Not only was Detroit Techno the first established underground electronic dance movement to come out of the US, but it has remained one of the most influential. In 1985, Juan Atkins (aka Model 500 and Cybotron) founded the Metroplex label. The first release on the label, No UFOs as Model 500, became the defining anthem of Detroit Techno. 25 years later, Detroit Techno artists are still packing out clubs, headlining festivals, inspiring producers and catapulting DJs into stardom across the globe. For this showcase, Decibel has assembled three important figures in the Detroit Techno movement. Kevin Saunderson, Carl Craig and Monty Luke each represent a unique progression in the development of Detroit Techno.

Carl Craig, representing the second wave, got his start working as a studio engineer for Derrick May. In 1991, Craig started his own label Planet E, which was largely responsible for defining the future sound of not only Detroit Techno, but electronic music as a whole. Like Saunderson, Craig produced and performed under a plethora of alias’, including the ground breaking Paperclip People and Innerzone Orchestra. One of Carl’s crowning achievements is his role as co-founder and creative director of the Detroit Electronic Music Festival (DEMF), which celebrated its 10th anniversary this past May.

Alongside Juan Atkins and Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson is one of the original “Belleville Three”, also known as the founding members of Detroit Techno. Possibly the most successful producer to rise out of this first wave, Saunderson has produced under seven different alias’ and was lead producer for over a dozen different groups, including Inner City, who’s 1988 classic “Good Life” remains one of the most widely respected anthems to ever come out of the Detroit Techno scene.

Lastly, Bay Area transplant Monty Luke, who now resides in Detroit, represents the current wave in Detroit Techno. As an accomplished producer and DJ for two highly acclaimed labels, Claude VonStroke’s Mothership imprint and Planet E Record, as well as Label Manager for Planet E, Luke represents the progression of Detroit Techno to a new generation.