Various - Techno! The New Dance Sound Of Detroit

This compilation was concieved and put together by Neil Rushton (later owner of the Kool Kat/Network labels), and was originally going to be called " The New House Sound Of Detroit" and was only changed after Juan Atkins brought in the tune ' Techno Music' that the title was changed.
They actually had trouble finding tracks for the album that were good enough, and fitted the vibe, and nearing the release were still 2 tracks missing. Derrick May recorded 'ItIs What It Is' especially for this album (although he later released in on Transmat). They were still one tune short when Kevin Saunderson brought in a box full of tapes of tracks he'd made, 'Big Fun' was in there, and the rest is history.

This is an important album for anyone interested in the history of techno, as well as the direction of Detroit. While so many of you in Europe & the rest of the world recognize its signifigance, here in America it is still so unknown that I found this album in a bin at a second-hand clothing store for $0.25 (£0.14)

B-Bax does shine on this album, & it makes me wonder why he, like ADT, still ended up like a little brother to the Belleville Three. Saunderson is also excellent, especially Electronic Dance & Big Fun. If his sound were dated, he would not continue to be at the forefront today.

Once again, this compilation is great, especially the Blake Baxter tracks... I don't think they are underproduced, the production standards nowadays are far better than 1988. Despite there are hits like "Big Fun" it contains more funk than the most recent output from detroit. Oldskool detroit in all his directions rules, it's strenght is definitely being creative and made with spirit in spite the lack of proper production equipment...

Second that one more time. But I have to add that besides the tracks done by derrick may under his rhythim is rhythim and a tongue & d groove monikers, there isn´t much of interesting stuff on it. I mean, the tracks by Juan are definitly not his best work, and the stuff by blake baxter is a bit underproduced, the sound is far from good or fresh. Also most of the kevin saunderson stuff on here sounds a bit dated, especially the track electronic dance. Still very much a classic and essential in any techno collection whatsoever.

First ever techno compilation that started everything here in Europe. This is one of those essential albums of the last two decades. Hunt it down!