Oft times in the world of college radio, promoters and labels service the stations with skimpy, trimmed-down versions of retail mix albums. Stations will tend to treat such actions as unkind gyps, but from time to time, these promotional mini mixes prove to be delights in their own right.

00:00: Skeewiff – “Man of Constant Sorrow” (Jalapeno, 2005)
03:37: Run DMC (feat. Aerosmith) – “Walk This Way” (London, 1986)
06:13: Topcat & Mary Clark – “Disco Request (Turncoat Mix)” (Noisy Bunch, 2005)
08:09: DJ Mascaras – “Another One Bites da Girls” (Taco, 2004)
11:47: Run Jeremy’s Window Licker – “X-Rated Lick” (Lick It, 2004)
16:06: Les Visiteurs – “Snoop’s Acid Drop” (Snoop, 2005)
18:50: Tomboy – “Samba!” (Kitsuné, 2005)
22:30: Switch – “A Bit Patchy” (Dubsided, 2005)
25:28: Markus Guentner – “Umgebung” (Kompakt, 2005)

Fabric is notorious for partaking in the abovementioned exploit. As an imprint that only issues mix CDs, Fabric is actually more than just record label; it’s a fashionable London nightclub as well. (Having never been to the club, I can’t personally vouch for the fashionable part, but I’ve heard stories; as for Fabric as a nightclub, you can click here for upcoming dates.) And as it turns out, Rob da Bank is more than your average club DJ. Rob is a label owner and a radio host for two weekly programs on BBC Radio 1. His recent spins include stuff off the DFA, City Centre Offices and Playhouse imprints, further reminding us stateside types of our own outmoded and tiresome mode of government-financed radio.

Rob has curated the latest installment in the series, Fabric 24. (View the tracklisting here.) Comparing the two tracklistings, it seems the promotional set is somewhat different stylistically from its retail parent mix. The mini set focuses on rare, non-commissioned remixes and mash-ups. We’ll assume Rob would have included some of these on Fabric 24 had there not been questions with copyrights. Such mishmashes include “Windowlicker,” “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “Man of Constant Sorrow.” All in all, it’s a very agreeable set, and it’s not one we could enjoy as a full blown retail release, so drink up.

10/21 Brighton (@ Union)
11/11 New York (@ Crobar)
11/26 Bournemouth (@ Maison)
11/30 London (@ The British Independent Film Awards)
12/02 Nottingham (@ Spectrum)
12/03 London (@ Koko)

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00:00: Out Hud – “The Zillionth Watt” (Kranky, 2005)
01:28: Martin Eyerer – “The Drill (DJ Naughty Remix)” (Was Kids, 2004)
07:37: Lützenkirchen – “Daily Disco (Boys Noize Remix)” (Great Stuff, 2005)
11:46: Solid Groove – “This Is Sick” (Front Room, 2005)
15:36: Fischerspooner – “Never Win (Black Strobe Remix)” (Capitol, 2005)
22:50: Riton – “Candy (Re-Rub)” (Grand Central, 2005)
24:46: Meloboy – “Hot Love (DJ Koze Remix)” (Novamute, 2005)

Scottish author/producer/DJ Ewan Pearson has produced and remixed a lengthy list of artists, some of which you can most likely dig on, and a few of which you probably make a habit of averting from whenever given the chance. Having compiled the first entry in the Sci.Fi.Hi.Fi. series on Soma Records, which is widely regarded as a tech-house label, Ewan was apparently granted full creative freedom in making selections for the set. Soma will allegedly be allowing its participating DJs to dabble in genres outside of the label’s routine release curriculum. But conveniently, Ewan’s focus for this first entry is on deep, electro-savvy house music. At times slipping into the clicky minimal stylings of Kompakt or Traum, the set generally remains whimsically and expertly grounded in the tech-house realm.

Just like the best DJs in the business of dance music, Ewan holds a keen ear not only for matching beats but melodies to boot. Such careful meddling was implemented even on this low-key promotional mix for the album. View the tracklisting for Sci.Fi.Hi.Fi., Vol. 1 here.

10/28 Newcastle (@ Foundation)
10/29 Leeds (@ Back to Basics)
11/05 Paris (@ Nouveau Casino)
11/19 Marseille (@ Dock des Suds)
11/26 London (@ Cargo)
12/17 Belfast (@ Tsunami)

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