In 2006, having built a formidable reputation for quality compilations of esoteric musical strains from around the world, Soul Jazz started signing current artists, kicking off with a delectable string of 12-inchers boasting an organic rejuvenation of acid house’s original exploratory blueprint, starting with Capracara’s stunning ‘Opal Rush’. When the first two years of singles were compiled onto Soul Jazz Records Singles 2006-2007, dubstep’s was creeping in from names like Digital Mystikz and Kode 9: shadowy night-stalking dubscapes, sometimes underpinning hard-hitting spoken messages.
On this second volume, which ropes together 50-tracks over three CDs [including limited mix CD], it’s all but taken over with the groundbreaking techno hardly anywhere to be heard. The original dubstep signings are joined by new names like Cult Of The 13th Hour and Ramadanman, reggae-based romps by Tayo and Pinch plus rampant dancehall from Warrior Queen and Kalbata, all showing how dub can still influence 40 years after its birth. Good old-fashioned dance music is represented by the lustrous house of Secondo and ethereal Matias Aguayo with fiery Brazilians Tetine bringing a shouty punk element. The two most unusual tracks are also the highlights as label stalwarts Subway sculpt two jawdropping krautrock expeditions, their hypnotic motorik underpinning shimmering synths which grow into cathartic sonic skyscrapers. They must make an album.
4 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Kris Needs
