Jacques Lu Cont Fabric Live 09 CD

This is a continuous in-the-mix CD compiled and mixed by Jacques Lu Cont.

Jacques Lu Cont, the production wizard behind Les Rythmes Digitales, also spins a mean set of stylish Euro-house when he wants to, the evidence coming on his volume in the mix series overseen by London's most crucial indie club, Fabric. Lu Cont salutes the club's focus on music both clever and hooky (and danceable), drawing tracks from a few usual culprits (Röyksopp, Crazy Penis, Mirwais, Gus Gus) as well as quite a few '80s nuggets that sound perfect in context. From Tom Tom Club's "Wordy Rappinghood" to Devo's "Snowball" to the Steve Miller Band's "Abracadabra" to Pixies' "Gouge Away," Lu Cont throws caution to the wind and, if he errs on the side of camp more often than not ("Sweet Dreams" is a tough one to pull off these days), it certainly doesn't hurt the ear-candy flair of his mix. Two of the best oldies are the Chicago jacking classic "House Nation" (which hasn't lost a whit of its appeal since release) and the closer, Eno's "Here Come the Warm Jets." ~ John Bush

"Fabric 09" is personal and playful, electric and energetic. Including tracks from the roots of rock, the days of disco, the source of house and the edges of electro, Jacques constantly re-loops and re-edits cuts into a bassline-led, vocal happy 70 minute, bump-a-long. Alongside studio wizadry and mixing mastery is the Lu Cont sense of fun and party-spirt, check Strauss meeting the Eurythmics for evidence.

Recording information: Midivalle Studios.