby and Santos - Babylon
4. John Digweed & Nick Muir – Aquatonic - Unreleased Dub
5. Guy J - Mikro - Nick Muir Edit
6. Moonface - Futiurized Fears - Guy J Remix
7. Giorgos Gatzgristos - Binary Star System
8. Christian Smith & John Selway - Mistral - Anton Pieete Remix
9. Marco Bailey - Jungle Laps
10. Pete Heller - Sabotage - Acid Dub
11. Mutant Clan - Persuader
12. Christian Smith & John Selway - Daytona
13. Alan Fitzpatrick - Reflections - Petar Dundov Remix
14. Guy J - Lamur - Henry Saiz Unreleased Remix
CD 2
1. Alan Fitzpatrick - Reflections
2. Giorgos Gatzgristos - Pencils For The Weak
3. James Zabiela - Tylium
4. Rowdent - Found It
5. Tonedepth - Rumblefish - Maherdaniel Remix
6. Erphun - The Little Rascal
7. Alex Dolby and Santos - No Walls
8. Guy Gerber - Stoppage Time – Reshuffle Remix
9. Marc Marzenit - Not Assigned
10. John Digweed & Nick Muir – Tangent
11. Marc Marzenit - Unexpiritualized
12. Marc Marzenit - Expiritualized feat Mastafaktor
13. Bedrock – Emerald - Henry Saiz Remix
14. Suicide Sports Club - My Black Dog - Gutterstylz Alternative Dub
CD 3 Unmixed Bonus Disc
1. Alan Fitzpatrick – Reflections - Reprise
2. Rowdent - Eat Your Heart Out
3. Christian Smith & John Selway - Daytona - John Digweed & Nick Muir Remix
4. Tijuana - Groove Is In The Air - Tom Budden’s Alive Remix
5. Rowdent - Found it
6. Saints and Sinners - Pushin Too Hard - Guy J Remix
7. James Zabiela – Tylium - Spooky Remix
8. Guy J - Lamur - Henry Saiz Unreleased Remix
9. Tonedepth - Rumblefish - Maherdaniel Remix
10. Marco Bailey - Jungle Laps
11. Erphun – Termination Sequence