Rhythim Is Rhythim – The Beginning

Don't want to get caught up in the discussions about what Derrick did or didn't produce, but had a question about the Carl Craig co-writer credit on this.

The 1992 Transmat release (and the subsequent Transmat Classics reissue) state that Carl co-wrote 'Salsa Life'.

However other releases state that Carl co-wrote 'Drama' instead. Examples below:

Rhythim Is Rhythim - The Beginning released by Kool Kat in 1990
Derrick May - Innovator released by Sony in 1996
Derrick May - Innovator released by Transmat in 1997

Does anyone know categorically whether Carl co-wrote 'Salsa Life' or 'Drama'?

The Beginning. An escalation of a multi dimensional world. Exquisite sounds are felt as soon as the music starts. The complex rhythmic part and the hypnotic synth loop are a sort of an introduction of what is about to come: the deepest feelings. The counterpoint between that bass and the pads, reinforced by the drums, the things that makes the existence a blessing.

Salsa Life does it for me, did not realise until recently it was written by Carl Craig

'The Beginning' is a masterpiece.

Random fact:The track Emanon, is noname spelt backwards.

Peace out.

In keeping with some other comments here, I also feel this marked the peak of May's powers, the Beginning was simply like no other track at that time, it brought so many influences together, and went on to influence countless producers in the "intelligent techno" scene. Unfortunately, it went over most DJs heads, they didn't have a clue what to do with it, but, 23 years later, it still blows the majority of new techno releases away. Overall, easily my favorite Rhythim Is Rhythim release, Emanon and Drama are classics, and the quirky Latin infused Salsa Life offers a fresh perspective on "Strings."

'The Beginning' was, unfortunately, the last of the May inovations, but what a track, I honestly don't think any Detroit producer has pushed further since, even after all these years, it kind of marked the end of an era for me, things started getting predicatable after this. People need to appreciate how fucking whacked out that tune was on release, relative to other techno at the time it was from another dimension - a lot guys couldn't even figure out how to get into it from another record, "uhh, exactly where is the downbeat?"

For me 'Drama' is one of the most amazing and emotional pieces of techno that I've ever heard. Those synth & bass lines are just so soulful, and the perfectly produced 4/4 beats are just the icing on the cake. I must have listened to this tune about 30 or 40 times the day that I discovered it, and to me, even 17 years on it still doesn't sound the least bit dated. Just a shame that I'll probably never have the opportunity to hear it played in any clubs in my area.

I want this tune played at my funeral!

The Beginning was a new direction for Derrick and didn't receive the credit it should have. This was because people weren't use to big intro's and consequently Derrick released no new material until the Buzz releases in '92..The Promo release with the blue label and blank gold label on side B (apart from the matrix no. MS-15) is an elusive record and highly sought after. A 15 minute version of Emanon (which wasn't included on the tracklisting) was also written and appears on an unreleased Derrick may tape along with a completley different mix of Salsa Life.

Truly innovative. After that amazing techno, swirling intro comes a thudding bass-line with a real dynamic rhythim. Things get even better. The second bass-line stands on its own even today. I don't think there's anything else like it anywhere. 'Bugging' is the only word I can give as a description; you'll just have to listen to it. It closes with a real piece of frenzied beats. Derrick was way ahead of his time.

Transmat released a magazine called 'merger' if you subscribed your were sent a Transmat 12". 'The Begining' was my free copy and it was signed in gold marker pen across the label by Derrick May.