In a message dated 3/9/00 2:40:02 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< Saying Detroit is finished with techno makes no sense to me. SORRY I asked you to elaborate...it seems like a pretty big generalization and I think Jaguar is a great release for Rolando with many more to come from the city of Detroit by people like Dan Bell, Ritchie Hawtin, Anthony Shakir, The Planet-E crew, the Transmat Crew, Wild Planet...the list goes on and they have all been producing good music. >> I think what Alan is getting at is that the Detroit techno scene has stagnated, nobody is innovating anymore and there hasn't been a release in the past five years that stands up that well to the classic stuff done a long time ago, and also that most of the pre-eminent Detroit producers and musicians have moved past the early pure techno sound to a more hybridized thing (see Innerzone Orchestra, Model 500, etc.) You are right in your assertion that people are still making old school techno music in Detroit, but I think Alan is equally right in his that it is just more of the same. And compare current Transmat releases to old ones, compare Wild Planet, Shake, Hawtin, any modern Octave One or 430 West, etc. to Strings of Life, Night Drive, I Believe, Neurotic Behavior, any Red Planet or Galaxy 2 Galaxy, Minimal Nation, Just Another Chance, etc. It's not that people aren't making good music these days but it seems the music hasn't advanced like it did back when. I don't want to slight current producers, but I suppose I am. Also I would venture a guess that Alan notices the difference in quality and innovation much more than the rest of us, who were not fortunate enough to be intimately involved in the early days of the Detroit electronic revolution. I can only comment based on the records I hear, but people like Alan can comment based on the general vibe of the city and the musicians as well. Matt
