Detroit House 42 Items

A new label out of Mexico, Short Attention Records launches its second release with a five track offering of proper melodic techno from Hector Ram with the word 'quality' stamped large upon them. 'Midnight Sounds' starts things off with the grand rhythmically-building 'Midnight Sounds', almost New Order-esque at times. 'For Our Small Parties' follows, old skool again in flavour, blending subtly employed breaks and a sturdy house framework, then 'Dear Dancefloor', probably the gentlest and most fragile effort here, opens side two. 'On The Road' boasts a more electro feel and Orbital-esque synths, and is deemed worthy of a second airing via a nicely throbbing remix from Detroit's Generation Next closing proceedings.

Rawax proudly welcomes back Mr. Rick Wade from Detroit on the Motor City Edition Vol. 20! Rick delivers with "Mystic Tech Ep" another deep house beauty with his remarkeble and unique sound. Highly recommended!

Detroit based producer & DJ 2lanes is happy to announce the evolution of his digital label ‘auto Shop’ into the physical world with its first release; a new alias called Overtone Series. A collaborative project between 2lanes and fellow Detroiter Jonah Baseball, recorded over many sessions during early lockdown. The "Shuffle Shack EP" has 4 tracks that span psychedelic deep house, dance floor stomping soul, and rejuvenating sunrise downtempo moments. The record also features performances from Jonah’s father David Gray, Los Angeles based singer Jia Pet and Ji Hoon - who was featured on the B-side “Impish Desires” on 2lanes breakthrough record on Portage Garage Sounds.

Extremely rude, extremely powerful, extremely Detroit. You will never miss this one if you are on the dance floor. The boss of Visillusion records was one of the first music producers and DJ’s who dipped his toes into the deep black pond of techno. Actually, that was so long ago that nobody knew the name of this genre at the time. From 1987 he has appeared under different monikers around the globe for many occasions and he is definitely cannot be stopped.

TroiAlexis is a young talented Detroit female song writter who was discovered by Omar S at the Conant Gardens Party Store who sung Acapella to him at a Hi Tech party and was blown away by her Soulful voice!!

Back with a new EP and featuring 2 of Detroits finest vocalists, Jon Dixon brings the Detroit Jazzy House style he’s known for. L’Renee and Kenny Watson both bring their unique voices to Jon’s masterful production and Jimpster, also lends a hand with an incredible remix. The Vocal sessions Vol. 1 is the first EP featuring some of Jon’s favorite vocalists. This is Hi-Tech Jazz at its finest.

King Theo has landed! You can bet 12 years ago when Wolf Music started the label, they never thought they’d be welcoming certified royalty Theo Parrish to lay down a remix on a release. And what better track for Theo to work his magic on, than the deep depths of Tone Control’s 2008 classic – ‘Illusion’.

Buttery, soulful deepness, ‘Illusion’ has it all, hitting you right in that soft spot - pure eyes closed business. Late night, early morning, peak time, take your pick. It was an instant classic when it was released, with Theo regularly drawing for it at his legendary Plastic People residency.

Now sit the man Theo down in the studio with the stems for a track he clearly loves and what do you get? A slice of Theo genius no doubt. His ‘SS Translation’ clocks in at nearly 10 minutes, building, twisting and turning in a way only Theo knows how. Restructuring and relayering the elements to squeeze every last drop of emotion out of Tone Control’s track, Theo’s delectable bass synth playing, at times haunting keys and fresh drum programming give a rawness and punch to the cut that channel that inner Theo spirit in style.

Flip it to find Tone Control’s mix of ‘Illusion’, Simon Finnegan and Marcus Harris’ biggest hit that’s still played today by the likes of Kyle Hall, Jay Daniel and Kerri Chandler. In fact, who better to talk this track up than Kerri himself, with a quote from back in the day:

“…It is one of my favorite songs. Even the way the song is put together is honestly what house is all about for me. It's got every element I love in one song, dope bass line, a different deep vocal, the sounds are hot (drums, even the way he made them swing, that Rhodes) all of it… Everyone I play it for they freak out about it.”

