(Fabric/DMC)

This latest release in the well-respected Fabric series chalks up number fourteen for the series, which always strongly represents unique tunes from many genres ranging from breaks, house, progressive to techno. This time round the cd is mixed by Stacey Pullen who graced Australia’s shores late last year with a special guest performance at Sounds on Sunday where he rocked the courtyard to similar sounds as those found on this compilation. Pullen is known internationally as a techno and house DJ but he also puts in a significant amount of time working on studio productions.

Pullen started to DJ in the late eighties after a short break to complete his studies then over the years has moved further into production. His mentors in the Detroit techno scene are some huge names including Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson and over the years Pullen has used his knowledge to push jazz and blues sounds into his work. This mix cd is the first from Pullen for over 7 years during which he has only released production work and played around the world.

The mix starts with the tribal bounce of Cutlab – Spacey Bongo, a tune that builds from atmospheric bongo’s into a cruising house beat. The rolling bongo lines and rhodes melodies create an amazing vibe to kick this cd off with. BB Boogie – I Got It brings forth a classic summertime house vibe with its crisp percussion and layered echoed vocals, while the deep ‘whumping’ bass lines and straight-ahead groove of Vibe Residents – The Djs Calling EP follow. Pullen’s use of level mixing can be heard throughout the mix as he constantly works each track in the mix. This is standard for his sets and when he played in Australia he specified to have an Allen & Heath mixer for his set at Sounds.

Other highlight tunes throughout the mix include Pure Science – Get It Back which has a classic Saunderson vibe to it. Quality tech house with tidy build-ups that showcase the sort of energy this man lets loose when playing live. The smooth sounds of Peace Division – Beatz and Peacez move away from the tribal intensity of the mix with sexy sultry vocals and smooth deep house beats. Moodyman – Music People has a booming disco vibe to it, overlaid with a fresh house bass line, but the brass instrument riffs and soulful vocals make sure the old skool vibe is not lost. Men With Sticks – 3RD is a tribal monster that kicks in with some Indian chanting and then proceeds to build higher and higher into a huge tribal tech house tune. The mix finishes with Solid Groove – Flookin’ which is a flurry of broken house beats that showcases some amazing percussion sequencing.

Overall, this cd is jam-packed full of smooth mixing as Pullen continually manages to snap across to the next track in an interesting manner. Fans of funky and tribal house with a tougher edge will enjoy this mix cd. At many points throughout the mix Pullen simply ripping up the mix with some amazing movement between tracks which already have an amazing party sound. The mix has been described as ‘a full on aural assault of red-hot sonic sparks’ and this is quite a fair way to try to label the vibe created by the intense percussion and funky grooves contained throughout its fourteen tracks. If you like the sound of that then check it out as soon as possible.

Track Listing:

01 Cutlab – Spacey Bongo
02 BB Boogie – I Got It
03 Vibe Residents – The Djs Calling EP
04 Shuffle Heads – Roll Call
05 Pure Science – Get It Back
06 Peace Division – Beatz and Peacez
07 Magoo – Slips, Trips & Falls
08 Niquid – Saxaphobia
09 Moodyman – Music People
10 Men With Sticks – 3RD
11 DIY – EP #2 Hold On
12 Tabass Nocturn – The Drum
13 Dave Angel – Catch 2
14 Solid Groove – Flookin’