Currently getting major play in my audio world is a collection of EPs from Aus Music entitled 'All Night Long.' Aus is a subsidiary of Simple Records, and both are run by London-based producer and DJ Will Saul. In 2008, Simple put out one of my favorite releases of the year, Motorcitysoul's 'Technique,' and Aus put out the excellent 'Electronic Frank' by Lee Jones (another one of last year's best full-length releases).
There are 3 'All Night Long' EPs, including tracks from Saul with collaborators Tam Cooper and Lee Jones. Jones has a couple tracks here on his own (including the excellent 'Lab'), as does Sian, who is the subject of Aus's latest release (the 'Tonight' EP). EP 2 is interesting in that it features work from producers primarily associated with dubstep - both Applebim and Martyn have work included here.
On the 'All Night Long' EPs, the tracks throughout can be characterized, I think, in the tech house micro genre (although I'm sure many a techno-phile would argue that with me in any number of directions, genre distinctions in techno music being as ghettoized as they are). Regardless of genre labels, what you get here is driving, idiosyncratic, melodic, dynamic music that works nicely in a DJ application (I've currently got 'Squeeze' by Will Saul and Lee Jones in my upcoming Oktave set), but can also be cross-purposed for general iPod or home listening.
For me, it's not necessarily the bangers and the peak time techno tracks that make for the most enjoyable and utilitarian experiences - I prefer music like what's on the 'All Night Long' EPs - you can dance to it, sure, but it also challenges the aural receptors and pleases the longing for melody, harmony, and dynamic impact.
Highly recommended stuff...
jD
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