Detroit Radio
Presented by Third Ear

Detroit electronic music is incredibly varied. That's what this channel is all about; presenting ALL Detroit electronic-based music. Get up, get down, DIG!

To start this new channel on Samurai fm, Third Ear presents Derrick May's complete set from the 2000 Detroit Electronic Music Festival. This is a historic mix, which closed the first DEMF. Everyone knew that the Festival was a success by the end of the first day. By the end of the 3rd day, it was Derrick's turn to stand up and make his statement to the Motor City, in the heart of the city. Over the previous three days, grown men were reduced to tears of emotion, as they witnessed their music being enjoyed in the spotlight at the heart of Motown. Detroit producers conditioned by years of keeping it underground to keep it alive, were suddenly able to rock the city from the heart of the city, Hart Plaza. Many were critical of the decision to 'go overground' and subject themselves to the possibility of another humiliation at the hands of a city and a nation that had shunned and ignored them always. A scene riven by politics and rivalries was also forced to play out those politics and rivalries in the open. But even so, Techno was suddenly a word that Detroiters associated with their city, which was a major development in the scene.

Derrick's mix is everything you'd expect from a Derrick May mix. Enjoy the verve and energy, the soul and the spirit, the touch and technique of the man who more than any other dj offers an overview of the Detroit sound. People criticize Derrick May for not releasing more of his own music. This is to miss the point entirely. Derrick May makes music when he djs every night. Oh Yes! And as he says, he is the self-appointed ambassador of Detroit electronic music. His mission, in his own words is this: "To keep bullshit techno off the dance floors of the world and to spread the Detroit sound to the four corners of the world". He's a man with a mission, and he's out there.

The set closes out with accompaniment from Sundiata O.M, who has featured on many classic U.S. dance records on percussion, and Last Poets' Umar Bin Hassan reciting a classic Last Poet's text of black consciousness literature from the 1960s. Throughout the first Detroit Electronic Music festival, the continuing, unfinished task of establishing civil rights, was ever-present within the party spirit amongst the performers, revealing the roots of the music in the identity of a community, and showing the music to be more than simply entertainment. Outside Detroit, outside, the U.S., Techno and House music is entertainment and art. Within Detroit, within the U.S., it's much more than that. A short speech by Carl Craig closes the set.

The other mix we start this series with, is from the most recent Detroit Electronic Music Festival, this year called Fuse-In. This mix is from one of the after-parties, which have come to be such a big part of the festival weekend. Norm Talley, who together with Mike Clark and Delano Smith, are the exponents of Detroit Beatdown, gives us a great example of the Beatdown sound. Recorded at the Rehab party, the weekly Detroit Beatdown party at Agave on Woodward Ave, this was an unbelievable night, with awesome sets from everyone, including the guests on the night, The Urban Heirs (Glenn Underground and Craig Alexander).

The set demonstrates why Norm Talley is the Detroit djs' dj. Norm is one of Detroit's best kept secrets, and hints at the considerable depth in dj talent there is in Detroit. Like Derrick May, and many Detroit djs, these men and women are walking musical encyclopaedias. Their sets are incredibly varied, showing both understanding of the history of music, and what works on the dancefloor for every mood, vibe, and moment.

There is so much dj talent in Detroit, that Detroit Radio will very soon be 24 hour back-to-back mixes with no repetition, by djs you've never heard of, but who will blow your mind. It ain't no joke. This is the Motor City, man!

guy mccreery
c third ear 2005