All in all, this 12 is a must-have for those that like to get down!

With How We Groove, Lello Di Franco (L.D.F.) and Brian Garrett (Javonntte) pair up for a prototypical Yore release, a high-quality affair that’s natural clubby yet also artful. Di Franco’s an Italian DJ and producer who’s based in Naples and whose career began in the early ’90s; Garrett, on the other hand, hails from Detroit and has been creating material for almost as long. Their respective output locates itself solidly in house and techno but extends into soul, funk, and jazz areas too. Said gravitations aren’t mere flirtations either; Garrett’s interest in jazz began in high school, and when he was fifteen or so the aspiring musician even had a month’s worth of lessons in the mid-’80s with-wait for it-Miles Davis (Garrett’s mom apparently had connections). Associations with Aretha Franklin, Blake Baxter, and others surface in his history-but that’s for another time. All three tracks qualify as dance productions but satisfy equally well on pure listening grounds. While a strong ’80s vibe initially oozes from “Believe” in the electronic drum fills that get it moving, the cut quickly settles into a light-speed groove that percolates with single-minded determination. The richly detailed arrangement shape-shifts rapidly: at one moment, syncopated piano chords give the track a classic house feel; at another synthesizer flourishes and bass pulses lend it a sleek, sci-fi quality as the material thrusts breathlessly forward. The less frenetic “From Day to Night” is earthier and funkier though no less artful. As a punchy bottom end establishes an infectious house vibe (with a bit of jazz swing also in the mix), see-sawing vocal elements and bubbly synthesizer touches elevate the track to a headier ‘listening’ realm.

DJ Aakmel on Norm Talleys Upstairs Asylum Records

For our third release we are thrilled to welcome Detroit legend Rick Wade to Purveyor Underground Limited! Rick has delivered 2 stunning tracks for the "Can't Be Beat EP" We hope you enjoy!!!

Detroit mainstay Andrés returns to MotorCity Wine Recordings with an anthemic 4 tracker entitled Sunday Kinda Love. For those that know, MotorCity Wine is the spot for Sunday parties, so we only thought it appropriate to have one of Detroit’s most seminal producers highlight the vibe with this EP. On the A side is Andrés’s dusty house sound that we’ve all come to love, complete with bouncing basslines, slick vocal chops, and drums to turn out any dance floor. On the flip side Andrés slows the tempo just a touch to highlight his chunky midtempo beatdown sounds, with “Rubin Samba” bringing a Latin flair and “Sunday Kinda Love” driving it all home. Essential Detroit music manufactured in Detroit and housed in a gorgeous vinyl package, TIP!

Oftentimes in this busy and chaotic world it’s challenging to draw a parallel between two congruent events. In this case drawing its inspiration from Detroit’s meteoric rise from the ruins of the past, BerettaMusic a label founded in Detroit in 2002 who took a several year hiatus is back in a big way, also rising from the ashes like it’s birth city has done. Ryan Sadorus who co-founded the label with Brian Kage delivers some next level quirky Detroit house jams. Already getting spins by local Detroit DJ’s and the verdict is in and the tracks are dance floor ready and sure to get people moving. The release also features vinyl artwork by renowned midwest artist Jon Griffin featured on full color vinyl jackets. First off is “Slippah”, a shuffling and quirky bass heavy stormer. The track builds through various levels dropping into syncopated and distorted vocal riffs, lifting its way into some pulsing synth stabs with perfectly timed filtering which lends itself to the overall energy rise through the track. With a huge breakdown and vocal stab sequence, it’s sure to have them moving! “Hit 'em with da slippah!” Expansive is a chugging deep house tune with atmospheric synth business to really set the mood anytime of the night. A deep bassline carries the tune along into a breakdown complete with a quote from the man himself, Carl Sagan. Brian Kage delivers a stunning remix of Expansive, imprinting his own defined style he’s known for as he keeps things level grounded with evolving Detroit-inspired soulful elements. Last but not least, “Flexxin” is ripping speaker work out of epic proportions. Another quirky, bass heavy jam that will definitely wake up the dance floor. Written and Produced by Ryan Sadorus, mixed by Brian Kage at The Bear Cave in Detroit Mastered by Dietrich Schoenemann Label art by Brian Kage & Juju / painted original portrait art by Jon Griffin Special thanks to: Juju, my parents and family, Brian Kage, Ronnie Perez, Sims Cabrera and the entire Guam crew, Norm Talley, Dietrich and to you for your support! - Ryan Sadorus

