Weekend Weapons: Kevin Saunderson

Weekend Weapons: Kevin Saunderson

21 April, 2009 | 8.04AM

• Written by: Terry Church
• Filed under: Music News: kevin saunderson

Detroit techno innovator Kevin Saunderson has had a huge impact on techno and dance music. Along with his friends Juan Atkins and Derrick May, Saunderson is widely recognized as one of the originators of techno having experimented with the music in the early and mid 1980s.

Under his chart topping group Inner City, Kevin Saunderson had 12 Top 40 hits in the UK, and under his many aliases which includes E-Dancer, Reese Project, Tronikhouse, The Elevator and Kreem, Saunderson has built a reputation for being one of the most respected producers in techno.

His label KMS Records is used as a breeding ground for new talent, and he also uses it to release his own productions, most notably the recent ‘History Elevate’ series that sees new reinterpretations of his most famous work by esteemed producers (check ‘History Elevate 5’ in the player).

In June, Saunderson will be returning with his definitive remix compilation of the same name and this time the Wee Papa Girl Rappers, Cerrone, Pet Shop Boys, Hercules And Love Affair, The Presets, Octave One, Simian Mobile Disco, Inner City, Carl Craig, Mike Shannon and Luciano feature.

Beyond production and running a label, Kevin Saunderson is also a talented DJ who has been rocking mainrooms, festivals and warehouses for over 20 years.

Yet despite the history, Kevin Saunderson is not the type of DJ to release retrospective compilations of yesteryear anthems and as such his sets are always forward-thinking, as his picks for this week’s Weekend Weapons proves.

Here’s Kevin Saunderson’s Top 3 cuts of the moment.

Richard Bartz ‘Subway 2 EP’ (Kanzleramt)

Richard Bartz divine techno EP ‘Subway 2’ has been tickling Kevin recently, particularly the cleverly named but hard to pronounce ‘;)’ track.

“This is a great track to change and build the mood of a gig.

“It comes in subtly and builds nicely. When it kicks in properly it reminds me of Detroit flavors.

“It has been killing the dancefloor and it really kicks for me and most crowds.”

Julian Jeweil ‘St. Mitre’ (Skryptöm records)

When you combine air raid sirens with screaming techno synths and bleepy beats, you've got yourself a techno bomb as Kevin explains about Julian Jeweil’s ‘St. Mitre’.

“The track is working real well for me. The crowd just vibes to it.

The thing about this track is that you keep waiting for something to come and it keeps building. It keeps you wanting more and it works great when mixing in another track.”

Madame X aka Anane ‘You’re So Sweet’ (Vega Records)

Kevin is huge fan of ‘You’re So Sweet’ which features Louie Vega’s wife Anane on vocals. It’s a bit minimal, a bit vocal house, and a bit techno.

“This track is bad! It’s got minimal sounds but just kicks. I like the way it’s arranged and builds.

“This one is probably my biggest record right now!”

I interviewed Kevin Saunderson back in 2007. Click here to read it.

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• Get Kevin Saunderson 'History Elevate 5'