As 2010 draws to a close, fabric is predictably still electronic music's most vital organ in terms of programming, innovation and integrity. There is quite honestly always something new and important to discuss about fabric at any time of the year, but at this particular time when the weather turns unforgivably bleak and we enter the festive period, it's also the time of reflection. We plan on piecing together some kind of end of year review soon, where notable nightclubs such as fabric will be acknowledged in more depth, but after what was most likely my final chapter for 2010 at EC1 on Saturday, where the legendary John Digweed blew my mind for over 5 hours, I can't help shed some premature appreciation for what has been a simply incredible year.

Starting with Saturday, an appearance by John Digweed at fabric is always going to pull a crowd. His name on a flyer carries a similar degree of celebration and fanfare as you would expect from Ricardo Villalobos, Sven Väth and the other serious heavyweights of underground electronic music. Despite the ominous weather forecasts, advance tickets sold out weeks ahead, always an indication of a particularly special night. But the rest of the names were not just mere decorations- Paul Kalkbrenner live in Room 2 would be a highlight for any night, as would Cari Lekebusch, who from experience I can guarantee is one of techno's genuinely gifted players. Unfortunately, both couldn't make it, a setback reasonably foreseeable for anyone considering the debilitating weather and the subsequent closure of Heathrow airport. Luckily this didn't effect John Digweed, who is conveniently domestic. Israel's Guy J, one of Digweed's frequent associates somehow managed to dodge the travel restrictions, but as usual our late arrival meant we missed his slot in Room One, where Diggers was already in command of that ruthless soundsystem. The night was as educational as it was utterly thrilling for me in that it opened my eyes to just how phenomenal a DJ John Digweed is. His almost mandatory top 10 residency in Resident Advisor's annual top 100 DJ poll now makes complete sense, not that I doubted his credentials before. What he did so well in Room One on Saturday was confidently ebb in and out of various styles of house and techno without the slightest whiff of confusion, indecision or uncertainly. Every record he selected worked perfectly. Despite his association with the progressive house sound he is so respected for shaping, his 6 hour session (at least) explored both dangerously maximal and microscopically minimal techno, as well as the occasional squelch of acid house and other abrasive, synth-heavy mutations. All of this was mixed in such a flawless, exciting, unpredictable way that it soon became clear to me why this 40-something bloke from Hastings is held in such high-esteem. The Room One soundsystem is so unique and impressive, unlike any other I've ever heard (or seen) before, that it so often isn't fully taken advantage of by those given the power to use it. The most acclaimed audiophile of all, Ricardo Villalobos is often cited to be the first one to really do this, but John Digweed showed remarkable appreciation of just how awesome this facility is. Many on the dancefloor cowered in overwhelm at some of the higher frequencies emitted from above, and the ground-quaking vibrations from below. By the time we made our way out at around 8:30am, I personally felt privileged to have experienced one of English dance music's most illustrious talents in the worlds best club. A gloriously fitting tribute to fabric, and a more than satisfying way to conclude my own 2010 love affair with the club.

December also brought us the 55th fabric mix, courtesy this time of the mysterious Shackleton, who has been causing quite a stir of late. Ever since his debut performance live in fabric's Room One all the way back in July of this year (a frighteningly long time ago considering it feels like it was only last week that I gave the heads-up on this blog when his appearance was announced), fabric, and more probably more specifically Craig Richards, the club's music programmer, have been utterly infatuated with the future-dubstepper. Not only did they book him again for Room 2 fairly soon after, but the real mark of fabric's respect is of course the offer of mixing fabric 55, a challenge Shackleton embraced gratefully, and delivered exceptionally.

Despite his categorization as a producer of dubstep in the strictest conceptual meaning of the word, Shackleton's sound is undoubtedly suited far more to a fabric Saturday night, rather than a Friday where dubstep is traditionally exhibited. His resounding appearances at Berlin's Berghain further demonstrated his adeptness in pleasing a crowd that wouldn't typically be receptive to dubstep, so recognition from fabric's Saturday night team was only a question of when. The breed of dubstep Shackleton is making is so interwoven with minimal techno influences that it could only ever be fascinating at the very least. His close relationship with Ricardo Villalobos is no secret; various remixes of the master's minimal grooves such as his Minimoonstar provide ample clues to Shackleton's stylistic tendencies, and the comparisons with Villalobos himself don't stop there. Fabric 55 is a mix consisting entirely of Shackleton's own material, in exactly the same way as Villalobos' inspirational fabric 34 mix. A dangerous and controversial concept yes, but like Villalobos, Shackleton has pulled it off with aplomb.

From start to finish the mix illustrates perfectly what Shackleton is about. Dark, claustrophobic and murky, it is every bit as atmospheric and compelling as his live performances deep underground in the club. Every drum pattern, every snap of a snare drum, every ghostly vocal is engulfed with enough floor-shaking sub-bass to become seismic, while the relentless clatter of bongos gives the work that seasoning of Villalobos making it all the more interesting. It's difficult to find fault in such a strikingly different mix, in both concept and execution. Every track is layered with so many strange, hypnotic, tribal sonics that at times it becomes disturbing, much in the same way as the mysterious but ingenious Burial's music. Evoking this kind of emotion in electronic music is not easy, but Shackleton's approach to music looks as if he produces to disturb as well as dance, something vividly evident live and in this outstanding mix.

Shackleton - Come Up


fabric 55: Shackleton is available now for £10 now on fabric's website

NEWS: Sources suggest that the next installment in the fabric series, fabric 56 will be mixed by American DJ and producer Derrick Carter.

Fabric's line-up for New Years Eve was announced in full some time ago, but I had to give it some acknowledgment here nonetheless, even though we won't be attending. Anyone expecting an all-star line up will be disappointed, for there's no Richie Hawtin, Luciano, Seth Troxler and like, but look a little deeper and it's a classically intelligent assembly or sounds and personalities by fabric. Forums and and networks etc. seem to tell me that many are indeed disappointed, but anyone doubting fabric's knowledge of what will make this NYE at Ec1 sizzle, or their ability to attract the biggest names are seriously mistaken. For starters, Steve Bug remains one of electronic music's most influential and revered DJs, as is Jay Haze and Cassy, while M-Nus's Heartthrob is regarded by many as one of minimal techno's brightest producers. Add to this Matt Tolfrey, Jozif, Paco Osuna and of course, the magnificent Craig Richards who will always make any night at fabric special and you've got the recipe for quite a good party. Fabric's music programming is always at least one step-ahead of every other club, that is simply a fact that I took time to discover, but since I have, I have never doubted it and never been disappointed.

fabric NYE: 9pm-9am, Tickets: £35/£20 (Students & FabricFirst Members)

To round up this rather extensive Fabric Watch installment, I thought I would give a brief summary of what's happening in January, where the full line-ups have now all been confirmed. As ever, it's predictably exciting, with the first Saturday featuring the return of French maestro Ivan Smagghe. The following week on the 15th, Sascha Dive is the pick of the bunch while Friday 21st welcomes back the Filthy Dukes and their eclectic mash-up night, Kill Em All, which is always fantastic. Just like last year, Erol Alkan is back in Room One for what promises again to be a packed out night. Paul Chambers joins him live, while in Room Two German electro/techno duo Hey Today! will no doubt have the place rocking with their searing beats. BNR's Shadow Dancer will also perform live. The following night, Lee Burridge is back, teaming up with Craig Richards for another epic Tyrant session. Concluding January on the 29th is a mouthwatering line-up which includes Tiefschwarz, Slam, MMM live and Maya Jane Coles in Room 3. Full listings and line-ups are up now on fabric's website.