September 2021

People who like Unity Vol 2 also listen to Marlow & Delhia, Myles Serge, Nekes, Rhythm & Soul, Sean Danke, Kronstadt Impulse, Ciro Leone, Kids In The Streets, buraq, Takuya Yamashita.

Upstairs Asylum released Unity Vol 2 on Wed Sep 15 2021. The 7 track House release features Delano Smith, Norm Talley, Tyree Cooper, Ataxia, Brian Kage, and Gari Romalis. Upstairs Asylum has released vinyl by Norm Talley, Omar S, Moodymann, Rick Wilhite, Delano Smith, Marcellus Pittman, Jon Dixon, Gerald Mitchell, Javontte, Tyree Cooper, Ataxia, Brian Kage, Gari Romalis, Rick Wade, and Mike Clark. People who like Unity Vol 2 also listen to Marlow & Delhia, Myles Serge, Nekes, Rhythm & Soul, Sean Danke, Kronstadt Impulse, Ciro Leone, Kids In The Streets, buraq, and Takuya Yamashita.

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!

Norm Talley

Tyree Cooper

Ataxia

As the world watches the renaissance and revival of Detroit, it listens for the sound of those carrying the torch of authentic Motor City-born techno into the future. Brian Kage is one of those innovators leading Detroit’s electronic music forward into the musical zeitgeist of change and revolution. Kage was recently crowned one of DJ magazine’s “10 Detroit Producers Keeping the Sound of the Motor City Alive.” Detroit born-and-raised Kage co-founded record label Beretta Music, through which he mentored and helped shape the careers of many internationally respected DJs and producers, including Seth Troxler, Ryan Crosson, and Luke Hess. Kage has also released well-received music on Omar S’s record label FXHE, Carl Craig’s Planet-E, Steve Bug’s PokerFlat, Rob Modell’s Echospace, and many more. Kage’s “DetroitLuv” record was featured and played on BBC Radio 1’s Essential Mix by Richie Hawtin and Ricardo Villalobos. Part of the underground dance duo “Reference” (along with fellow Detroit techno alumn Luke Hess), the group has performed in some of the world’s most prestigious dance clubs and halls both in North America and abroad. Kage’s “The Arc EP,” released on his own Michigander label, pays tribute to Detroit with its uplifting melodic techno style. “The Arc EP” was also featured and praised on Resident Advisor’s “New Tracks” list. Additionally, DJ magazine praised his collaboration with vocalist James Garcia, ‘Shut Your Eyes’, as “one of 2015’s best house tracks.” When he’s not working on his own music, Brian is working alongside local and international acts to mix, master and engineer their music with “KageMastering.” Clients have included Ataxia, John F.M., OB Ignitt, Monty Luke, Insane Clown Posse, and many more. A vital part of Detroit’s rich techno history, Brian Kage is one of the artists and producers providing the score for the Motor City’s continuing rebirth.

Delano Smith / Dorian Gig / Tyree Cooper / Norm Talley / Ataxia / Brian Kage / Gari Romalis - Unity Vol 2

Upstairs Asylum

Format: Vinyl

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