Sealed copy with a strong stuffed and bnt corner!

Sealed copy with a stuffed and bent corner!

Theo Parrish is one of those characters who manages to unite lovers of both house and techno, indeed producing offerings that seem to make the distinction utterly redundant. How does he doe it? Well, if this pair of new tracks are anything to go on, it's the simple trick of making tracks that combine the soufulness and rootsy earthiness of house with a trippy sense of the futuristic and psychedelic that elevates them out of the ordinary. Take, for instance 'In Motion's simple piano stabs and the subsequent off kilter groove that builds up around them. Or, equally, the cheeky bass keyboard manoeuvres that form the backbone of 'Don't Play' featuring Ava, funky enough to be Stevie Wonder but then matched with caustic, scything hi-hats that have more than a hint of the surreal and robotic about them. Best of all, it doesn't feel like a compromise, it feels like a full on creation that acknowledges both traditions but refuses to follow either slavishly.

Patrice Scott emerges from the studio, once again, with a fresh 4-tracker of authentic Sistrum sounds to soothe, move and invigorate listeners, worldwide. The vibes are high and the grooves are modern, yet firmly rooted in tradition. Put simply, this is proper deep house music for the heads, crafted as only Patrice can. Enjoy the sonic journey…

Another heater from Detroit's finest Upstairs Asylum. Norm Talley in full effect bringing together all the good souls of Motor City.

Part 2! Another heater from Detroit's finest Upstairs Asylum. Norm Talley in full effect bringing together all the good souls of Motor City.

Detroit heat!

Wowww. heavy compilation, puttogether by Delano Smith (Mixmode) and Rick Wilhite (Vibes New & Rare Music) featuring a fine selection on who's who in Detroit music - spread out over 3 vinyl discs !

All Trackz Written by Alister. Co Written and Mixed by Omar S Available on Af13 Records

Label cover.

REPRESS! Long, strung out deep Theo beats and deep, deep jazz is the flavour of this release, with a strong Sun Ra vibe.

Pomelo introduces the Motor City’s superbly talented Kemetrix, aka Soulwerkz Detroit. Part of the Mahogani Music family and closely associated to Moodyman as well as Sherard Ingram aka DJ Stingray, Kemetrix blazes a unique path through soul, funk, ghettotech and sci-fi electro styles. ‘Soulbrother #3? brings both KDJ’s deepness and Stingray’s futurism to the table, merging both sides of Detroit’s 20th century musical heritage, Motown and Metroplex, in singular fashion. Kemetrix’s influences range from Curtis Mayfield’s falsetto vocal style and social commentary, to George Clinton’s collage production style, and J Dilla’s raw and unquantized beat programming. Kemetrix’s music comes from the ghetto. It is raw, intense, and authentic, a unique expression of the struggle and hardships of Detroit inner city life – true soul music for the 21st century.

A classic double EP from one of Detroit´s finest, Omar S! Theo Parrish contributes on one track.

New one from Omar-S, featuring vocals from L'Renee. Three different mixes of a great tune- one naughty house track, one 80s influenced synth mix, and one mix that sounds like a sexy transmission from outer space! Tip!!