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Concert reviews Music

Derrick May is still one of techno’s most distinctive DJs

DERRICK MAY with BASIC SOUL UNIT at 170 Spadina, Saturday, October 1. Rating: NNNN


Techno wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the groundbreaking work of Detroit’s Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, and Juan Atkins (often referred to as the Belleville Three). The high school friends established the name and form of the genre in the 80s, and while it has mutated countless times since that era, their original blueprint is still at the core. That rich history is likely why promoters Apollo Inc. and Balance called their presentation of Derrick May Innovations, and the grimy raw warehouse space was a perfect fit for the vibe.

Toronto’s Basic Soul Unit warmed up the crowd expertly, putting a bit more focus on his own Detroit influences, with a touch of soulful house. His own productions have been getting a lot of love lately, and he’s emerging as one of Toronto’s more promising talents in the underground dance music world.

May wasted no time getting into his zone once he took over the decks. Considering how influential a figure he is, it’s always impressive how distinct his DJ style still is. There are few others who approach mixing this style of music the way that he does, aggressively teasing songs with crossfader jabs, and chopping up tracks with rapid fire staccato volume cuts. It’s almost closer to how a hip-hop DJ works, but without the scratching.

Early in his set he dropped a bunch of big classic anthems to get the energy level up, but once the crowd was sufficiently hyped up he moved more towards deeper sounds. He understands that he needs to strike a delicate balance between referencing the early roots of the genre while also avoiding the retro-techno trap. Thankfully, his decades of experience behind a mixer have given him an impeccable sense of pacing, and he effortlessly took the dance floor on a trip through the eras, while still feeling appropriately futuristic. 

benjaminb@nowtoronto.com | @benjaminboles

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