Detroit Techno Vinyl 100 Items

Sealed copy with a strong stuffed and bnt corner!

For those in the know, Brian Kage's chops as a producer and studio wizard are well established. The artist has released on Omar S' Fxhe, Carl Craigs' Planet-E, Steve Bug’s PokerFlat, Rob Modell’s Echospace, his own labels Beretta Music and Michigander, and other imprints, helped launch the careers of internationally respected DJs and producers like Seth Troxler, Ryan Crosson, and Luke Hess, and mix, mastered, and engineered for Ataxia, John F.M., OB Ignitt, Monty Luke, and more. Lauded for a sound that is rooted, yet forever forward in its approach, his most recent work, 909 Nights EP, is no exception. The title track reintroduces a winning team with Taho and Kage combining forces again. The release gets off the starting line with a booming kick, that signature drum sound of acid house's most infamous rhythm machine. Syncopated closed hats and cymbal crashes rush in before their crunchy snare and clap companions join in. Pitch bending open hats introduce track progressions like earth shattering orchestral stabs and rich, uplifting piano notes underwritten by deep chords and a fat bass line while short, squelchy, guitar-like licks dance below. As atmospheric as it is bumping, a synthetic flute playfully flutters into the mix, elevated by airy strings and a French filtered elastic brass solo lead. A touch of acid completes this journey through sound. Listeners would be forgiven for thinking they reopened Club Zanzibar in Detroit and this was its anthem. Shifting gears, "Warehouse Vibes" flares up next with phased effects and a filtered kick driving the track along a conveyor belt towards an all-enveloping dubby techno bliss. Pressure steadily builds up before being released in the form of steam flowing from creaky, rusted pipes. While the sonic palette delivers on its promise, this is no ordinary warehouse we've entered the gates into; it's breaking in through the shattered window of an abandoned industrial manufacturing facility territory instead. Perhaps a little fuzzy after the previous beatdown, "jax" is an intentionally full-body workout as the fist-pumping grip of the preceding cut gives way to hip-thrusting, put-your-back-in-it dancing action. Jacking drums lend the track a hefty bounce while the vocals really hammer the point home, in case there was somehow any confusion left as to what to do with this one. An impressing flex, partygoers are guaranteed to be going home seeing gains after each play. The Motor City may make less cars these days, but Brian Kage is an integral component of artists under the 313 emblem ensuring there's no shortage of newer model Detroit house and techno productions that are reliable and well worth the ride.

Norm Talley's Upstairs Asylum label only arrived in 2021 but is already up there with the great Motor City imprints. The boss has been busy putting together a trio of new EPs for the first half of 2023 that showcases a wealth of Mid-West talent. House hero Boo Williams kicks off this one with his typically tight drum programming and party-starting synth work on 'Tickin Clock.' Eric Johnson keeps it raw, deep and loopy on 'Melodic Gruv' then Reggie Dokes brings his signature Atlanta house sound to 'Mother's Child' with its melancholic lead sax and 'End of Time' is a broken beat bliss out.

Upstairs Asylum Recordings is one of the many seminal Detroit labels run by local legend Norm Talley. It's right in the middle of a busy run right now with no fewer superb run with three new EPs all dropping in quick succession. This one is a split EP with US duo Solid Gold Playaz taking care of the a-side. As always with this pair, their sounds are deep and dusty house with exquisite melodies tugging at the heart. On the flip, Gari Romalis steps up with the slick percussive skip of 'Detroit After Dark' then 'Panties' from Brian Neal brings jacked up analogue groves that lean into techno with a big fat bassline.