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Rhythim Is Rhythim - Strings Of Life
Genre:
Electronic
Style:
Techno
Year:
1987
Notes:
Considered a classic in both the house and techno genres, "Strings Of Life" is the most recognizable and well-known song in Derrick May's repertoire. It is based on a piano sequence by May's then-friend Michael James, and was originally at 80 BPM before May increased the tempo, chopped it up into loops, and added percussion and string samples.
There were five official versions of the song. The first two were released in 1987: the famous 7:23 mix called "Strings Of Life (Piano Mix)" or just "Strings Of Life", and a 6:56 remix called "Strings (Flam-Boy-Ant Mix)" or just "Strings". In 1989, two new remixes were licensed exclusively to UK & European labels: a Juan Atkins remix called "Strings Of Life '89 (Juan's Magic Mix)", and an uncredited remix called "Strings of Life (Exclusive Remix)" (issued on a split release with Model 500). In 1991, an 8:23 kick drum-free version titled "Strings Of Life (Unreleased Mix)", "Strings Of Life (Remix)", or "Strings Of The Strings Of Life" first appeared, and featured additional production by Carl Craig & Derrick May. This mix was "unreleased" in the sense that it was new at the time and was never officially released on a single; only on compilations.
Numerous compilations feature early fades and other space-saving edits of the original 1987 Piano Mix, the 1989 Exclusive Remix, and the 1991 Unreleased Mix.
There were five official versions of the song. The first two were released in 1987: the famous 7:23 mix called "Strings Of Life (Piano Mix)" or just "Strings Of Life", and a 6:56 remix called "Strings (Flam-Boy-Ant Mix)" or just "Strings". In 1989, two new remixes were licensed exclusively to UK & European labels: a Juan Atkins remix called "Strings Of Life '89 (Juan's Magic Mix)", and an uncredited remix called "Strings of Life (Exclusive Remix)" (issued on a split release with Model 500). In 1991, an 8:23 kick drum-free version titled "Strings Of Life (Unreleased Mix)", "Strings Of Life (Remix)", or "Strings Of The Strings Of Life" first appeared, and featured additional production by Carl Craig & Derrick May. This mix was "unreleased" in the sense that it was new at the time and was never officially released on a single; only on compilations.
Numerous compilations feature early fades and other space-saving edits of the original 1987 Piano Mix, the 1989 Exclusive Remix, and the 1991 Unreleased Mix.
Tracklist
| Strings (Flam-Boy-Ant Mix) | 6:54 | |
| Strings Of Life | 7:23 | |
| Move It (Remix) | 5:42 | |
| Kaos (Juice Bar Mix) | 5:50 | |
| Untitled | 3:08 |
Versions
| Title, Format | Label | Cat# | Country | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strings Of Life (12") | Transmat | MS 004 | US | ||
| Strings Of Life (12") | Transmat | MS 4 | US | 1987 | |
| Strings Of Life (12") | Transmat | MS 004 | US | 1987 | |
| Strings Of Life (12") | Transmat | MS 004 | US | 1987 | |
| Strings Of Life (12") | Transmat | MS 004 | US | 1987 | |
| Strings Of Life (12") | Transmat | MS 004 | US | 1987 | |
| Strings Of Life (12", W/Lbl) | Transmat | MS-004 | US | 1987 | |
| Strings Of Life '89 (12") | ZYX Records | ZYX 6263-12 | Germany | 1989 | |
| Strings Of Life '89 (12") | Kool Kat Music, Big Life | KOOL T509 | UK | 1989 | |
| Strings Of Life '89 (12", Promo) | Kool Kat Music, Big Life | RHYTHIM PROMO 1 | UK | 1989 | |
| Strings Of Life '89 (7") | Kool Kat Music | KOOL 509 | UK | 1989 | |
| Strings Of Life (12", RE) | Transmat | MS 4 | US | 1992 | |
| Strings Of Life (12", RE) | Transmat | MS 4 | US | 1992 | |
| Strings Of Life (12", RE) | Transmat | MS-4 | US |
▸ show all 7 reviews
Reviews & Discussion
referencing Strings Of Life, 12", MS 4
An interesting thing about 'Strings Of Life' is that Derrick May didn't name the song, but Frankie Knuckles did. Derrick took the song to Frankie, so he could play it at the Power Plant. The song was played seven times in a row in a night and the people who came to dance loved it. But there was still no name for the song, but everybody called it 'The String Song'. Then Frankie came up with the idea to call it 'Strings Of Life'.
