Devoid of visible stars and pin-up faces, the broken beat sound continues apace.
Compilations like this only help to cement a global fan base devoted to twisted riddims and deeper textures.
The above sentence, read aloud, couldn't be more poncey of course. But it shouldn't be forgotten that tunes like these can rock crowds just as well as harder, more inane beats. The trick, for the DJ, isn't to go too hard too quickly.
To that end soulful deep-houser's like Abacus' vocal 'Sweet Embrace', cajole rather than commandeer dancefloor limbs. And any accusations of softness should be met by Zero dB's sub-bass assault, on their battacuda-tastic mix of Grupo Batuque.
Tom & Julie's 'Like Yours' (wasn't Tom with Joyce five minutes ago, the tart?!) are a bit twee but then along will come the Afronaught mix of Jon Cutler to save the day.
A Jazzanova DJ-set fave, it combines tasty sharp beats with a dead hooky funk guitar lick.
There's also a welcome feel of Detroit over much of this comp, especially in Kirk Degiorgio, P'taah and Charlie Dark's general vicinity.
Following the amazing 'Sound Of Click' collection, it seems the fresh Keep Diggin' camp will most definitely be ones to watch in 2003 and beyond.
