Some Words From Our Man
2007-10-04 by P RiceModel 500 – Be Brave
This track is a bit of a Model 500 rarity in that it features vocals. This makes it reasonably unusual for Detroit techno in general, and even moreso because the vocals are provided by the artist himself – Magic Juan. I’m feeling a little wooly headed this morning after having indulged in a few drinks last night and these soothing chords and warm bass tones (this is not one for your computer speakers) are just what I’m craving. I think I’ll need to follow Juan’s advice and be brave to make it through my working day.
I love the fact that the three founding fathers of Detroit techno – Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson – all went to the same school. This must make Belleville High School one of the most important schools in the history of music. The Alpha Boys School in Jamaica, which schooled numerous Ska and Reggae musicians, must also be in with a shout. It was during his years as a pupil at Belleville High school that Juan Atkins was inspired by the radio shows of DJ Charles ‘Electrifyin’ Mojo’ Johnson. His shows sound amazing but I haven’t managed to track any recordings down. Anyone out there got any clues?
Download MP3 (0:00min / 0MB)
Comments 
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Oh MY! Just the mention of "The Electrifying Mojo" gives me shivers! As a little girl growing up in Detroit, I used to tune into his show wearing headphones with the volume turned down really low, afraid to get caught by my parents…He played alot of Prince (apparently they were friends) and Parliament…being so young at the time I knew I shouldnt be listening to the dirty lyrics! I remember that the show would start with this big, spacey intro about "The landing….of….the MOTHERSHIP" and then would launch into some serious funk…I would be so interested to hear these shows again!
nice one the p rice! just back from berlin, long journey home, and am so in the mood for this… :)
had a superb time chilling around town, and as hoped, caught jeff mills at the new tresor. it was great- enjoyed classics like "seawolf" and "the extremist" and a particularly mashed up version of strings of life at the end. He was playing in the upstairs "batterieraum" and finished about 5, at which point we went down to tresor proper. Amazing. long corridor with strip strobe lights (sort of) marking the way to the underground techno bunker. It's about twice the size of the original tresor but still just as intense and pounding. A sweaty cavern with strobes, red lights and subterranean air that is totally aquivver with techno bass. When we got in they were playing the "wood thump" mix of quoth, that lfo vs fuse track got dropped, along with a bunch of extremely minimal stompers. "viel spass", as they say…
Am pleased to report that the techno heart of europe is still beating as strongly as ever :)
speaking of techno and old radio shows, I just found these jeff mills mixes from the late '80s, before he went to Berlin, when he went by "the wizard" on WDRQ radio over at detroit techno militia- EXTREMELY old school
http://www.detroittechnomilitia.com/main/content/view/261/0/
http://www.detroittechnomilitia.com