The laundry was actually looking a little quieter than usual when I arrived, compared to the crowds I’ve seen there recently – it was a pretty average turnout. Despite this though the atmosphere was everything I’ve come to expect from the Laundry lately; plenty of dancefloor mania but with a relaxed and friendly vibe.  

We were celebrating the launch of Forefront II, an all Aussie compilation CD featuring tracks from the breaks and garage communities. EK and Garage Pressure who mixed and compiled the CD were both playing backed up by the man of the moment DJ Dopamine, who set the scene with an hour of his signature breaks. As usual almost everything he played he had also made, which makes for a pleasant break from the usual club tracks. He is producing some really amazing stuff at the moment and although he is surprisingly absent from the compilation CD his appearance at the launch acknowledges his competence.

EK was up next with another great set of heavy dancefloor breaks. EK is one of the more reclusive Australian breaks producers but also one of the best with a track record of releases that speaks for it self. This was the first time I’ve seen him behind the decks and as expected he was more than capable. The tracks were really some of the best I’ve heard in a while and I suspect the majority were also his. Either way most of the music was new to me, something I count as a big plus. He had the cave rocking for a good hour and a half and although I made the occasional foray into the Laundry to catch an earful of jackin tech house the Cave was where the action was.

Garage Pressure was the closer for the evening and given the compilation and his name I had been expecting a little garage or 2-step. Alas I didn’t stay long enough to find out as for the first half hour or so of his set, he kept the breaks coming thick and fast before I decided to call it quits.

All up another great night at the Laundry which is going from strength to strength at the moment with some impressive line-ups. Given their roster over the next few weeks (Kraymon, Ils, Atomic Hooligan) it would also seem that Sydney has quickly found a new home for breaks after the demise of Hijack. It’s also great to see the support for the local scene and you know we must be on to a good thing when you can hear such quality homegrown tunes for a whole night.