Do you really need another branded mix-CD? They are usually just glorified compilations of Dance hits. However, ‘Fabric 45′ is a showcase for Omar S’ criminally overlooked work and worth a listen.

The ‘Fabric’ brand associated with the East London nightclub of the same name picks some of the more interesting DJs to headline their mix compilations. This is the 45th volume in the Fabric series, hence the title, and it is good to see that they haven’t run out of ideas.

Omar S from Detroit has a solid reputation for producing uncompromising minimal House and Techno. In fact, Omar S is as underground as it gets. This Fabric mix CD is pretty much the first time ever that his material gets a commercial release. Typically, a mix/compilation brand picks a DJ as a selling factor. The 1,000 or so Detroit fans around the globe who might recognise Omar can’t make much of a market for this CD, so it has to be the cool factor attached to his name. And, boy, this guy lives up to his reputation and delivers the goods.

Breaking completely with the hit compilation character of most DJ mix CDs, ‘Fabric 45′ is made up entirely of Omar S tracks from the past few years. It makes a great showcase album for vinyl 12″ singles that were pressed up in 300, maybe 500 copies for the world and are consequently rare as hen’s teeth. As mix CDs go, ‘Fabric 45’ is pretty close to an unpolished DJ set. Do not expect any mix wizardry but if you like deep Detroit House you are in for a treat.

It takes Omar a good 15 minutes to warm up, but when he launches into ‘U’ with its insistent vocal sample of ‘It’s On U Watcha Wanna Do’ the party is starting for real. The nagging piano loop of Oasis’ ‘13-1/2’ carries you along into the cavernous ‘1 Out Of 853 Beats’ before the mix peaks with ‘Psychotic Photosynthesis’ in its full 7:42 glory.

Where do you go from here? Omar changes tack and introduces some Gospel House with the first full vocal track on the album, ‘The Maker’. This soulful tune has a touch of the Basement Boys and the sound of New Jersey about it - Right here and right now the choice is perfect.

After the double whammy of ‘Psychotic Photosynthesis’ and ‘The Maker’, Omar S strips the sound down to a spaced-out break, giving you a chance to catch your breath before the massive kick drum of ‘Blade Runner’ starts the dance again.

From ‘Blade Runner’, Omar slips into ‘Day’ with its Old Skool rave overtones. He ends the mix with the second vocal track, the mellow 80’s flavoured ‘Set Me Out’ before hitting the power switch and letting the tune grind to a halt.

All tracks played by Omar on this album are his own productions, released over the years under his Omar S moniker or his Oasis alias on his own FXHE label. A typical FXHE gimmick is pressing 12″s so the record plays from the label outwards to the rim, but that’ll only keep serious vinyl freaks amused and ‘Fabric 45’ is a great opportunity for ‘normal’ music lovers to get hold of the deep underground sound of Omar S on CD.

We say:

US Readers - Buy The Omar S ‘Fabric 45′ Mix CD Here!

UK And Ireland Readers - Buy The Omar S ‘Fabric 45′ Mix CD Here!