Rhythim Is Rhythim - Icon / Kao-Tic Harmony

This introspective piece from Derrick May is easily one of the greatest techno tracks of all time...Complex yet precise; soulful yet symphonic; gritty yet beautiful...THE DEFINITIVE TRACK TO HAVE if collecting early Detroit Techno from the late 80's-early 90's...

I believe he wrote this track just after he broke up with his girlfriend. You almost wish that more relationships would end from time to time to create beauty like this.

I really wonder myself why was this single released only in 1996, if the tunes were created in 1991? That’s the question that will remain on our minds…
‘Rhythim Is Rhythim - Icon / Kao-tic Harmony’ single is an absolutely essential chapter on the history of Techno. Both of the tunes are not only timeless, but represent a bolder, wilder and much more challenging perspective of Techno music composition.
It’s not difficult to imagine Carl Craig with Derrick May behind the harmony’s chaotic sounds. Through their music from the end of eighties to the early nineties, they both brought a dimension for Techno never heard before.
While “Icon” has a more Sci-Fi approach with electronic effects, simulated bongos and an emotional, mellow synth pad atmosphere, “Kao-Tic Harmony” brings a complete break of paradigms through a mixture of influences between the chords’ improvisations that almost instantly reminds us of Jazz, a growing sequence of notes of soulful-introspective climax, a rhythm influenced by Caribbean Salsa flavors (more than evident on the hi-hats) and the futuristic synthesizer timbres.
Through these tunes, Derrick May (and Carl Craig) transformed the World of Electronic music into great art. Their creation, completely 'ahead-of-its-time', apply to something different, avant-garde driven, complex and almost impossible to define. Welcome to Techno.

I won't deny the sheer beauty of this release but the 'Montage Mix' which appears on the Virtual Sex LP is even more perfect than the original version.

Derrick May should be writing film scores...music like this needs to be given visuals to compliment how emotional this track is! Techno simply doesn't get better than this!