Search - Robert Hood :: Fabric 39

Master of Minimal

David Wood | Auckland, New Zealand | 10/18/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Fabric 39 showcases Robert Hood's take on minimal techno. As a crucial and greatly esteemed figure in techno's history, and undeniably one of its pioneers, this set is an interesting 79-minute journey through stripped-back four-on-the-floor rhythms. There is very little to offend the listener, as all tracks have been stripped of irritating hooks and vocals, or anything else superfluous to rhythm. It is perhaps unsurprising then that the set's most memorable moments arrive with tracks that contain just a little bit more melodic and harmonic content. Hood's own `Who Taught You Math' is practically a symphony compared to the spartan tracks surrounding it, and is one of the highlights. Jeff Mills' `Skin Deep' sounds like the intro from a tech-trance track circa 2001, with the listener expecting a chord change at some point but never receiving one. Fab G's `Bust the Vibes (Real Disco Mix)' and Hood's `The Greatest Dancer' bring some classic disco samples to the mix, sounding strange in this context but irresistible nonetheless. Fabric 39 is a dry listen for much of its running time, but it is in the context of the mix that minimal techno gains much of its quality. If minimal techno isn't your bag, listen to the album first and buy the highlights on their own. If, on the other hand, you love Robert Hood's distinctive brand of techno, you will not be disappointed with the thirty-two tracks on this CD. But then again, you probably own this already."