Bedrock
One of the scene's best-known trance DJs, along with fellow Brit DJSasha, John Digweed continues his winning streak with this collection of sleek, beat-driven beauty. Working off a diverse set of obscure originals, Digweed burrows his way into one's subconscious, slipping in subdued rhythms and day-dreamy thematic elements with skillful grace. He has a patient ear for incorporating transitions between songs, and an uncommonly light touch. Even when the melodies drift away and the drum machines start to overwhelm, there's always a compelling pulse. Disc 2's "CC16," for example, is mercilessly danceable, yet Digweed cleverly employs a simple, sustained note that offsets the tension, offering friendly reassurance as it hangs delicately over the dance floor. Often working with Sasha on such standout trance collections asGlobal Underground 003: San Francisco, this record establishes Digweed as the light to Sasha's darker musical colorings. There's an almost obsessive insistence on flow, with mellow, languid phrases morphing into fleshed-out songs, then suddenly pulling back again in a barely noticed evolution. The album starts the process early on theUnderworld-like opening track, "Listen," pulling off the trick with a silky progression into Tiny Trendies' "The Sky Is Not Crying." From there, the entire CD unfolds with a lazy elegance, like a cat stretching after a long nap, giving further nuance to Digweed's reputation as a stellar mixologist.--Matthew Cooke