Headlining the next Defected In The House event at Ministry of Sound on 28 June, Nic Fanciulli is widely regarded as one of the UK’s finest electronic exports.
Originally inspired by the eclecticism of his first musical hero, Laurent Garnier, Nic Fanciulli has subsequently forged and increasingly impressive career. Cutting his teeth playing alongside the likes of Sasha & Digweed and Carl Cox, these titans of dance music have, over the last 15 years or so, gone from being Fanciulli’s inspiration to becoming his peers.
Ahead of his appearance at Ministry of Sound, we talk you through five of the records with which he made his name.
Skylark presents Buick Project – Chancer / Drop The Beat
Having previously recorded under their Skylark alias, ‘Chancer / Drop The Beat’ was Nic Fanciulli and Andy Chatterley’s first outing as Buick Project, simultaneously launching Saved Records, the label originally conceived simply as an outlet for their own music. In Nic’s own words: “We had so much music; we just wanted somewhere to put it.” The double A-side set the tone for the label and still sounds fresh a decade later.
X-Press 2 - Muzik Xpress (Skylark Remix)
Messing with the classics – amongst which ‘Musik Xpress’ can undoubtedly count itself – is something you do at your peril, but Fanciulli and Chatterley positively nailed this one. This time recording under their Skylark moniker, they turned X-Press 2’s funk-driven original into a snarling beast of a tech-house banger. And that break! Utterly ferocious.
Tiefschwarz feat. Tracey Thorn - Damage (Buick Project Remix)
"When I did the remix of Tiefschwarz and Tracy Thorn, I hated it. And I didn’t play it. I was not sure about the record, and I did three or four versions of it. I sent to Ali and Basti of Teifschwarz, and they were like “We love this version.” At first I did not like it at all, but by the end I loved it. I still play it occasionally.”
Nic Fanciulli - Movin' On (Original Mix)
Arguably the first record in this list that typifies Fanciulli’s current sound, ‘Movin’ On’ was a huge record in 2012 and is one of Rejected’s biggest selling records to date. Packed full of driving, dancefloor energy and subtlety soulful flourishes, ‘Movin’ On’ is pretty much the epitome of a pitch-perfect tech house jam.
Nic Fanciulli – The Social
On of Fanciulli’s latest releases, ‘The Social’ was released as part of Saved 100, a new record included in a compilation that displays both the depth and dexterity of Saved Record’s impressive back catalogue. Over the years the label has championed music from the likes of Robert Dietz, Philip Bader, Stacey Pullen, Gary Beck and Alex Tepper, but it is the singularity of vision of Nic and brother Mark that has driven the label to be the force it is today. Long may the continue.
Nic Fanciulli plays Ministry of Sound for Defected In The House 28 June– click for full info and tickets
Defected presents Nic Fanciulli In The House is out 06 July (2CD and digital) on Defected Records - order on iTunes and Amazon
