Will Saul’s Aus Music label has now reached not just 10 years in existence, but 100 releases – a feat Saul himself admitted he did not imagine in his dreams! The label has done it through a concentration on bass-driven house music, but it has never been afraid to widen its arms and include a few outside influences such as dub and garage. This flexible approach, tied with rigorous quality control, has provided a sound blueprint over that decade, as the music on this triple album celebration testifies. Youandewan’s ‘Sicko’ brings in a bit of UK garage, Marquis Hawkes gives an enjoyably bumpy ride through the wonderfully positive ‘No Rush’, while Komon’s ‘Euclidean’ is a really nice, airy bit of music with slightly broken beat. Shenoda’s ‘Minute’ is likewise, only more euphoric – while on the darker side of the spectrum there is no nonsense techno from Deetron (‘Cycle’) or acidic squiggles from Pearson Sound as part of the tense ‘Standoff’. With a continuous mix from Saul itself, this collection is self-recommending – and only heightens the anticipation for another ten years and another 100 releases. Here’s hoping!
5 out of 5
Reviewed by: Ben Hogwood
