Parabellum Detroit

Los Angeles independent record shop with a curated selection of new and used vinyl.

Agora Records

March 2021

People who like Parabellum Detroit also listen to Andre Holland, Nomadico, Dark Energy, DJ Dex, DJ Skurge, Sean Deason, Mr. De', The Deacon, DJ T-1000, Optic Nerve.

ESSENTIAL. Delano Smith & Rick Wilhite compile a huge compliation featuring an all-star lineup of Detroit house and techno producers. 
 
Calling on friends and peers including the likes of Marcellus Pittman, Moodymann, Gerald Mitchell, Omar S, and Javontte, the compilations explores the sounds of Detroit in 2020 and beyond. Upstairs Asylum released Parabellum Detroit on Tue Apr 06 2021. The 11 track House release features Delano Smith, Gerald Mitchell, Javontte, Jon Dixon, Marcellus Pittman, Moodymann, Norm Talley, Omar S, and Rick Wilhite. **Upstairs Asylum** has also released vinyl by [Marcus Harris](/artist/marcus-harris), [DJ Ryte Nou](/artist/dj-ryte-nou), [Dez Andres](/artist/dez-andres), [Miguel Herrnandez](/artist/miguel-herrnandez), and [Manuold](/artist/manuold). Browse the [Upstairs Asylum catalogue](/label/upstairs-asylum). People who like Parabellum Detroit also listen to Andre Holland, Nomadico, Dark Energy, DJ Dex, DJ Skurge, Sean Deason, Mr. De', The Deacon, DJ T-1000, Optic Nerve.

Theo Parrish

Alton Miller

Kyle Hall

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

Gerald Mitchell

Javontte

Ever since he could remember, Jon Dixon has had a passion for music. Jon began playing by ear at the age of four and has always enjoyed challenging himself by learning music in this manner. He began reading and studying classical piano at the age of 15 while enrolled at The High School For Fine and Performing Arts where he also studied Jazz with Mr. Edward Quick. Upon graduating he began performing with the Detroit Symphony Civic Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Detroit's own Godfather of jazz, the late Marcus Belgrave. While performing locally with this ensemble, he also attended Wayne State University where he studied jazz piano under Matt Michaels. As time went on, word of mouth began to spread about Dixon and his talents. While in college he accompanied The Mosaic Youth Theater of Detroit as an accompanist/bandleader for their productions and concerts as well as performed all over the city and state. Jon currently teaches multiple group piano classes at the Michigan State University Community Music School in Midtown Detroit. He has had the chance to also play for/with Chick Corea, Jeff Hamilton, Robert Hurst, Delfayo Marsalis, John Clayton, The Count Basie Orchestra, Marcus Belgrave, The Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Leon Ware, Eric Roberson, Dwele, Amp Fiddler and more over the past decade. Recently Dixon has been taking another approach towards music and production while currently working on various Hi-Tech Jazz projects. In 2015 Jon started an independent label, 4EVR 4WRD (Forever Forward) to focus on making electronic music fused with elements of Jazz, Hip Hop and other styles of music. 'I feel that it is important for me as a musician to not only continue the rich culture and history of both jazz and electronic music but to also use my knowledge, theory and experience to combine the two and take both genres to the next level!' Jon has had the opportunity to not only lead the Underground Resistance live acts Galaxy 2 Galaxy and Timeline, but he has also performed with Interstellar Fugitives, Amp Fiddler, Jeff Mills, Mike Banks, Derrick May, Francesco Tristano, Carl Craig, Goldie and more. Dixon is one of the city's most sought-after musicians for every genre ranging from jazz to techno. He believes that the more versatile and open minded you are at your craft, the further it will take you. Jon is currently working on multiple projects that are sure to be the beginnings of a new approach and chapter in Detroit's music history.

Jon Dixon

Marcellus Pittman

Moodymann worked at several Detroit record stores in the mid-nineties including a store owned by producer Blake Baxter. During the mid-nineties Kenny was also the resident DJ at the Detroit based Outcast Motorcycle Club. At that time he was known as 'House'. After his first several releases on Planet E Records Kenny became quite popular in France and from there his popularity grew. Moodymann sound is a hybrid form of techno/house dance music arrived at via innovative use of reworked riffs, samples and grooves. While he may frustrate people with his refusal to be interviewed and insistence on reminding people of the genre's origins, the soulfulness of his output is unquestioned. Utilizing classic soul and jazz samples, low-slung bass lines and an approach to drum programming that is diametrically opposed to the tendency to push the tempo faster and faster, he has achieved classic status thanks to gems like 'Sunday Morning', 'Shades of Jae', and his remix of Innerzone Orchestra's 'People Make the World Go Round'. Following years of 12' only releases, he compiled his best work on 'Silentintroduction', one of the most celebrated albums of the late 90s.

Moodymann

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!

Norm Talley

Omar S

A Detroit native, Rick learned at an early age that a career in music takes more than playing one’s favorite records. Multi-faceted crowd control, sound engineering and creative party promotion are what make him more than a Detroit DJ. With over two decades experience in playing clubs and parties 24-7, 365 makes the Godson one of Detroit’s best and most versatile DJ’s around. His venture to college in the south to Southern University allowed his skills to take the region to another level of Music. His DJ styles of House, Techno, Rap and R&B helped change the black college music scene across America. Beginning in high school, Wilhite also battled in contests against other well-respected DJ’s. He still impresses audiences today, and retains his undefeated status in the DJ community. A 30+year professional within the music industry, Wilhite adds Music Historian, Salesperson, and Promoter to his list of accomplishments. During the 80’s Wilhite worked for Buy Rite Music, which was one of the premiere record stores in the Midwest. Buy-Rite specialized in servicing the DJ as opposed to having the DJ serving himself. During the late 80's early 90’s, he soon became one of the most sought-after music professionals in the industry. Equipped with a keen ear for quality music, he embarked on a path of self-proprietorship. He opened The House of Music in downtown Detroit. As well the record store, Vibes New and Rare Music. Throughout his music career, Wilhite has performed for numerous international and stateside venues. He has gone by a host of names: DOC, Tech-12, Working Mixx, and most recently The Godson. Interestingly enough, each alias describes and symbolizes his relationship to his craft. He has established successful working relationships with city officials, journalists, and media personalities; and has befriended many music artists. Influenced by Detroit’s legendary pool of musicians, he entered production studios at the early age of eleven. He began remixing records in 1986 with the group NASA. Additionally, Wilhite worked alongside many electronic music pioneers, such as Juan Atkins and Derrick May. In recent years, Wilhite has established a bond with fellow musicians Marcellus Pittman, Kenny Dixon Jr. and Theo Parrish’ now known as the 3 Chairs.

Parabellum Detroit

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