From the Oct 21 – Oct 27, 2004 issue

Music

BEATSEEKING MISSIVES

DERRICK MAY

by Dave Segal

You go months without any music legends playing Seattle, then two show up in one week. It's crazy. But we're not complaining. Afrika Bambaataa and Derrick May within three days? Bring 'em on. Unless you live in Europe, your chances of seeing Detroit techno-innovator Derrick May DJ are as remote as witnessing Dubya wax eloquent off the cuff.

Why should you be excited about a Derrick May DJ set? Even though I grew up in the Detroit area, I've never seen the man spin, but the two opening acts for this date--ex-Motor City/current local DJ-producers Jerry Abstract and Nordic Soul (AKA Sean Horton)--have seen him behind the decks and can testify to his prowess there.

"I saw May DJ at one of the first warehouse parties I went to back in '92 and he floored me," recalls Horton. "I wasn't much of a dancer up until that point, [but] May had me sweatin'. May is by far my favorite DJ on the planet. His trademark fusion of soul, techno, and jackin' house has been whipping dance floors into a frenzy for over a decade, and it still works without failure."

Abstract remembers, "I first witnessed May at 1315 Broadway in 1991 where he was playing 3:00 a.m. sets to a tiny room packed full of dancin' fiends. But I'd have to say my favorite set was at the Velvet Lounge in Pontiac one Sunday night where he was rockin' DATs of new Transmat material."

As has been exhaustively documented in books like Dan Sicko's Techno Rebels and Simon Reynolds' Generation Ecstasy, and in films like Iara Lee's Modulations, May (AKA Rhythim Is Rhythim and Mayday) was part of the so-called Belleville Three of techno pioneers along with Juan Atkins and Kevin Saunderson. The trio, who rose to prominence in the mid-'80s, aimed to conjure a new music blending Parliament-Funkadelic's soul with Kraftwerk's streamlined rhythms; in the process, they forged a spiritually potent and sonically galvanizing sound that served as a glittering spaceship out of the post-industrial wasteland their hometown had become in the '80s.

"I really enjoy the techno funk he portrayed in both his productions and DJing," says Abstract. "[It's] very freeform, but not too wild, and I [also] enjoy his high-hat rhythms, choice of kick drums, and snare/claps."

As the two-disc compendium Innovator proves, May excels at weaving gorgeous string arrangements over rhythmically intricate, melodically uplifting foundations. He brought a rarefied virtuosity to electronic music that prompted many to call him the Miles Davis of techno. Some day--if it isn't happening already--there'll be university courses devoted to May's music. You have the privilege of attending a rare Derrick May seminar at Chop Suey. Pay attention people, there may be an exam. DAVE SEGAL

Derrick May plays with Jerry Abstract and Nordic Soul Sat Oct 23 at Chop Suey, 1325 E Madison St, 324-8000, 9 pm-2 am, 21+, 9 pm-2 am, 21+, $13 adv.

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