It’s been a big year for UK breaks duo The Stanton Warriors. First the release of the long overdue double album “The Lost Files/The Stanton Sessions 2” and now this compilation in the revered Fabric Live series, a CV must for anyone who’s anyone in the world of broken beats. With a reputation for a tightly guarded collection of bootlegs, re-edits and one offs, since their debut at the turn of the century the duo of Dominic B and Mark Yardley have remained a highly sought after act amongst dance music fans.

With such a gap between 2001’s ‘The Stanton Sessions’ and this years collection of releases, one could argue “the more the better”. But with two mix albums in short succession there remained the question on how well each would hold their own. The Stanton Sessions 2 kept to the formula of the first in the series of being a collection of primarily Stanton’s productions and remixes, in this case with a deep and bouncy feel to it. Fabric Live 30 immediately impacts as being a little grittier and edgier. The mix still has the Stantons stamp all over it, with 10 of the 16 tracks being produced or remixed by the duo, and no doubt others having subtler rub ups. However Fabric Live 30 is pitched at a later time slot than it’s earlier cousin..

Beginning with the minimal leanings of Kerri Chandler’s ‘Planet Sonic’ the scene is set early with 80s influenced electro beats and a Spank Rock acapella for the Stanton’s bootylicious feel. The darker edged beats continue with a similar feel courtesy of the likes of Peace Division and Booka Shade, coming to a head with Claude Vonstroke’s ‘Who’s Afraid of Detroit?’. ‘Pop Ya Virus’ is a reworking of the earlier Stanton’s classic of similar name. Whilst recent Stanton faves such as ‘Shake It Up’ make appearances as acapella’s over more fitting beats for the mix.

Fabric Live 30 is pitched directly at the dancefloor and is bound to please those who prefer things a little deeper and darker. It’s full of everything that has won the Stanton’s their legion of fans, from cheeky live bootlegs to signature re-edits. Definitely one of the better of Fabric Live mixes in recent years and a fine companion for the Stanton’s earlier releases.