Detroit on CD
10 Essential Techno Albums
(Turntable Not Required)
Detroit is the birthplace of techno, but most of its key recordings were DJ-friendly 12-inches on small, independent labels. These tracks are still difficult to find on CD. There are some nice compilations from Peacefrog, R&S, Submerge, and Tresor, but they tend to fall out of print. Here are ten historic albums that should still be available in the U.S. or U.K. Get them while you can!
Juan Atkins: 20 Years Metroplex
Tresor, 2005
Last year Tresor released this excellent compilation of Juan Atkins classics. From Cybotron to Model 500, this 2-CD set is the perfect way to discover Detroit techno. Kevin Saunderson fans should look for Faces & Phases. Now we just need a proper (unmixed) Derrick May compilation.
69: The Sound of Music
R&S, 1995
There are several Carl Craig albums I could pick from. Songs About Food and Revolutionary Art also comes to mind. But this is one of those rare albums (compiled from a series of 12-inches) where every single track is amazing.
The Martian: LBH-6251876
Red Planet/Submerge, 1999
The Martian is a mysterious Underground Resistance member. Techno doesn’t get much more lush than this. With jazzy influences, thick bass, and bizarre sci-fi Native American artwork, this project is original and highly influential.
Octave One: The Collective
430 West, 1998
These guys are one of my favorite groups. They’re seriously underrated. The tracks here are amazing, ranging from vocal classics like “I Believe” to minimal ones like “Eniac” and “Empower.”
Jeff Mills: Waveform Transmission Vol. 1
Tresor, 1992
There are three volumes of these early, gritty tracks from Mills’ own Axis Records. Not all of them hold up, but “Changes of Life” on this volume is particularly catchy. Also in print (at least in Europe) are the compilations Lifelike (Music Man, Belgium) and The Art of Connecting (Nextera, Czech Republic). There’s not enough I can say about Mills. His hard, uncompromising minimalism is both dancefloor-friendly and conceptual.
Kenny Larkin: Azimuth
Warp/Wax Trax!, 1994
An all-time classic, and a rare example of Detroit techno on Warp Records. I still love blasting “Q” late at night. It’s also worth searching for any of Larkin’s releases as Dark Comedy for a darker, harder sound.
Moodymann: Black Mahogani
Peacefrog, 2004
Kenneth Dixon Jr. is one of several prolific Detroit producers exploring the overlap between techno and house. His music is particularly soulful, with creative samples, improvisation, and live instruments. This album has the biggest number of hits, including “Runaway,” “Shades of Jae,” and the title track. “Mahogani 9000” is amazing as well.
Oasis (Omar-S/Shadow Ray): Album I
FXHE, 2006
Alex “Omar” Smith is one of the most creative producers around. His albums are plastered with bravado, but his tracks live up to the hype, ranging from hypnotic minimalism to soulful sampling and (recently) instrumental hip-hop. These releases are easiest to obtain direct from Omar’s FXHE.
The Rotating Assembly: Natural Aspirations
Sound Signature, 2004
This is one of many excellent Theo Parrish projects. 3 Chairs is also worth checking out. The Rotating Assembly specializes in live instruments and deep, beautiful sounds. House doesn’t get any better than this.
Urban Tribe: Authorized Clinical Trials
Rephlex, 2006
This is the most recent release on the list, and I think it’s a good indication of where Detroit techno is headed. Sherard Ingram has been producing techno for over fifteen years. On this album, he mixes hard electro with IDM-ish compositions. The Detroit sound has always involved cross-pollination between America and Europe, from Euro disco/synthpop to Detroit techno to British IDM and back again. With Rephlex, of all labels, releasing Detroit music, we’ve come full circle.
