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Drexciya

Real Name:
James Marcel Stinson, Gerald Donald
Profile:
Detroit electro-techno outfit Drexciya was conceived in 1989, but first came into the public eye in 1994 with "Aquatic Invasion" - the first of a thematic series of releases. Drexciya's James Stinson and Gerald Donald remained hidden behind their alias for much of the group's existence, communicating a complex personal mythology of a "Drexciyan" race of underwater dwellers descended from pregnant slave women thrown overboard during trans-Atlantic deportation. Within this fiction, their music - which they claimed was recorded "live in the studio" rather than programmed - was imagined as a "dimensional jumphole" between their black African roots and the contemporary USA.

Sadly Stinson died suddenly on 3rd September 2002 of a heart condition. Donald continues to produce music under other names.
Sites:
Aliases:
Members:
In Groups:
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Discography

Releases:
Deep Sea Dweller (4 versions)   Shockwave Records ... 1992
Drexciya 2 - Bubble Metropolis (3 versions)   Underground Resistance 1993
Aquatic Invasion (2 versions)   Underground Resistance 1994
Drexciya 3 - Molecular Enhancement (5 versions)   Rephlex ... 1994
Drexciya 4 - The Unknown Aquazone - Double Aquapak ... (3 versions)   Submerge Recordings 1994
The Journey Home (EP) (3 versions)   Warp Records 1995
The Return Of Drexciya (4 versions)   Underground Resistance 1996
The Quest (Album, Comp) (7 versions)   Submerge Recordings 1997
Uncharted EP (12", EP)   Somewhere In Detroit 1998
Neptune's Lair (Album) (2 versions)   Tresor 1999
Fusion Flats (12")   Tresor 2000
Hydro Doorways (12")   Tresor 2000
Digital Tsunami (2 versions)   Tresor 2001
Grava 4 (Album) (5 versions)   Clone 2002
Harnessed The Storm (Album) (3 versions)   Tresor 2002
Untitled (12", Ltd)   Clone 2002
Remixes:
Electronic Warfare (The Mixes) (2 versions) Electronic Warfare (El... Underground Resistance 1996
Vibrations (CD, Mixed, Comp) Electronic Warfare (El... Underground Resistance 2002
Production:
Origins Of A Sound (CD, Comp) The Countdown Has Begu... Submerge Recordings 1995
Appears On:
The Long Winter Of Mars (2x12") Wardance Red Planet 1994
Definitions Of Sound 2 - A Collection Of Trance Highlights (CD, Comp, Dig) Black Sea Back To Bass-X 1995
Technophunk (Comp) (2 versions) Black Sea Rumour Records 1995
True People: The Detroit Techno Album (5x12", Ltd + Box, Album) Davey Jones Locker React 1996
DJ-Kicks (CD, Comp, Mixed) Hydro Theory Studio !K7, Rough Trade Germany 1998
Electro Boogie (CD, Comp, Mixed, Jew) Bubble Metropolis Studio !K7, Rough Trade Germany 1999
Tresor 2000 - Compilation Vol. 8 (CD) Species Of The Pod Tresor 2000
The New Preskriptions Of Dr. Lektroluv (CD, Mixed, Comp) Funk Release Valve 541 2002
Mice Or Cyborg (Album) (4 versions)   Clone 2003
Lektroluv 5 (CD, Mixed, Comp, Dig) Black Sea 541 2004
A Bugged Out Mix By Miss Kittin (2xCD, Mixed, Comp) Lost Vessel Resist Music 2006
Tracks Appear On:
Escape Into The Void (Comp) (2 versions) Welcome To Drexciya Submerge Recordings 1993
Magic Tracks - Deep Detroit Volume Two (Comp) (2 versions) Positron Island Pow Wow Records ... 1993
Mixmag Live! Volume 19 (Comp) (2 versions) The Journey Home DMC Publishing 1994
Definitions Of Sound 2 - A Collection Of Trance Highlights (CD, Comp, Dig) Black Sea Back To Bass-X 1995
Magic Tracks Featuring Juan Atkins (12") Positron Island Tresor 1995
Origins Of A Sound (CD, Comp) The Countdown Has Begu... Submerge Recordings 1995
Techno Miss (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Black Sea Javelin Ltd 1995
Technophunk (Comp) (2 versions) Black Sea Rumour Records 1995
The Rave Explosion - The Underground Continues... Vol. 2 (2xCD) Black Sea Elypsia 1995
Futuresonics - Techno Vision 01 (2xCD, Comp) Black Sea Elypsia 1996
Hardcore III (2xCD, Mixed, Comp) Intensified Magnetron Javelin Ltd 1996
True People: The Detroit Techno Album (Album, Comp) (2 versions) Davey Jones Locker React 1996
Warp Classics (CD) Black Sea Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) 1996
Techno Nations Volume 6 (Comp) (3 versions) Black Sea Kickin Records 1997
