DJ: Desyn Masiello.
Discovering yet another way to skin a flogged horse, U.K. progressive titan John Digweed offers up the first in this new series of mix CDs, cunningly titled Bedrock Original Series. This is of course fraud of the highest order, because there is nothing less original in 2004 than releasing a mix CD. Then, when you discover that the first issue, creatively titled OS.01, has been mixed by London stalwart DJ Desyn Masiello, who opened for Digweed on his obviously titled End of Summer tour, and it becomes clear that this mix is yet another in the endless example of DJ endowment, where a senior jock decides to boost the profile of a younger buck. But not enough that the veteran might someday lose any gigs to the greenhorn. Then again, this is how Dave Ralph first became known on American shores, opening for Paul Oakenfold, so it's not totally a bad thing. For his part, Masiello does his best to stand out from Diggers, opting for tracks with a techier, housier feel than his dark and progressive patron. The opening "Fake Love" by Future Beat Alliance walks the fine line between arpeggiated Detroit techno and more trance-like fare, while cuts by Prawler, Community Spirit, and Jaime Anderson segue together in disco-house heaven, a combination of styles similar to John Acquaviva. If only this disc had been titled DJ Mix, we might feel less cheated. ~ Joshua Glazer minimize