Various - 313 Detroit

"Distance" is one of that great tracks that helps to understand how was the development of the techno sound and how it moves from "dance" to the "bleep".
Here, two of the greatest techno producers: Juan Atkins and Martin Bonds (Aux 88, Alien FM) comes together in an occasional project call Real by Reel (they only record some 12") to show us what must have been the next wave in electronic music in the start of the 90's, when the IDM was developing.

Quite a good example of Detroit's 'second generation' techno artists. Reel by Real's 'Distance' is a perfect meld of Detroit Techno and 'Bleeps' and is one of my favorite techno tracks. The only other place that track can be found is the famous and ultra-rare 'Surkit' EP on Interface records. MK's K.E.L.S.E.Y. track is a pretty typical example of his sound- techno with a little house. 'Warwick' by Eddie Fowlkes' is yet another example of his unique techno sound- which I am a big fan of.

While there is quite a bunch of good Detroit Techno compilations out there, this one is rather special. Unlike other comparable publications like the "Relics"-Transmat Compilation that concentrate on the more archaic, classic Detroit sound following a more conservative definition, this one is merely a demonstration of how multi-facetted the style actually is. From atmospheric, laid back grooves to unmistakeably dancefloor orientated tracks - the big variety of Detroit Techno's stylistical manifestations was documented as good as ever possible on a double-12" album without being anywhere near eclectic, overladen or clashing. On the contrary: listen to the entire record from track A1 to D2 and you'll be in a completely different mood than you were before picking up this compilation. That mood - THAT is pure, idealistic Techno - you will notice at the latest when 69's timeless classic "Desire" is finally playing.

Interesting for historical reasons: Reel by Real's "Distance" is a good example to show how much the music from 1992 and even before (!) still contributes to today's musical development like i.e. the mid 2000s' Electro-style House variations (although it's also amazing to see how awful and dull "music" with partly so epic and revolutionary roots/influences can sound like). Another nice idea was to include productions like "Free Your Mind" by Piece or Subterfuge's "Unconscious World" - tracks that create a nice relation to the early 1990s Rave sound.

All in all I have to say that I'm completely stunned by this record. Not only is its pressing and production of outstanding quality - above all the spirit of Detroit Techno was very well converted and compiled on this release. Just like the title promises - 313 is Detroit's area code - the ideology's essence is included everywhere: the music, the beautiful cover artwork and the release text written on the sleeve's backside:
"It came to us from another planet. A satellite city, eight wonders from America's seventh city. At long last, 313 has arrived, a flash of light for these dark times, music that is out there in a world of its own..."