John Digweed

More than a few eyebrows were raised when it was announced that John Digweed would be mixing the next set for Fabric's unbearably prolific mix-CD label. Could the now 39 strong monthly series fit the trance titan in between sets from electro-pirate Andrew Weatherall and breaks dominators the Freestylers? Of course they can, as, number one, Digweed is not a "trance" DJ, nor is he a "progressive" DJ or any other sort of DJ. He's a DJ who simply seeks out the best in electronic dance music, without using the crutch of genre to peddle his wares and number two, as thousands of dancers can attest, Digweed's sets at Fabric have been as long, hot and sweaty as any others the club has hosted. So don't hate him just because he has a better than average publicist. Track by track, this mix unfolds the way a good mix should, with elements of each subsequent track slowly blending in until you blink and the next song is in the speakers. Everyone from true trance dealer 16B to new techno posterboy Michael Mayer makes an appearance in either producer or remixer form. But don't expect to recognize any of these cuts. Fabric mixes are about discovering your new favorite track, not rehashing the old one. And if you're really still not convinced after seeing the names Joel Mull and Slam on the CD sleeve, than just go back and pick up Digweed's first Bedrock mix from 1999. This isn't his new style; it's always been Digger's sound. ~ Joshua Glazer, All Music Guide