Artist: John Digweed & Nick Muir
Title: Aquatonic
Label: Bedrock Records
By: Simon Jones | 27 February 2009
Tracklist:

• A: Original Mix
• B: Alan Fitzpatrick Mix

John Digweed & Nick Muir "Aquatonic"

John Digweed and Nick Muir's career history is well documented, with many of their releases regarded as some of the best to emerge on the Bedrock imprint, not to mention their remix work and work in other industries such as tv and film. While in recent times they've both pursued solo endeavours to a certain extent, it was only a matter of time before they returned to the studio and taken from the 10th anniversary project comes their new single 'Aquatonic'.

At first, the original version of 'Aquatonic' suggests a departure from the trademark production values that we've come to associate with the work of Messrs Digweed and Muir or their Bedrock side project over the years but peel away the many mechanical infused layers of this track and the underlying trademark bass is still intact. Granted its impact is somewhat less when compared to prior work but highlights that the duo are more than capable of producing great music, fitting that brooding electronic industrial vibe that graces many of the European tracks that Digweed plays these days.

After his excellent interpretation of Misstress Barbara's 'K10' on the 10th anniversary remix project, Alan Fitzpatrick returns to Bedrock to add his own re-imagined take on 'Aquatonic'. Keeping the same dark edge as the original, he weaves a hypnotic path forward with some white noise fx and weaving the foghorn-esque sound through the layers of bass and percs. The understated bass works well and all in all the underrated newcomer Fitzpatrick presents yet another great late night piece of progressive techno that proves his worth as a name to watch in the months ahead.

'Aquatonic' is an interesting single for a number of reasons. While the Bedrock purists and progressive house diehards may cling to the hope of another peak time classic, this latest single, in its own way, is just as defining as it highlights the underlying development of the Bedrock imprint that has been occurring for quite some time. Furthermore, it proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that the label has always pushed beyond the preconceived conceptions that have been placed upon it, now more so than ever.