Customer Reviews

Fabric 4

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had only breifly heard of Mr. Humphries until I saw this cd in my local store. When I first put it in I was blown across the room! The funky house grabs you by the ears and forces your feet to move. This is one of the best compiled/ programed mixes I have ever bought. The mixing is top-notch as well.

In a mad desire to rid the world of categories, labels, and genres, some people forget that names are there to help us to orient ourselves, not to bind or imprison us. This is HOUSE music -- in the original sense of the word and then some. By 'original sense,' I mean to remind the reader that House Music evolved out of disco, retaining much of its soulful character. Mr. Humphries has put together here a very laid-back and stylish comp of HOUSE music, oozing utter confidence and competence, technically and aesthetically. Tony doesn't get uptight trying to make sure that one song elides into the next without a seam. Between some tracks there is a decidedly discordant weaving of tunes -- with one fading and the next coming in -- that is all the more artful for the calculated negligence.
Did I say HOUSE? Yes, I did, and that means a lot of fine female vocals sung by some very groovelicious Afroqueen Divas gushing with that soulful feeling you are not going to get, ever, from any House claiming to be "progressive." If you're in the mood for HOUSE, and not something like it, here it is. Take it away Tony.

Tony Humphries produces an impressive laidback set with a selection of tracks that can probably satisfy most electronica fans. No doubt a "house" album, Fabric 04 teeters on the edge of being almost loungey in its tempo. Probably not the greatest of sets to dance away your pent up energy on a friday or saturday night, but definitely worth a spin in the CD player for more sedated moods.

Humphries mixing skills are worth the listen alone, but it's this transition in mood that occurs halfway through the tracks at "Late Night" by Floppy Sounds and "I Cant (You Know)" by Dun Taylor that truely make this a better than average house set. Disappointingly, Humphries leaves this very cool sound for more lovie-dovie lyrical house with the next three tracks. A groove killer for me.

Overall, a good set, good tracks, great mixing, but too many love theme vocal house tracks for my tastes. 4/5 stars.

Treat yourself to super jamming club music with motivational and positive lyrics. If you missed the days of Club Zanzibar in Newark, NJ, relive them here...

I've been a big Tony Humphries fan since his house days on 98.7 kiss FM New York city and his days mixing at Club Zanzibar, Roseland Ballroom On Halloween night. This is as good as it gets, From the first song to the very last it hits you. Don't turn off the bass on this one it'll blow the tweeters right off. TRUST ME from one who knows house this is it. Once you hear it believe me you'll be hooked.