>speaking of which, are there any readily available CD compilations that
>would serve as good primer for the classic/detroit techno sound? i've been
>meaning to check into IDM's roots.
Wanted to add to Lance's great start-up post with
a little more description on some of the releases and
some recommendations of out of print and available stuff.
First of all, it's somewhat misleading to call these records
IDM's roots, they are the original techno records and IDM
is somewhat of a splintered musical movement that is
only partially related (if you consider IDM to be Skam,
modern Warp, MaS, Schematic, etc. which I do).
I'm going to go out of Detroit a bit and probably have
some albums so this might end up being multiple posts.
Techno One and Two 2CD (Ten/Virgin)
Compiles the first two Techno comps on Virgin that are
basically responsible for the explosion of Detroit techno.
The first one is all Derrick, Kevin and Juan, and features
"Big Fun", the track that really publicized techno, whether
or not it is as good as "Strings of Life" or "No UFO's". A lot
of the tracks have reappeared, making it more of an incredible
megamix of Detroit than a source for unreleased gems. The
second comp is a mix of UK (MK, Rhythmatic) and Detroit
(debut of Carl Craig and Jay Denham!) which reinforces the
gap between Detroit and the rest of Earth. I think the 2CD
is out of print as well, but should have a very large pressing.
Retro Techno: Detroit Definitive Emotions Electric CD (Network)
Another one featuring mostly Derrick, Kevin and Juan, this
one has tracks that I think are all re-released, making it
just another awesome mix of Detroit gems. Probably stronger
in terms of track quality and sequence than the above, although
it has less historical importance. Very out of print.
Bio Rhythm CD (Network)
Bio Rhythm 2 CD (Network)
Much like the Techno 2 comp these tend to feature a lot of
the UK "Summer of Love" producers, who were really the first
to realize the importance of what was happening in Detroit,
but also features a few Detroit tracks. MK, Rhythmatic,
Fade II Black, Heychild, and more appear on these. The CD's
and LP's are both horrendously out of print. These are good,
although perhaps not as good as the RetroTechno comp.
Also Network had a bunch of 12"s in this vein in their first
ten or fifteen releases, usually worth checking if they show
up at $10ish prices a piece.
Relics: A Transmat Compilation CD (Buzz)
The first real Derrick May "full-length" (although it features
tracks by others like Psyche and the Suburban Knight) and
many would argue it is better than "Innovator" (dunno about
that). Tons of classics from the Derrick May vaults, this is
probably one of the top ten Detroit discs of all time, although
Innovator and other such reissues have included many tracks.
Tremendously out of print.
Equinox, the Beginning, Nite and Da: A Retroactive Compilation CD (Buzz)
A somewhat uninspired Retroactive compilation from Buzz,
this is basically just the "Equinox, Chapter One" 12" with a couple
other tracks (Never on Sunday and John Beltran, both of which
I think have appeared elsewhere many times), and is only seven
tracks and about half an hour in length. Still shows some fine output
from a very, very obscure/out of print label where Carl Craig got his
start. This is a chance to see Carl at his most May-influenced. Also
has great ones from Urban Tribe, Octave One (as Never on Sunday)
and the truly gifted John Beltran (working with Mark Wilson).
Both the CD and the LP are very out of print.
Embrace the Future: A 430 West Compilation CD (Buzz)
Buzz deserves credit for a string of great CD's and all should
hopefully return to print. This features some of the output of
Octave One, Denham, and more from the second wave of
Detroit, and holds it own next to the two above comps. Good stuff!
Virtual Sex CD (Buzz)
Probably tied with Planet E's "Intergalactic Beats" as the best
worldwide techno compilation of the early years, this one has
Stefan Robbers, B12, and many Detroit luminaries and is absolutely
essential in every sense of the word. One of those compilations that
has nothing but masterworks from the best of the best. As you
expected, super-rare, but worth the hunt (for sure!)
Panic In Detroit CD (Buzz)
The other great Buzz compilation that didn't spotlight one particular
label, this one has Beltran, Larkin, Fowlkes and Atkins working
on top of their game. Possibly the rarest of the Buzz comps, I still
haven't found a CD version of this, but if you see an LP or CD
around it is likely worth the price.
Intergalactic Beats CD (Planet E)
Thankfully still very available, this one is maybe the best worldwide
techno comp ever (Virtual Sex gives it a run for the money, but
probably ultimately isn't as strong). Eevolute's best track "A Touch
of Heaven", 69's best tracks, awesome ones from Black Dog
and Future/Past, and classics from Piece and Dark Comedy.
Exhibits CD (Art of Dance)
Compiling a lot of the best output from Kenny Larkin, who is one
of Detroit's best ambassadors and most talented second wave
producers. This one is very much in the tradition of the Buzz
label compilations, except that Art of Dance didn't really release
that many 12"s so this is a well-warranted CD. Kenny Larkin,
we miss you. Is he really doing stand-up comedy? This is the
Detroit sound in a more modern, popularly recognizable vein.
True People: The Detroit Techno Album 2CD (React)
Compiled by Eddie Fowlkes, one of "the" Detroit producers, this
is a good one, but doesn't quite live up to the lofty title. Still
remarkably good, has tracks from most of the legends, but
why are Little Joe, Tony Brown, Kech & B. Bonds and Tom
Barnett included over UR, John Beltran, Urban Tribe or Carl Craig?
Still has some great stuff including some fat electro from Drexciya
(an unreleased track with more melody than usual) and Keith Tucker.
Red Planet CD (Red Planet)
For me Red Planet is the best Detroit label (battling with Underground
Resistance, but with 50 releases UR isn't quite as solid as a label
with only nine that are all total gems, although Red Planet I think is
a subdivision of UR), as far as we know Mad Mike doing deep, melodic
beautiful stuff over the more butt-kicking, floor-oriented UR material.
It's almost beyond words how good this stuff is, even Black Dog,
Rhythim Is Rhythim and Psyche don't have as much appeal to me as
the absolute best Red Planet stuff (see "Lost Transmission From
Planet Earth": this is the techno track I start all new techno people
off with when they're going through my record collection). I do
think all nine Red Planet 12"s are totally warranted and I think
only John Beltran rivals Red Planet in terms of sheer melodic appreciability.
Alright, end Part 1 to make this digestable....Part 2 coming up next.
Matt
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