London born and bred, Alkan has spent the last two decades building up a reputation as a sonic innovator. From genre-spanning sets at his own legendary Trash club night to regular appearances at Bugged Out, via production credits including Late Of The Pier and Kindness and remixes for the likes of Metronomy, Tame Impala and Justice, his inimitable brand of mutant techno electro and disco has soundtracked a generation.
In 2007 Alkan’s burgeoning label Phantasy was born, the springboard for critically acclaimed releases from artists including Daniel Avery, Connan Mockasin and newest signing Ghost Culture, and he last year made his own solo debut with the release of the Illumination EP, drawing praise from the Guardian, Pitchfork, NME and more. With the solo release under his belt the time was right for Erol to step up to the FABRICLIVE mantle.
"I certainly didn’t want this mix to be a flyer or advert for me as a DJ. I feel this mix is quite specific to fabric as they are all records I would want to play in that environment. Even though I have had the benefit of playing all 3 rooms on a regular basis, this mix feels like it was designed for Room 1. It's influenced by the sight lines from the perspective behind the decks, the lights, the fact that sometimes all you can see are hands reaching into the booth, as well as those behind you dancing alone in the corners." - Erol Alkan
The 20-track mix opens with Jamie Paton’s driving, rhythmic remix of Maurice & Charles before taking in the off-kilter Latin electrofunk of Carisma, Zongamin’s moody Manfredas rework and Alkan’s own percussive, mechanical remix of The Emperor Machine before delving into the Phantasy back catalogue. Recent offerings from Tom Rowlands (Chemical Brothers) and Ghost Culture appear alongside an exclusive airing of Erol’s propulsive, shimmering ‘Sub Conscious’ and a brand new offering from Cowboy Rhythmbox aka Nathan Gregory Wilkins and Richard X.
Boot & Tax’s earworm ‘Acido’ refrain segues into Alkan’s own ‘Bang’ and an as yet unreleased Chicago Mix from Michigan’s Todd Osborn while the acid squelch of Claro Intelecto’s ‘Tone’ and supersonic synth euphoria of Daywalker + CF herald a dream sing-out-loud bootleg of Alkan’s ‘A Hold On Love’ and Saint Etienne’s classic Neil Young cover ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart’. It’s an enthralling mix from a true master of his craft.
TRACK LISTING
01. Maurice & Charles - Sofa Love (Jamie Paton Remix)
02. Cowboy Rhythmbox - We Got The Box
03. Carisma - Talento Matemático
04. The Emperor Machine - RMI Is All I Want (Erol Alkan's Extended Rework)
05. Manfredas - Square Lights (Zongamin Remix Take 2)
06. Phreak - Acid On
07. Erol Alkan - Sub Conscious
08. Andre Bratten - Trommer Og Bass
09. Tom Rowlands - Through Me
10. Fumes - Jack2000
11. Victor Shan - How You Want It (Shan's Warehouse Version)
12. Boot & Tax - Acido
13. Erol Alkan - Bang
14. Ben Jenkins - K3M
15. Todd Osborn - Put Your Weight On It (Chicago Mix)
16. Voiski - From White To Red
17. Claro Intelecto - Tone
18. Ghost Culture - Red Smoke
19. Daywalker + CF - Supersonic Transport
20. Erol Alkan - A Hold On Love / Saint Etienne - Only Love Can Break Your Heart
