Derrick May – Five Hour Set At Chinese Laundry

No other name resonates more in the techno scene that Derrick “Mayday” May. Regarded as one of the kings of the Detroit techno sound and recording either as Mayday or Rhythim Is Rhythim under his own Transmat Records label, May has carved out a new vein in dance music. This electronic music legend arranges classic Detroit tracks in a timeless fashion: frantically beat-heavy yet soulfully warm. Confident rhythms charge at your chest through an invisible spiderweb of string samples holding your consciousness captive on the dancefloor.

May recorded ‘Nude Photo’ (Transmat, 1987), credited to Rhythim Is Rhythim, which was one of the records that started the techno revolution world-wide. However, it was the release of “Strings Of Life” in 1987, which, with its wide appeal to the house music fans of the late 80s, simultaneously brought May his deserved acclaim, propelling techno music to entirely new levels and remains relevant amongst the worlds biggest DJ’s today. May was also responsible for what Carl Craig has called the finest remix ever, Sueo Latino’s “Sueo Latino”, itself a reworking of Manuel Goettsching’s epic “E2-E4”.

May’s classic tracks that include ‘Beyond the Dance’, ‘The Beginning’, ‘Icon’ and his most famous release ‘Strings of Life’ all emphasise Techno’s most crucial componant, that this is the music of machines, cold and soulless machines, but May injected and extracted so much hope, spirituality and soul from them that the result was truly inspirational. Inspiration is certainly one thing that all techno artists that came out in the wake of May’s recordings owe to him.

As well as his original production work, May’s ‘Mayday’ remix projects are also legendary. His re-workings turn average tracks into unique masterpieces, nowhere more evident than on his classic remix of pop band Dee-Lite’s ‘Wild Times’. This tune would also become a favorite of UK DJs at huge raves across the country, with its mixture of pounding hard basslines and tear rendering piano melodies, all combined with May’s trademark intricate and effect laden techno beats. May now spends most of his time touring the world as a DJ, bringing his pioneering techno sound accross the globe, and is set and ready to serve Sydney up with his most memorable performance to date!

Kick on from Krafty Kuts’ killer Garden Party performance with a 5 hour set from Derrick May + heaps more at Chinese Laundry from 7pm.

Drink specials between 7-11pm

$5 Superdrys $5 Vodka & Mixer $5 Dirty laundry Shot

FULL LINEUP:
Derrick May
Kraymer
Kato
A-Tonez
Murray Lake
King Lee
Def Tonez
Diskoriot

What: Derrick May 5 Hour Set
When: Saturday 28 April 7pm
Where: Chinese Laundry, Sydney
Price: $25 (before 11pm) $30 (after 11pm)
More Info: www.chineselaundryclub.com.au