FABRICLIVE 24 : Diplo

:)

Classic mix from the legendary Diplo. So many obscure jams on here.

FUN N FRANTIC ELECTRO BREAKS N BEATS - An interesting one to me because I'm not really a fan of Ludakris or any other commercial type of sound but in this mix it kinda works although it moves into a worse mix. The full frontal electro mix laced with Dancehall and Hip hop has plenty of naughty pace and cheeky beats, which changes a little throughout. I actually didn't mind it and I am surprised at myself! There have been other Fabric cd's such as Freq Nasty and Toddla T which took the heavy dancehall n agressive Dubstep just too far for me. This is like a toned down version. listenable indeed.

You'd think that if Fabric asked you to mix one of their Fabriclive compilations you'd make damn sure you made a good job of it. Not the case with Diplo. The track selection is pretty good and you can get a pretty good idea of Diplos musical influences. He incorporates reggae, hip hop, ska, electronica and 80's pop but the mixing and sequencing of tracks is so amateurish you wonder how he dared hand it in. I do believe that 90% of what makes a good DJ is musical taste and 10% technical ability. It is mainly about the music but when it's thrown together in such a shoddy way with no attention paid to rythym, melody or harmony it makes for an unsatisfying listening experience.

I like Fabriclive cd series because there is so much diversity, so many great mixers, and the CDs are cheap.Diplo, on the otherhand stormed onto the international scene in 2003 with a single Epistemology Suite and followed up with the album Florida in 2004. This year, a mix on Fabriclive and a single called Diplo Rhythm warrants more attention to directional vision into clubland music.The mix starts with some clever chilled Miami Hip Hop vibes before flowing through a multi genre compilation. In fact the CD has 26 tracks, and at least 6 major genre changes, and a tracklist from 1983 to some unrealeased cuts;hip hop, breakbeat, electro, rap, ska and indie are all featured in this single mix.There are occasions where technical questioning would be asked, but the songs just have the ability to go from one genre to the next with scratches, cuts and 3 deck mixing.Overall, the mix is a nice CD, but I wouldn't necessarily want to be in a the main room at the club with this mixer holding fort.

Another excellent Fabriclive. Look at the tracklisting to know what to expect, typical Diplo and he keeps it interesting the whole way through.

On first listen i did wonder what Mr Diplo had done here because it just annoyed me with only a few tracks which i enjoyed from the off, such as The Cure - Love Song and of course Aphex Twin - Windowlicker. i have had this cd for a few weeks now and after a dedicated listen on my ipod complete with my big ass Sony DJ headphones, a bottle of jacks and loud speakers, this mixtape is now grown on me to be a fav to listen to. Give it time and you will learn to love it (but not track DJ Deeon - Freaks - just poop!!!)

I own several of the Fabric mix series, and this has to be my favourite one. At times the mixing on this one can be questionable, but that's what adds to the charm of this CD and gives it some character. It makes a refreshing change to hear something that doesn't sound like it was mixed by a computer, and sounds like a live mix. The shear breadth of styles in this mix keeps your ears interested from start to finish. You'll lose track of the genres included on this one, but at last count they seemed to be Techno, Electro, House, Hip Hop, Eighties Pop, Indie, New York Punk, Miami Bass and other styles which I can't quite classify!