What makes Fabric 27 by Matthew Dear notable?

Fabric 27 is significant not only for its critical reception within the electronic music community but also for its role in defining the sound of minimal techno during the mid-2000s. The album received praise from various publications, including Resident Advisor, and helped solidify Dear's reputation as an influential DJ and producer in the genre. By the time of Fabric 27's release in January 2006, Matthew Dear had already established himself as a notable figure in the techno scene with prior albums like 2003's Leave Luck to Heaven. This album marked his contribution to the acclaimed Fabric mix series, showcasing his ability to curate a cohesive sonic experience while pushing the boundaries of his own artistic identity.

Who is Fabric 27 for?

Fabric 27 works well if you're into hypnotic beats for dancing, wave-like pacing with peaks and dynamic journey of soundscapes.

How many songs are on Fabric 27?

Fabric 27 has 18 tracks, running approximately 67 minutes.

Released 20 years ago

Fabric 27

Matthew Dear · 2006

67 min · 18 tracks · techno

A pulsating journey through minimal techno, blending hypnotic beats with intricate soundscapes and eclectic remixes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Ketamine Christmas — This track stands out for its playful yet haunting blend of upbeat rhythms and distorted vocal samples that evoke a surreal festive atmosphere.
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How Long Can You Go / Saks / I Was a Robot (Jean F. Cochois's Timewriter remix) — The remix showcases a masterful blend of deep grooves and atmospheric textures, illustrating Dear's knack for reinventing his own work while maintaining dancefloor appeal.
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Battlestar — The standout track features intricate layering and a driving pulse that encapsulates the essence of techno, making it a highlight of the mix.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

65 /100

Treeline

Higher than 88% of albums we've rated

The album excels in cohesive flow and intricate sound design, marking it as a notable entry in minimal techno.

What we noticed

Each track employs minimalistic beats and layered textures, often building gradually over time rather than relying on traditional song structures.
Several tracks utilize unconventional sound samples, adding to the eclectic nature of the soundscapes without overwhelming the rhythmic foundation.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 9/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

hypnotic beats for dancing
wave-like pacing with peaks
dynamic journey of soundscapes
for late-night sessions
experimental textures for deep listening

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward song structures
seek instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: By the time of Fabric 27's release in January 2006, Matthew Dear had already established himself as a notable figure in the techno scene with prior albums like 2003's Leave Luck to Heaven. This album marked his contribution to the acclaimed Fabric mix series, showcasing his ability to curate a cohesive sonic experience while pushing the boundaries of his own artistic identity.
Stylistic neighbors: Four Tet· James Blake· Burial

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Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Off First / Mosquito Morpher 3:49
2 Ketamine Christmas 2:48
3 Wortkabular (Luciano remix) 2:24
4 Body Control 2:22
5 How Long Can You Go / Saks / I Was a Robot (Jean F. Cochois's Timewriter remix) 4:01
6 Keep Us Away 3:10
7 Tacky Wakeup 1:57
8 Come With Me (Jon Gaiser remix) 2:48
9 Deep Throat 2:18
10 Waterbomb 2:06
11 A Rhino in a Glass Shop 4:11
12 Equidistant / Fudgebuster Beat / Thank You 4:09
13 Just a Man / Nothing 5:45
14 Battlestar 6:35
15 Rej 3:00
16 Backclap 3:25
17 Chromosul 5:20
18 Ciboulette (Luciano mix) / Off Third 7:15

What to play next

Listen next

Asa Breed

2007

Go back to

Suckfish

2005

Full Matthew Dear discography Where to start with Matthew Dear Artists like Matthew Dear

techno

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata