Various - Relics - A Transmat Compilation

In order to differentiate the original and very shoddily done re-presses, the original 92 lp has a beautiful textured sleeve that feels almost woven, and a grooved label (like the early dutch pressings a la 100% pure, djax, etc). Whereas the repress is standard gloss card cover, and the vinyl is a little worse of a pressing. There are probably more represses than originals now, which is a shame as its a very cheap job for such an outstanding compilation of the finest Detroit music. The original was always hard to come by before the represses, hence the prices, but for quality for your money buy the original!

Detroit at its finest. Many hard to find rarities sit alongside more common tracks, all of them linked trough small pieces courtesy of Derrick, give to this compilation a true album feel, that you want to listen to from start to finish in one go. Beautiful soundscape and darker grooves alternate perfectly. This music comes from (what was at the time, 87-92) one of the hardest city in the world, yet I put it on myself to escape unpleasant realities.
And I should give Habdul Haaq a very special mention for the artwork on the sleeve ; as usual with him, otherworldly graphics that, if you look carefully, will take you on another planet, for real!

Far superior to its vinyl counterpart, the CD version of Relics adds numerous full-length tracks and intervals that were not included on the (often bootlegged) vinyl version. Regarded by many not only as one of the definitive Detroit techno comps, but also as one of the greatest releases electronic music has ever known. The best versions of "Wiggan" and "Strings of Life" are right here. The Carl Craig intros and tracks sound as if they were beamed to the early nineties from the very distant future....often imitated & never duplicated brilliance.