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Fabric London is one of the world’s most famous clubs. Even without its acclaimed Fabric and FabricLive CD series, avid clubbers who have just stepped off the plane in the biggest smoke of them all would still have only one thing on their minds. Yet the series is perhaps the best in the world when it comes to offering an audible experience of a night out at this remarkable club. Berlin techno princess Ellen Allien has been chosen to mix Fabric 34. It was love at first listen for this techno newbie.
I have to admit, I am diving in at the deep end here. I have only just recently fallen head over heels in love with techno. It all began when I had thoughts (which are still alive) of living in Germany. I thought ‘I had better brush up on my techno knowledge before I go.’ At first I thought it would be something that I could take or leave, but no, I am hooked. I must also admit that I had only recently learned of Ellen Allien and the impact that she has made on the techno sound since it first took off in Berlin. I am eternally grateful for being given the chance to review this CD, as it has concluded my rite of passage into techno fanfare.
But enough about me, Ellen Allien’s love affair with techno and acid house began in London (at the old Wag Club) way back in 1988 following a one year stay in the capital. Fast forward three years; Ellen Allien found herself spinning at Fischlabor, a club night which launched the careers of many pioneering DJs within the Berlin scene. Since then Ellen Allien has performed at almost every landmark techno promotion (including Tresor, of course). Allien has also hosted numerous radio shows (namely Kiss FM Berlin) and her record label and club night Bpitch Control helped shape the iconic Berlin scene and sound as it is known and loved today. Albums, tours and Berlin feature documentary film presentations soon followed.
Allien is well known for purveying futuristic sounds whilst pushing the envelope. Long time Allien fans will have a better idea than I do of how Allien is upholding this very reputation with her Fabric 34 mix, however I get the impression that she is doing just that. From start to finish her mix is flawless. The programming is amazing, providing testament to nearly two decades of artistic experience. Every track has a dark, hypnotic, surreal and/or futuristic quality. You can chill out to this mix or close your eyes and imagine that you are in the middle of the dance floor at Fabric, Bpitch Control or the (newly reopened) Tresor.
The opening track; ‘S1’ by Schubert gets the mix going with reverberating percussion and sound effects. ‘S1’ is only one track within a handful of numbers which lean towards a minimal sound. The funky bleeps and blurps give way to the electro-tech inspired ‘The Sun Can’t Compare’ by Larry Heard pres. Mr. White. Fans of artists who present a similar sound to M.A.N.D.Y.’s will dig this track. The other more noticeable feature of ‘The Sun Can’t Compare’ is its vocals, which set the melodic tone which will follow through until the conclusion of Fabric 34.
The mix then progresses into smoky, dark and hypnotic territory as Allien introduces ‘Tu Y Yo (Peros Nos Volvemos A Levantar’). This is a very short track which quickly leads into the peak tune (and my personal favourite) of the set; Don Williams’ ‘Orderly Chaos.’ This track, with its thumping kick drum, has a contradictory feel about it which complements its title. The track seems futuristic but it also features a ‘classic’ techno feel. Below the bassline lives a funky underbelly which features short, sharp organ stabs. Residing above the percussion is a layer of reverberating synths which inspires a spaced out feeling. The atmosphere created by both ‘Tu Y Yo’ and ‘Organised Chaos’ is nothing short of breath-taking.
The twists and turns are many but they have been programmed in a way which will not shock the listener. The transitions are smooth and I get the impression that Ellen Allien has succeeded in one of the biggest hurdles faced by any DJ; the age old problem of compacting or summarising an extended set into an eighty minute mix CD format. Following on from a series of lighter tracks which allow the listener to come up for air after diving to the abyss with ‘Organised Chaos,’ Allien introduces ‘Mutter’ by Roman Flugel. The subtle beat and bassline featured in this minimal tune coupled with a cacophony of sound effects (namely a bell rung at a very, very soft and low pitch) create a strange kind of dark jazziness (which is absent in the more popularised version of minimal which is coming out the woodwork at the moment).
The intelligent minimal mood continues straight after ‘Mutter’ as Allien drops ‘Harrowdown Hill’ by Thom Yorke. His voice, the lyrics and the gentle, drawn out synth (which almost sounds reminiscent of a violin) create a somewhat psychologically haunting atmosphere. Subtle guitar strokes complete this track’s dark composition. Following straight on from Thom Yorke’s complex masterpiece is a work by Ellen Allien herself, entitled ‘Just A Woman,’ thus re-injecting a bit of energy back into the mix by way of a tribalistic percussion and several layers of minimalistic synthetic melody.
Ellan Allien’s Fabric 34 mix concludes with two more standout tracks, the first of which is entitled ‘Heartthrob’ by Baby Kate (which features Plastikman on the remix). This is deep and dark minimal techno at its very best. Short, sharp synth stabs and psychedelic (I am using this term lightly) interrupt a beat & bassline which all come together to create a marvellously subterranean atmosphere. I would love to hear a track like this in a small, intimate dark club. The last track; ‘Apparat’ by Arcadia took me by surprise as once again a melodic vocal is introduced. Underneath the vocal lies a broken drum beat (featuring real drum sounds) and a beautifully deep and dark melody.
Fabric 34 by Ellen Allien really has captured my attention and imagination. As I have mentioned, I am new to techno and this mix is one of a select few which have inspired me to go from being a casual observer to an avid fan of the sound. I am sure that fans of Ellen Allien, new or not quite so new, will love this mix as much as I do. Just beware, if you are planning a trip to London and you want to listen to this or any Fabric CD before you hit the club; you can’t take mp3 or CD players as hand luggage on flights to Heathrow! Stopover in Berlin, anyone?
