Chicago-raised DJ Heather is talented at what she does. Working in a proper record store since the late '80s has given her plenty of time to get down the skills of basic beat matching and the wherewithal to assemble a complete set. I just do not get the subject matter at all, especially considering she started off spinning hip-hop, true funk, and soul. While the essential role of funky house is that it speaks to your feet while occasionally adding ornamentations -- a glitch on the fadeout here, a quick vocal sample there -- the adamant structure of funky house strangles my mind with boredom. I realize these Fabric mixes are recorded live, but 21 seems to start off abnormally slow. The opening Marko Militano cut goes nowhere for about a minute and a half and never seems to actually peak, nor does the mix in general, except for random instances of mild interest that periodically spring up. Yep, there's not much about this type of music I like and, for further proof, here's a list of one-liners I though up while trying to be entertained this mix:
- House is the reality TV of electronic music: very well produced and almost totally devoid of substance.
- They call it house because you want to burn it down and collect the insurance.
- Funky house is to actual funk as the Fresh Prince is to Superfly.
- Funky house is like a harlequin romance: temporarily arousing but ultimately forgettable.
- Funky house is a romantic comedy like Miss Congeniality 2: it may fill some entertainment void now, but in 20 years, it'll make you question civilization.
- Funky house is the equivalent of going to Baskin Robbins and ordering vanilla with rainbow sprinkles.
1. Marko Militano - Good People (Dub)
2. 2 Or More - I Got Your Love
3. D'Julz - Ze Theme
4. Mario Fabriani — Release
5. Mr Hall Lee - Jump To The Funk
6. DJ Mes - Back To The Program
7. 2 Utes - Bumpin The BQE (2 Utes Massive Mix)
8. Olivier Desmet - Just Like Heaven
9. Kaskade - Steppin' Out (Member's Only Mix)
10. Mike Delgado - Byrdman's Revenge
11. Mike Delgado - Antonio's Groove
12. Justin Martin - Snow Day (JT Donaldson Remix)
13. C Pen - Puffin Stuff (JT's Flashback Rework)
14. Magik Johnson Feat. Sandy Mill - Feel Alright (Dub Mix)
15. Maxx Renn - Acid Jack (Original Mix)
16. DJ Rhythm - Brazilian Soul (The Jazzy Joint Mix)
17. Joey Youngman — Memories
18. Overtone - Cat's Eyes 1. Marko Militano - Good People (Dub)
2. 2 Or More - I Got Your Love
3. D'Julz - Ze Theme
4. Mario Fabriani - Release
5. Mr Hall Lee - Jump To The Funk
6. DJ Mes - Back To The Program
7. 2 Utes - Bumpin The BQE (2 Utes Massive Mix)
8. Olivier Desmet - Just Like Heaven
9. Kaskade - Steppin' Out (Member's Only Mix)
10. Mike Delgado - Byrdman's Revenge
11. Mike Delgado - Antonio's Groove
12. Justin Martin - Snow Day (JT Donaldson Remix)
13. C Pen - Puffin Stuff (JT's Flashback Rework)
14. Magik Johnson Feat. Sandy Mill - Feel Alright (Dub Mix)
15. Maxx Renn - Acid Jack (Original Mix)
16. DJ Rhythm - Brazilian Soul (The Jazzy Joint Mix)
17. Joey Youngman - Memories
18. Overtone - Cat's Eyes