DJ-Kicks (Comp) (2 versions) Hydro Theory Studio !K7 ... 1998
Interstellar Fugitives (Comp) (2 versions) Aquatacizem Underground Resistance 1998
Techno Nations Volume 7 (CD, Comp) Depressurization Kickin Records 1998
Da Bomb Volume 2 (CD, Mixed) Aquatic Bata Particles Databass Records 1999
Electro Boogie (Comp) (2 versions) Bubble Metropolis Studio !K7 ... 1999
The Aztec Mystic Mix (CD, Mixed, Comp) Dr. Blowfins Experimen... Underground Resistance 1999
Kaktus Discos Uno (CD, Comp, Promo) Lost Vessel Kaktus (3) 2000
Kozzmozz: Spread The K... (Comp) (3 versions) Species Of The Pod Music Man Records 2000
Straight Up Detroit Shit Volume 4 (CD) Aquatic Beta Particles Electrofunk Records 2000
Tresor 2000 - Compilation Vol. 8 (CD) Species Of The Pod Tresor 2000
Annex 4 (CD) Digital Tsunami Tresor 2001
The Best Of Electro Boogie (3xCD) Bubble Metropolis Studio !K7 2001
True Spirit (Comp) (3 versions) Lost Vessel Tresor 2001
Urban Theory Presents... Meltdown (Comp) (2 versions) Andreaen Sand Dunes Urban Theory 2001
A Little Help For Your Friends (3 versions) Birth Of New Life Four Music 2002
Depth Charge 5 (CD, Mixed, Comp) Aqua Worm Hole Submerge Recordings 2002
Small Technology (CD) The Plankton Organization Sinedín Music 2002
Soul In Motion (2 versions) Journey Home Irma 2002
The Cosmic Memoirs Of The Late Great Rupert J. Rosinthrope (CD, Album, MP) Song Of The Green Whale Tresor 2002
The New Preskriptions Of Dr. Lektroluv (CD, Mixed, Comp) Funk Release Valve 541 2002
The New Preskriptions Of Dr. Lektroluv (CD, Mixed, Comp, Promo, Car) Funk Release Valve N.E.W.S. 2002
Vibrations (CD, Mixed, Comp) Intro, Wavejumper Underground Resistance 2002
Electronation - Are You Part Of It? (2xCD) Digital Tsunami Boudisque Records 2003
Lektroluv 5 (Comp) (4 versions) Black Sea 541 ... 2004
Midnight Funk Aggression (CDr, Promo, Mixed) Davey Jones' Locker Focus Media 2004
The Men You'll Never See (3 versions) Drexciyan R.E.S.T. Pri... Clone 2004
Diamond Grills (CD, Promo) Aquatic Beta Particles Diamond Grills 2005
A Bugged Out Mix By Miss Kittin (Comp) (2 versions) Lost Vessel Resist Music ... 2006
DJ-Kicks (Comp) (6 versions) Black Sea Studio !K7 2006
Electrotechno (CD, Ltd) Bata Bumps Submerge Recordings 2006
The Kings Of Techno - Part B (2x12") Sea Snake Rapster Records 2006
Tresor. Atmospheres (File, MP3) C To The Power Of X+C ... Tresor 2006
UR Mix (26xFile, MP3, Mixed) Bubble Metropolis Detroit Digital Vinyl 2006
Afrique Universelle - La Biennale Di Venezia (CD, Mixed, Promo) Drum Solo / Polymono P... Synchronic 2007
Le Mix (Comp) (2 versions) Digital Tsunami International Deejay Gigolo Records 2007
Plus Minus Null (File, MP3, Mixed, Ltd, 192) Bubble Metropolis Aeronautique 2007
Tresor Mix Vol. 3 (File, MP3) Draining Of The Tanks Tresor 2007
60 Minutes Of Semiomime (File, MP3, Mixed) The Plankton Organization The New Worck 2008
Masterpiece Created By Francois K (3xCD, Mixed, Comp, Dig) Powers Of The Deep Ministry Of Sound 2008
RA.118 (File, MP3, Mixed, Pod) Aquatic Beta Particles... Resident Advisor 2008
Tresor Mix Vol. 4 (File, MP3, Comp, Mixed) Andreaen Sand Dunes, D... Tresor 2008
Tresor Mix Vol. 5 (File, MP3, Comp, Mixed) Fusion Flats (Chaos Re... Tresor 2008
WSEX 69.9 FM - The Ghetto Booty Mix Vol. 1 (43xFile, WAV, Comp) Lardossa, Aquatic Bata... Electrofunk Records 2008
Bun-E Monthly Mixes #2 (File, MP3, Mixed, VBR) Draining Of The Tanks,... Bun-E 2009
RA.155 (File, MP3, Mixed, Pod) 700 Million Light Year... Resident Advisor 2009
Tresor Mix: Under Review (CD, Comp, Mixed) Triangular Hydrogen St... Tresor 2009
Warp20 (Box Set) (3x10", Comp + 2x10", S/Sided, Etch, Comp + CD, Mix) Black Sea Warp Records 2009
DJs In The Mix (2xCD) Bubble Metropolis, Aqu... Central Station  
Unofficial Releases:
Magic Tracks - Compiled By Juan Atkins (LP) Positron Island Not On Label 1994
Live @ Freak Out (CDr, Mixed) Antivapor Waves Not On Label 2006
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Reviews & Discussion

Review by damnzenman Aug 13, 2008
Drexciya: Techno from The Deep, very deep H20. Even though the programmers are trying to destroy all of mankind's creativity and artistic freedom, Drexciyan Tactical Seaforces have been dealing mighty blows ever since they first rose above water in 1991.

