If you are a fan of progressive music then the name Bedrock is probably enough to make you want to own this release without the need to spend any more time reading this review. After all, has there ever been an occasion when anything related to John Digweed’s label has been anything other than top quality? His releases always contain top quality material, so stop reading and go and source yourself a copy right now. Apparently the people at inthemix have told me that I’m obliged to write a little bit more than that, so here goes!

Bedrock 12 is an unmixed CD that showcases music released by the Bedrock label as opposed to the mixed format that John always excels at and includes releases from producers such as Quivver, Christian Smith and of course John Digweed and Nick Muir.

The standard practice of having a downtempo disc and an up tempo disc is certainly evident here, but it’s far less pronounced than I would normally expect it to be. There are some lighter tracks in the first half of disc one, but the tempo lifts earlier than I would expect and in many respects the differences between the discs are somewhat minimal.

The first track that really catches my attention is Wiretappeur’s Too Much Space. I’m not sure if the title refers to a lack of a meaningful relationship, the size and make up of the Universe or too much partying in Ibiza, but what I do know is I really enjoying hearing it. It manages to be quite relaxed and yet there are some nice build-ups that give the track the atmosphere of a storm gathering on a summer day. You may be basking in the warmth of the sun, but you can see the storm clouds gathering on the horizon!

There’s nothing stormy about Vincenzo and LovebirdsEpic though. This melodic little track reminds me of a slower version of the productions BT was creating in the late ‘90s, and it’s a really pleasant surprise finding it here.

John Graham aka Quivver is one of my all time favourite producers and his latest release Orgazoid is an absolute belter. The first deeper, more tribal version appears on disc one, whilst a version with more driving energy appears on the second disc. I have been trying to work out for ages which one I prefer, but I just can’t split them. I hope that you get as much enjoyment trying to work it out as I have!

By the back end of the first disc the house sound wanes and Bedrock’s usual darker, deeper style has really started to assert itself. Firstly we have the bizarre yet compelling Ediolic Spectra by Max Cooper which sounds to me like a courtship mating dance between a hippopotamus and an arachnid – once you’ve heard it you’ll know what I mean. Hot on its heels is another release by the amazing Christian Smith. If you’ve never heard his tracks before, do yourself a favour and locate Flyer Talk – it’s truly amazing and once again his latest release System of Survival is right on the money. I think this would have to be my nomination for the equal best track on the album.

The placing of Nick Warren’s ambient version of In Search of Silver is a bit strange though. I would have had this as the opening track on the album, but placed here at the end of the first disc it’s almost saying to the listener “go on have a little nap – you’ll need all your energy for disc two”. Well go on then and I’ll see you again in a moment!

The second disc follows a very similar pattern to the first disc, with the early tracks providing a lighter mood to start, but the dark energy arrives far earlier the second time around. Alan Fitzpatrick’s Involve is the first of these darker tunes and it sounds how “the little train that could” would if it worshipped Satan and lived on a diet of steroids.

But before Alan’s dark chugging attack on the nervous system comes around the mountain, we’re treated to not one but two tracks by John Digweed and Nick Muir. They may have stopped using the Bedrock moniker for their collaborations, but it still doesn’t affect the quality of the work they put out. The pick of the two is Bilder which is full of beautiful warm melody and is a definite summer track. I could well imagine this tune being played at an outdoors party at twilight on a warm summers evening and it going down a treat – fantastic stuff indeed.

Earlier I mentioned that Christian Smith’s System of Survival was the equal best track on the compilation. Well the track it is equal to is Christian Smith’s System of Survival (dub). I always thought that a dub was a slower version of a particular song, but this version is exactly the same pace as original – it just has a heavier bass feel to it, as if it’s the same song being played on a superior sound system.

There a so many great tunes on this album and I’m not going to waste any more of your valuable time giving my opinions on them individually. But I am going to reiterate that I think you should already be on your way out to get a copy of this album. In fact, I think you should buy two copies and use them to create your own mixed album!

Bedrock 12 compiled by John Digweed is out now through Bedrock/Balance Music, distributed by EMI.