The Strange And Frightening World Of...Fabric's First 100.

For those of you who haven't been keeping up (or if math isn't your strong suit), we hit the big three digits last month - 100 releases down. Pretty epic. We're not usually the type to blow our own trumpets, but today The Quietus posted a feature that's a captivating walk through memory lane...and that was following an equally lovely piece that DMC posted last week. Be sure to check out both articles if you have a moment, as they're clearly crafted with love.

And while we're lost in remembrance, we thought we'd take it one step further...we asked a few of our label artists  to choose their favourites out of the 100, after the jump.

The Quietus - 'The Strange And Frightening World Of... Fabric's First 100'

DMC  - 'The Club Kings - Fabric 100'



IVAN SMAGGHE
fabric 13 - Michael Mayer
“I must admit I'm not a very heavy listener of mixed CDs...Especially "club mixes". Maybe they remind me of work, maybe I need to "be in a club" to hear "club music", who knows... The ones that I notice are, first, the ones that make me discover individual tracks. This one did. But it stuck to me "as a mix", a rare thing. I still listen to it once in a while actually; it reminds me of great times for music. I'm pretty sure that it did so because it was, and still is, totally personal and sincere. And these qualities, as we all know, are the first needed by a good record.”

ALI B
FABRICLIVE 07: John Peel
“My favourite Fabric album would have to be John Peel’s. Aside from it being a fantastically eclectic selection of music, I know exactly how much heart and soul he put into it as he came down to my studio to record it. I’d still say that the way that album starts is one of the best openers to a mix album ever.”

MATTHEW DEAR
fabric 01: Craig Richards
"Craig's first mix. The beginning of a beautiful future."

EWAN PEARSON
fabric 13: Michael Mayer
“My favourite fabric CD is no. 13 from Michael Mayer, hands down. It's an unbeatable lesson in sequencing, melody, emotion and groove that I've listened to many many times and never seem to tire of. We need more DJs like him, and more mixes like this.”

TIM LAWTON (FILTHY DUKES)
FABRICLIVE 01: James Lavelle
“James Lavelle's is amazing, such a monumental mix that goes from genre to genre with ease. So many classic tracks on there. We were recently doing a sound check at a venue and the sound guys were playing the mix. It sounded amazing and each time I knew what the next track coming in would be, it really took me back.”

fabric 01: Craig Richards
“Craig Richards’ mix just sums up what fabric was to me when I first started going to the club. We went down once a month after our mates’ night and caught the last 4 hours. Fabric was always about Sunday mornings and no one does Sunday morning better than Craig Richards.”

OLLY DIXON (FILTHY DUKES)
FABRICLIVE 09: Jacques Lu Cont &
FABRICLIVE 07: John Peel
“It's hard for me to choose a favourite, and I like these probably both for the same reason. They were just not like any DJ mixes I had ever heard before. They were fun and risk taking, made by two people for whom risk taking was, and is, pretty much what makes them who they are. I was a massive Les Rhythmes Digitales fan, and used to go and see Stuart DJ at fabric whenever I could. This mix still sounds amazing now, it's pretty camp and I know some people feel tracks like ‘Abracadabra’ by Steve Miller band have no place on a dance mix, but it’s this sort of daring combination of tunes that makes it stand out. Any mix that has tracks by Devo, Eurythmics, Pixies and Brian Eno can only be a very good thing. When fabric booked John Peel to DJ I just fell in love with the club, it just showed how irreverent and daring they were, much like the great man himself. The CD is incredible, a totally unique insight into the mind of a true legend.”

BRUN (SWAYZAK)
FABRICLIVE 07: John Peel
“I say it’s got to be John Peel! As a hero to the youth of Britain in the 1980s and 1990's for his radio show, he introduced me to: punk, ska, ivor cutler, ambient, new wave, death metal, and even some great techno . The Asa Chang and Junray intro is one of my all time favourite tracks and John, the inspiration to a whole generation of British music makers…sadly missed.”

JAY HAZE
fabric 01: Craig Richards
My favorite fabric mix CD is by far the number one, Craig Richards. He is an amazing DJ, with great musical insight and a vibe to match. This CD was on repeat for 2 years, so for sure it has to be my favorite! After seeing Craig play live, I can hardly think of him playing for 5 hours or less :) So it’s amazing he was able to cram this fabulous mix.