referencing Strings Of Life '89, 12", KOOL T509
It became a common sense the fact that ‘Strings Of Life’ was the most important Techno classic of the early period, most precisely the eighties. On this matter, this English Twelve Inch pressing of the tune by the label Kool Kat became among the main responsibles for the Techno explosion in Europe (together with 'Techno! The New Dance Sound Of Detroit' compilation and the Inner City massive hits ‘Big Fun’ and ‘Good Life’). According to Mark Archer, ‘Strings Of Life’ (present in the ‘Deep Heat 89 – Fight The Flame’ compilation) was “one of the tunes of the year of 1989 and the tune of 1990”, though being conceived in America years before, in 1987. The Burden brothers from Octave One didn’t hesitate to claim that, “with Strings of Life, Derrick was the real precursor”, for “that was the track that started bending things”. They also said that, without this essential anthem, there probably would be no ‘Jaguar’ or ‘Blackwater’. The last track of the B Side of this single, ‘Nude Photo’, also released originally by Transmat in 1987, was included later on WARP 10+1 Influences compilation. All of these facts (among others) lead us to the conclusion that this English single, packed with a gorgeous sleeve cover of an android in the middle of musical notes, was one of the main reasons for the Techno definitive invasion in Europe.
referencing Strings Of Life, 12", MS 4
Even though the Soul Central version for "Strings of Life" turned to be a massive hit kinda instantly, the original version from master Derrick May should get the credits for it, 'cause it holds the essence. It may be a bit slower and have a different mood from the more recent tracks, but it definitely has the spirit of a Detroit Techno classic.
referencing Strings Of Life, 12", MS 4
Strings is simply the greatest track ever. I can remember the first time I ever heard it, it changed my life. I just had to have one. From the moment the piano starts the song just oozes emotion. Then the synth stabs enter and all hell breaks loose. By the time the drums are added you cannot help yourself. You simply have to go wild.
Derrick's best work in my opinion, still to be bettered.
Check out the release on Buzz for a truly epic no beats version. Strings of Life is a must have for everyone!
Derrick's best work in my opinion, still to be bettered.
Check out the release on Buzz for a truly epic no beats version. Strings of Life is a must have for everyone!
referencing Strings Of Life, 12", MS 4
I've got the 92 re-press of this with the quote from Don Juan... "The universe is an infinite agglomeration of energy fields resemlbing strings of light. These energy fields, call emanations, radiate from a source of inconceivable proportions metaphorically called THE SOURCE. Human beings are also composed of an incalculable number of the same stringlike energy fields. These emanations form an encased agglomeration that manifast itself as a vall of light the size of the humans body in the shape of a luminous egg".
As near as I know these pressings marked the reactivation of the Transmat label.
As near as I know these pressings marked the reactivation of the Transmat label.
referencing Strings Of Life '89, 12", ZYX 6263-12
What an abuse of such a great tune to put it on this f***in' label. I remember back in these days (2001 must be a re-release, it was in 1995 I think) I found this record in a record-shop and left it there because only of the label it was released on. Now I wouldn't do this a second time but watch for the 'Unreleased Mix' of this track, there will never be a better one then this one - amazing.
Sometimes I feel sad when I look at Derrick May's catalogue and see that he stopped giving us music after only a few magical years near the end of the 20th century, but when I listen through, I find it full of emotional explosions like this one. They are focused and cut like a scalpel to the heart. Maybe he got sick of the pressure, maybe he is lazy (doubtful), or maybe he just burned out after producing a dozen odd songs like this one. I want him to produce more music, but I also feel satisfied with what he has made so far.