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Juan Atkins

Apr 21

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Good morning.

It’s Friday so we’re listening to something more upbeat. Today we’re listening to Juan Atkins, an electronic music producer and DJ from Michigan. In the 1980s, Atkins along with Kevin Saunderson and Derrick May pioneered techno music in Detroit. The group was inspired by disco and house music domestically, along with the spare, futurist sound of Kraftwerk.¹ First we’re playing Atkins’ 2005 record, Berlin Sessions, a collection of techno tracks recorded at the club Tresor in Berlin. Second we’re playing a collaboration of his with German producer Moritz Von Oswald, specifically their 2016 record Borderland: Transport, which uses the tools of techno to cinematic effect. Several Atkins sets are on YouTube, including one from Boiler Room and a 2020 set at Tresor.

The Berlin Sessions - Juan Atkins (60m, no vocals)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music / Amazon Music / Tidal

Borderland: Transport - Juan Atkins (50m, no vocals)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music / ~~Amazon Music~~ / Bandcamp / Tidal

Have a great weekend.