This all-Australian hip-hop, breakbeat and drum’n’bass compilation, mixed by DJ Shredlock, has just been released to coincide with the Nokia-sponsored tour of the same name, which is currently showcasing Australia’s best producing talent at nine locations around the country. 

Prior to the tour, Nokia organised the ‘Connecting Beats’ competition, asking unsigned Aussie producers to submit original hip-hop, breaks and drum’n’bass tracks. A panel of judges has narrowed the entries down to the nine finalists, who are featured on the CD alongside some more well-known Aussie greats. This works as a great platform for new artists to gain exposure and for people like me, who constantly crave new music, to discover the hottest new local talent.

Nothing beats an album that works from start to finish without a single boring moment and despite the challenge of getting such a diverse range of styles in to one mix, Shredlock has definitely been successful in providing the goods with Terminal9. Starting with low-slung hip-hop treats from the likes of 2 Dogs, Downsyde and Koolism (most notably Koolism’s Last Tango In Paris), the album progresses naturally through breaks and then on to some harder drum’n’bassier tracks.

Slap by Melbourne artist Blueprint, is definitely the standout from the breaks section of the compilation and perhaps for the entire mix. With dirty-synth sounds that feel like they must share some kind of similarity to those we hear while in the womb, this is the type of track that would have even the most munted punter going hard at it on the dancefloor within seconds.

Just when you thought you were going to hear a whole mix-CD with no cheese, Brisbane trio My Ninja Lover come through with 2X2, a nice breaky track with smooth cheesy chick vocals. Don’t get me wrong though, what would a hip-hop, breaks and drum’n’bass compilation be without the cheese? It’s great in small doses and I’m glad to say this is the only track in the mix that I’d really consider cheesy.

The album ends with a quality string of very diverse drum’n’bass tracks, almost all of which come from ‘Connecting Beats’ entrants.  MC Shureshock then makes his only appearance on the final track, a quirky little 23 second outro which is worth a mention, since it definitely leaves you wanting more.
 
The tour winds up in Hobart on the 18th of December so make sure you find out when it’s coming to your city at http://www.terminal9.com.au. If you miss out on the show and you’re into any or all of the showcased genres, support the Aussie artists and fork out for this one. You won’t regret it.