Well, not much, actually. May did his best work while Reagan resided in the Oval Office. The prospect of a Derrick May show (DJ set, really; he doesn't play live) now carries the whiff of a Bo Diddley or Beach Boys concert: Musical pioneers coasting on past glories. Rarely do you see May's name arise when today's producers discuss inspirations, though his impact on the first wave of IDM cannot be overestimated. Much respect is due, of course, but one wonders if May in 2005 will be anything more than a nostalgia trip or a great artist revealing a sad out-of-touchness.
"Strings of Life" (recorded in 1987 under the name Rhythim Is Rhythim) is May's "Who Do You Love?" or "Good Vibrations": "Strings" blew Richie Hawtin's young mind and set him on his own techno journey, and it influenced loads of UK producers and helped to catalyze England's acid-house uprising, too. Now the song sounds kind of genteel, but its alien symphonics, shuffling salsa rhythm, and famously jaunty, rolling piano motif still trigger glee among old-school dance-music heads.
Stranger Personals
Another Rhythim Is Rhythim club anthem, 1988's "It Is What It Is," percolates and squelches with simultaneous optimism and ominousness. The track's soaring, luxurious synth melodies contrast with the burrowing rhythm. The subtlety, grace, and intricate beat calculus coursing through May's productions--as abundantly evident on the two-disc compilation deservedly titled Innovator--make it seem closer to classical music than the hard functionality of much techno. May's cuts can gel in a DJ set, but they also thrive in your headphones. His tracks can be--and have been--converted into Muzak, and that's a compliment, buster.
While May's hiatus from new-releases bins rivals My Bloody Valentine's, he's been far from idle since his torrid creative spurt 15-plus years ago. He DJs on six continents, runs Transmat Records, and organizes the Movement festival in Detroit (though its status is uncertain; Movement's website hasn't been updated since last June). May also exchanged remixes with System 7 (featuring prog-rock guitar hero turned techno maven Steve Hillage) on 2002's Mysterious Traveller, which doesn't sound much different from May's elegiacally melodic early recordings. Other notable accomplishments include a collaboration with Carl Craig on "Frustration" (off Craig's 1997 More Songs about Food and Revolutionary Art album) and a remix of DJ Rolando's "Jaguar" in 2000.
While there's a tendency to deify artists like May, let's not expect miracles (or even the latest Perlon 12) when he plays Seattle. He puts his wax on the tables one platter at a time, too. DAVE SEGAL
Derrick May plays with Jerry Abstract and Nordic Soul Sat Jan 22 at Chop Suey, 1325 E Madison St, 324-8000, 9 pm-2 am, 21+, $13 adv.
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