Helena Hauff - fabric presents Helena Hauff

A Closer Listen

The once-common DJ-mixed CD has become rare in the streaming age, but some of the best series are still in action.  Fabric Records has been a champion of this format for years, and shows no signs of stopping.

How to make a decent DJ-mixed CD?  The elements are fairly simple.  First, one has to bring the tunes, which to attract the adventurous listener should be a mix of old and new, preferably with exclusives.  Second, the mix must be spot-on.  Third, the music must possess a character that one can identify: not just a hodgepodge of top tracks.  To her credit, Helena Hauff does all of these things.  The double vinyl version includes the two exclusives and one out-of-print rarity.

Hauff is first and foremost an artist, so it’s important that the set starts with her own “Turn Your Sights Inward,” a modern electro banger with a killer bassline.  Since the set begins at 140 bpm, one already knows that it is going to be filled with club cuts, an invitation to dance and to keep dancing for 77 minutes and 16 seconds, if one can.  (Our suggestion: Gatorade.)  From here she sneaks in the brighter chords of dynArec’s “Sunken Park,” creating a lovely contrast.  The baseline of “Sights” continues throughout, purposely wobbling at the end as the next track emerges.  We should mention that this is a vinyl mix ~ no shortcuts!

At certain points in the mix ~ more frequent as the set unfolds ~ the energy is taken to the next level.  Despite of time’s “Ement” shifts from electro to techno-industrial, featuring Moroder synth, robotic vocals and aggressive drums.  Raven’s breakbeat-heavy “Wakalala” is next, reminiscent of DJ Wildstyle’s classic “Tha Wildstyle.”  The even-more classic Steve Miller laser leads into the next track, and the end run begins.  FJAAK|Tobi Neumann’s “F-Zero” adds a long-missed garage flavor; Magda Rot’s exclusive “Alter Simus” is like an interstellar flight toward dangers unknown.  When MCU’s Apocalypse Mix of “Save the World” drops, one realizes that this mix is The Last Dance, the final chance.  The irony of the mix is that it preserves such a futuristic tone, despite including pieces as old as Autechre’s closing 1999 remix of D-Breeze’s “Crazy For Love.”

So does love survive the apocalypse?  When the bombs fall, will we turn into metallic ostriches, like the image on the cover?  Hauff isn’t saying; she just wants us to use our imagination, and dance like there’s no tomorrow.  (Richard Allen)

Resident Advisor

Helena Hauff remains one of dance music's most beloved enigmas. Her approach has been almost militantly underground. She has no booking agent or social media, o..