Various Artists - Soul Jazz Records: Singles 2006-7

London-based Soul Jazz has previously been renowned for compilations spanning anything from classic reggae to New York post-punk, but the last two years have seen them release a string of 12” singles of astoundingly high quality. Few of the names are known (apart from the immortal ESG), but they cover a wide sonic spectrum, from the futuristic Krautrock-electro of Subway to the new mutant alien called dubstep, as practised by outfits such as Digital Mystikz and Skream. Boundaries are pushed in whatever field they land in, particularly the deep techno outings by Soul 223, Sutekh and JBP, whose tracks are more like hallucinogenic journeys. The set is spread over two CDs. Highlights of the first (unmixed) include Capracara’s magnificent acid house tribute Opal Rush, and two mini-riots from Subway, alongside Ladybug, Soul 223, Private Lives, Tetine and Matias Aguyo. Disc Two is mixed, leading off spectacularly with Matt “Radio Slave” Edwards under the Rekid banner with drug-house classic Retrospective, and the Tambourine Mix of ESG’s Insane before traversing the aforementioned names again but landing up with the bollocksome planetscapes of JBP’s Aphrotalk. This series has been immensely popular, so having them gathered in one spot is a smart move which will be welcomed by many.