How did they rise from aquatic hibernation to wavejumping all over the world using high-tech-aquatic-sonic-waves?

By creating The greatest Techno of all time. Analogue Perfection. Innovating, futuristic, original, spontaneous, intelligently produced electronic robot funk including that ohh so important soul/love and dedication to the music, all of which only seem to reside in magical city Detroit. Thats how!

The soul of Techno died with Mr. James Stinson. Rest in Peace Mr. Stinson.

Review by Ron242 Dec 15, 2007
Drexciya is the place where i can rest my soul.
I need this because this world is too wild for me. In the water? Hahaha yeah man. I belong to the Aquazone.
Why not space? Space is great! I can only do one thing at the time you know. So we'll do this later? Yeah we will. Yes we will.

Mr. J. Stinson did not know about the hat. We do and take it off for him.
An outer-world achievement was reached. Although in his career he sadly could not fulfill the ultimate presentation. Knowing of his disease and talent we have showed our love. Within our possibilities we supported James to make sure he could reach the goals in his lifespan. The story does continue..
Review by SoulDancer Aug 11, 2004 (edited over 5 years ago)
If you consider all the labels and artists made or influenced by Detroit (Tresor, F-Communications, Luke Slater, Maurizio, Warp... to name a few), then you won't be surprised to discover that Drexciya is the underground wave that gathers the quality Techno universe. Every label with a Drexciya release on it is a good one, just have a look... UR, Rephlex, Warp, Clone, Kombination Research, Intuit-Solar, Gigolo Records, Hardwax... I'm one of the purists who think that Detroit stays the most innovative techno place, and this little list reinforce my idea.
Review by jaxxalude Dec 12, 2003
Sometimes, the death of an artist seems to be a sort of blessing in desguise, for it may turn a great but largely ignored - if not missunderstood - talent into someone finally recognised by the general public. If this will be the case with Drexciya (alias: James Stinson) it is not very certain. Truth is, however, his productions were straight ahead of their time, full of twists and turns unknown to many producers. His legacy to the techno and electro sub-genres and electronic music in general is incomensurable and is one which won't be, in my view, universally acknowledged at any time, such was the unique nature of this man's art. RIP, James Stinson!
Review by tekkno-guy Apr 29, 2003
The colored and clear copies of the Drexciya releases all were re-issued after James Stinson died. It was the record execuitives way to thank him for years of good music and imagination.
Review by V-Agent Jan 17, 2003
The things we DO know about Drexcia are this:
Originally only one member, recording out of his bedroom, first release was "Balance of Terror" on Hardwax released as 'LAM" (Life After Mutation)
The first Drexcia record was "Deep Sea Dweller " on Shockwave.
After this, other members came and went and Drexcia transcended it's original creator and became a political statement.
Review by djinsomnia Aug 12, 2002
Although they released only five EPs in their first ten years recording together, controversial Detroit techno duo Drexciya became one of the most celebrated and influential names in American experimental new skool electro and techno. One of the few groups to use electro/techno as a political tool in effecting criticism of racial inequity and inner-city recovery, Drexciya brought a wider social and aesthetic agenda to a style in which allegiance to the beat is typically the only prerequisite.

Closely associated with the "Mad" Mike Banks label group Underground Resistance and operating in the classically covert tradition of "faceless" techno (the pair's identities remain a mystery), the group's reputation at the bleeding edge of Detroit-school experimentation is pretty much universal, with everyone from Jeff Mills to Mike Paradinas getting in namechecks. Despite their steadfastly underground attitude, Drex's records have found release through such internationally renowned labels as Warp and Rephlex.

Offering an often relentless fusion of early electro and techno with elements of acid and industrial music, Drexciya's fast-beat backbone and tough-as-nails rhythmic bite are among the most austere and uncompromised in contemporary techno. Reportedly, the group record their material live, which gives much of their music (particularly their Shockwave and Underground Resistance releases) a vital, immediate feel. Much of their UR output was collected on 1997's "The Quest", and a full-length "Neptune's Lair" followed on Tresor in 1999.
The duo has now split up, and one half continues to produced under the name Transllusion.
Review by ghostfucking Mar 25, 2002
Drexciya represents the best of 'Planet Detroit' electro.
The back story of Sci-fi Myth and African American History is an amazing backdrop to America's anwser to Kraftwerk.

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