Andrew, you put into words, things which a lot of people would like to say.
Cheers, k >-----Original Message----- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >Sent: Wednesday, September 03, 2003 2:14 AM >To: [email protected] >Subject: (313) A tribute to James Stinson > > >September 3 marks a sad anniversary--the passing of >Detroit's James Stinson at the age of 33 from heart >complications. > >I remember clearly the day I heard the news; I ended up >spending the day listening to my Drexciya records over >and over. The raw power and passion of "Positron >Island" has been not just one of my favorite Drexciya >songs, not just one of my favorite electronic music >songs, but one of my favorite songs of any genre since >the first time I heard it; just as Drexciya remains one >of my favorite bands--regardless of genre. Though I >have been very lucky and have had the priviledge of >interviewing many of my electronic music "heroes" over >the years, my interview with James stood out to me >right after I spoke with him--and continues to resonate >even more so since his passing. After hearing the >news, I re-listened to the tape of that interview from >December 13, 1999 and was reminded of how many plans >Stinson had--to tour, to release even more material, to >build relationships with those who connected with his >music. Stinson's music continues to be released even >after his death, such was his level of quality productivity. > And we know from the Submerge mailouts that the spawn >of Drexciya are hitting vinyl. But what struck me most >about my interview with Stinson was that, despite the >incredible focus he obviously had on music, more >importantly, he was always able to achieve a balance. >James told me that music was the *third* most important >thing in his life. I asked him what was ahead of >music; "My family and God," he replied. I am not a >religious person, but I do understand the importance of >family, and today, as I did the day I heard the news, I >thought of James' family and wished them peace and >strength. > >We now have only James' music to remember him by. He >was only here on earth for 33 years, but he managed to >give us so much joy in the time he was here, and we can >continue to keep his memory alive by thinking of him >whenever we play and enjoy the music of Drexciya in the >future. I am sure James is now in that calm and >tranquil place he fondly spoke of--somewhere over the >Red Hills. Rest in peace, James Stinson. Take care. >Andrew Duke PS As a tribute to this fallen Drexciyan >warrior, I will be posting something special soon. > >out now: Environmental Politics http://and-oar.org >Take Nothing For Granted http://acidfake.tk >Sprung http://bip-hop.com >http://warprecords.com/mart/music/release.php? >cat=BLEEP12&fc_type=CD >*Canadian electronica album of the year nominee* >More Destructive Than Organized http://staalplaat.com >Highest Common Denominator http://pieheadrecords.com >Physical and Mental Health http://dialrecords.com >74'02 (split with Hypo) http://tsunami-addiction.com >Waveforms: Halifax Electronic Music Compilation >http://cognitionaudioworks.com >
