Search - Krafty Kuts :: Fabriclive.34

Solid grooves

Feminist Review blog | worldwide | 09/04/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am of the opinion that party music is best heard live while at the party. Loaded with funky break beats, old school rhythms, hip hop, MC style and unique mash-ups, suffice it to say that popping in Fabriclive 34 on my home stereo while trying to keep it down (paper thin apartment walls) didn't do this mix appropriate justice.



Brought to us by the internationally known and hyped DJ mix series from the London-based nightclub, Fabric, breakbeat DJ Krafty Kuts joins the lineup up of notables like Grooverider, Diplo and Death in Vegas, to put together his album, which is the 34th in the Fabric Live mix series. The more I listened to this mix, the more I enjoyed it. Translation: Initially, I wasn't blown away, but there were pockets of excitement that kept me going that I could appreciate the more I let the music take me over. Of course, break beats aren't for everyone -- this isn't your regular dance stuff that gets played over the speakers at Abercrombie.



While "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash is easily one of the most overused tracks of all time, the high-speed spacey remix actually reinvigorates a track that would otherwise be trite. I thought tracks like "The Weekend Breaks" were not quite as strong because they tended to sound more typical, but these don't dominate the album. The mixes tend to get funkier and groovier on the second half, such as the second to last track featuring Dynamite MC and the aptly titled final track "Funky Jam (Primal Scream)." Having a special place in my heart for funkier sounds, these later tracks got me up out of my office chair and snapping my fingers! If I heard these in the club, you know I would be jamming.



Both astute and new listeners will be impressed by the range of genres cohabitating on this album, from the tried and true of Grandmaster to the salsa rhythms on Ralph Robles' "Takin' Over" (which became a quick favorite). Though some of the faster and harder sounds on the opening tracks might not appeal to everyone, if you didn't give it a chance you would definitely be missing out on some solid grooves."

Headphone Commute Review

Headphone Commute | 11/02/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The FabricLive series has celebrated some really amazing output since its launch seven years ago. The monthly (!) compilation releases started in November 2001, by the London based nightclub Fabric. Alternating monthly between Fabric and FabricLive series, the club's offshoot label has covered a diversity of genres, from tech house to drum'n'bass, from dubstep to hip hop, from electro to disco. The mixed compilations feature an excellent roster of DJs and artists spearheading stylistic underground and commercial movements. Some of my most recent favorite FabricLive mixes feature Noisia, Caspa & Rusko, Spank Rock, High Contrast and DJ Craze. This 34th release (June 2007), is put together by Martin Randal, who goes by the name of Krafty Kuts. Randal is a Brighton (England) based electronic breakbeat producer and a DJ. In the last three years, he has has won the "Best DJ" title from the Breakspoll Awards. And this compilation does not under-perform. Krafty Kuts pulls out his crate favorites, like old-skool rap from Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five and funky electro from Milke. The production is top notch, the mixing is of course superb, and the sounds are super fresh. I especially love Krafty's layering of acappellas over other instrumentals to create new sounds and essentially remixes. Artists appearing on the mix include Tim Deluxe, DJ Icey, Plump DJ's, Madox, Aquasky, Freestylers, and Primal Scream among the many. I was last this excited about the FabricLive album when I reviewed The Herbaliser's contribution towards 26th volume. Perfect for a weekend drive. Recommended if you want to catch up on the latest breakbeat sound. And I'm sure I'll be raving about other FabricLive releases pretty soon."