September 2023

People who like Straight Up No Chaser also listen to Anton Zap, Rick Wade, Boo Williams, Rondenion, Tony Lionni, Baaz, Iron Curtis, Norm Talley, Morning Factory, Terrence Parker.

Upstairs Asylum released Straight Up No Chaser on Thu Sep 14 2023. The 8 track House release features Delano Smith, and Norm Talley. **Upstairs Asylum** has also released vinyl by [Brian Neal](/artist/brian-neal), [Gari Romalis](/artist/gari-romalis), [Solid Gold Playaz](/artist/solid-gold-playaz), [Reggie Dokes](/artist/reggie-dokes), and [Eric Johnson](/artist/eric-johnson). Browse the [Upstairs Asylum catalogue](/label/upstairs-asylum). People who like Straight Up No Chaser also listen to Anton Zap, Rick Wade, Boo Williams, Rondenion, Tony Lionni, Baaz, Iron Curtis, Norm Talley, Morning Factory, Terrence Parker.

Of the original crop of Detroit DJs, Delano Smith is one of the few still dedicated to the craft. Reflecting on house and techno without his influence would reveal a very different musical landscape today. Coming up when the world was just discovering the impact a DJ could have, Delano traversed his way to the top in a tough scene full of talent. Although dance music post The Belleville Three and Underground Resistance is well documented, the context that set the tone for them to emerge is less so. At a time described as the Wild West by some, when party culture was taking its first tentative steps, Delano honed his skills under the the guidance of the late, great Ken Collier. With initial sets fusing soul, disco and early electronic sounds, Delano planted seeds in the minds of Detroit’s subsequent generations. Those dancing to his sets in the late 70s and early 80s would later become ambassadors of a scene with worldwide appeal. Now, Delano stands shoulder to shoulder with the figureheads he once educated, writing a brand new chapter for house and techno. Delano’s story is long and intriguing, first taking to the decks in friends’ basements, these weekend sessions turned into the dance hall parties that paved the way for Delano’s residencies at clubs across Detroit. Championing permutations of the post-Disco era, a sound described by the D’s luminaries as “progressive” before house and techno were officially coined, Delano began to receive bookings beyond his home state, eventually touring what would become a familiar axis between the US and Europe. Following a period out of the game, Delano returned with a new focus, forming the DJ collective BeatDownSounds with long-time peers Norm Talley and Mike 'Agent X' Clark. The trio offered a unique, slowed down and raw take on house, a sound picked up by London/Tokyo label, Third Ear Records, and presented on the double-length compilation ‘Detroit BeatDown Vol.1’, the success of which enabled Delano and his partners to represent the Motor City on an international level. Comparatively late to production, Delano started releasing his own music in earnest from 2002 onwards, finding homes on esteemed underground labels and of course on his own Mixmode imprint. In 2009 Delano formed a pivotal relationship with the Berlin based Sushitech Records, following a chance meeting with label head Yossi Amoyal, the setting Panorama Bar, a club that would later help define Delano’s musical direction. After a string of successful Sushitech EPs, Delano dropped ‘Odyssey’ onto the scene’s collective consciousness, an album spawning enduring dancefloor favourites. Two years later his sophomore long player arrived, loaded with dark and dubby material ‘Twilight’ was a curve ball to follow the hysteria that greeted his debut. 2017 saw Delano add yet another Sushitech LP to his discography, entitled ‘Detroit Lost Tapes’ it offered archived material, dug out and recontextualised with a worldwide tour following in support.

Delano Smith

Born and raised on Detroits westside in the late 60's Norm's addiction to music began at an early age.By the age of 13 years old Norm's diverse musical outlook consisted of Disco,Progressive,Jazz.Starting off Norm collected good music(45's-8-tracks-Vinyl)with proceeds earned from his paper route and eventually was introduced to Ken Collier who just happened to live 3 blocks over so needless to say most of the Disco and Progressive I attained was through Ken who was a DJ mentor for me.At this point and time I only had one turntable an eight-track player a receiver and some speakers.So I would have friends over and play records and we would dance until we were sweating!!So one day a friend that would come over and vibe was having a backyard party and needed a DJ and asked me to do it which was really special to me because I had never did a party in my life,I only had one turntable and couldn't mix!!So back to Grindstone I went to earn the money to buy a turntable and a mixer and a tape deck which I had about two months to get.At that time I made about $30 dollars a week and before you know it I was at HD Sounds putting together a system(Gem Sounds,Sharp tape deck excellent for pause button mixes,pioneer turntable)So it was on!I did the party which turned out to be a success and got some more offers to do more gigs which began a career on the decks that stands to date!!So in 1985 I began to archive the mixes I was doing on Cassette tapes(over 500)and did that for 15 years up until the year 2000 when I began making mixed CDs which I have over 400 to date!

Straight Up No Chaser

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