Akufen

Every so often, techno throws us a truly classic album, made by an artist with bags of personality and character. Akufen's My Way (Force Inc., 2002) was one; a heart-stealing blend of gorgeous, glitchy soundscapes, created in self-imposed isolation by - of all people - a former butcher. As Akufen (Marc Leclair) prepares to record his follow-up, Fabric presents his first ever DJ mix CD, showcasing some of the sharpest new record labels and producers. 'Fabric 17' was meticulously planned, and recorded in one take, using two turntables and a mixer. Akufen records for Perlon, and Musique Risquee, and has remixed Richie Hawtin, Massive Attack, Cabaret Voltaire, and Yello.

'Fabric 17' is a minimal house tour-de-force, bursting with energy, excitement, and invention. The 21 tracks perfectly describe our new 4/4 ethic - keep it clever, catchy, and brilliantly detailed - and are beautifully mixed in an extremely individual style. Akufen's love of Henri Mancini, and all things quirky, bleeds from the grooves; check The Rip Off Artist's hymn to poverty meeting Senor Coconut, or the drug-addictive Crackhaus for evidence.