Marcus Intalex - FABRICLIVE 35

Marcus Intalex, king of the more soulful and innovative side of drum'n'bass, sits in a slightly uncomfortable position on his throne. On one hand, he's involved in a vibrant, well-supported scene that allows him to play music around the world; on the other, he doesn't quite fit in with the bulk of the scene. But why should he have to compromise himself to the popular tunes that now reign on the d'n'b charts...Sure, the kids want to hear them, but he's not a kid anymore. He's a veteran that's survived a lot, in fact - the initial revolution of d'n'b (and dance music, for that matter); the building of a close-net scene in Manchester with his mates L Double and ST Files; the development of an incredible and staggering back catalogue of hugely celebrated tunes, mixes and d'n'b classics; the creation of Soul:r, the label that receives praise and appreciation across all scenes; the growth of his distinguished DJing schedule...the list is immeasurable. So perhaps his general stance in the media, often posed as miserable tyrant (despite his lovely and jocose demeanour), is understandable, as his accrued wisdom has left him somewhat unhappy with the current state of his livelihood and beloved genre.

"Sometimes it's really difficult because - as the popular sound is moving away from what we do and our sound - I do go to DJ at some places and the crowd really doesn't like it. It's just hard sometimes. You kinda gotta take it the way it is. I don't change my sound because the crowd's not into it, I can't. I literally can't, because I don't even have the popular tunes that most people like - I refuse to take them with me, that's not what I'm about. Some gigs are more difficult now then they used to be, but then, on the other hand, these days when we go to some places, there's a specific crowd that supports what we do. With our music, we need to have a no-compromise attitude: this is us, take it or leave it - I'm very sorry if you don't like it, but this is what it is. And that's what we get booked for. We don't get booked because Andy C's busy, know what I mean? It doesn't work like that! I just do my thing; I've always stuck to my guns." Marcus Intalex

On FABRICLIVE 35 - a seductive mix laden with deep, hypnotic grooves and sweeping melodies - Marcus Intalex will open the closed eyes of those so quick to inauspiciously dismiss drum'n'bass as unmusical. Any listener will fall helpless to the groove-led mix - even the stiffest of hips will sway and the most sceptical heads will nod along as the bass rolls over impeccably smooth and artistic mixes (indeed, mixing must come natural to him). FABRICLIVE 35 is a picturesque showcase of his label's stunning productions, including a few of Intalex's own, and embraces some of his most respected collaborators and like-minded peers. With alluring, emotive grooves from Calibre, the rhythmic Breakage touch, Lynx's ravishing low-slung sub bass, and the fresh soul of Alix Perez, Intalex proves that drum'n'bass is a unique, multifarious, future-thinking scene with as much strength and deliverance as any. Continually shifting and changing shape with a sharp sense of style, the 19 tracks explore the vast world of d'n'b, from the mellifluous and smooth to the techy and precise to the warm and soulful.

Tracklist
01. Calibre ft. Lariman –Over Reaction [Signature]
02. Calibre – All The Days [Signature]
03. Lynx ft. Kemo – Global Enemies [Soul:r]
04. Commix – Faceless (Marcus Intalex Remix) [Shogun]
05 Jonny L – Come Here [Mr L Records]
06. Amaning vs. Dubwise – Smash V.I.P. [Soul:r]
07. Soulmatic – Self Belief [Good Looking]
08. Calibre ft. DRS – Hustlin’ [Signature]
09. Calibre – Mr Right On [Signature]
10. Deadly Habit – Synesthesia (Theory Remix) [Tentative]
11. Breakage – Clarendon [Digital Soundboy]
12. Alix Perez and Lynx – Allegiance [Soul:r]
13. Zero Tolerance ft. Steo – Refusal [Soul:r]
14. Mistical – Time To Fly [Soul:r]
15. Duo Infernale – Feeling Blue [Soul:r]
16. Instra:mental – Pacific Heights [Darkestral]
17. Bango Collective ft. Kemo and Dennis Jones – Apocalypse [Soul:r]
18. Mistical – Groove Me [Soul:r]
19. Alix Perez and Sabre – Solitary Native [SGN:LTD]