(Silent Recordings)

Australian label Silent Recordings has packaged a worthy collection of local tracks from artists like Shapeshifter (feat Lady 6), Deepchild, Alterboy, Pnau (remix of Jenny Morris – Downtime), Orisha, Tonemeister, Soundlab, Telemetry Orchestra, Amphibian, Coda, Entropic, and Old Man Time & the Keepers.

The collection takes in nu-breaks, electro-breaks and drum ‘n’ bass, with a formula that slants towards the use of organic musical instruments, and vocal artists.

Kicking off this box of goodies is the smooth grace and soul of Lady 6 featured on Shapeshifter – Move With Me ... “Take me to the forever show, make me feel complete. Make me see some of it’s ready, make feel complete.” If you’ve ever wanted to know how drum n bass can still be powerful on a down tempo level, this track is the perfect introduction to it.

Pnau sprinkle their highly acclaimed magic with a Where the Wild Things Are remix of Jenny Morris’s – Downtime. Not as vibrant or energetic as some of their previous works, but I’m a sucker for a great saxophone melody. They definitely spice up things with their element of ‘house’ to this package.

With a standout vocal delivery that is stripped down, haunting, dark and shiver-stricken, Orisha – Diversion is another successful and fresh take on drum n bass. A masterpiece to say the least, that’s more than worthy of a high rotation star. I love being surprised with music, and this track is a golden example of that.

Among the various other gems on this CD, Coda have outdone themselves with a previously unreleased track Holy City. This is a composition piece that proves how nu-breaks (or any other style) is limited only by a musician’s imagination and talent. This is one of my favourite tracks on the CD and is worthy of a high rotation star.

Other notable mentions have to go to an electro flavour that accompanies Telemetry Orchestra’s female vocalist on Shutterspeed; while ripples of fat trumpet melody are engraved in Nightswimmer’s Drowning Remix of Amphibian – Orphan.

The Nocturnal Emission project is again proof that we truly do have an abundance of dance music talent in this country. It’s a showcase of artists who are great at producing various elements of breaks or drum n bass, with a huge dose of originality and twist.

Highly recommended!