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Kevin Saunderson is a legend in his own right, known and respected around
the World, as one of the three Artist/Producer/DJs from Detroit, who
originated Techno/House music, which helped to reshape the future of Dance
music as we know it.
Kevin was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1964, but moved at the age of nine
to the place known as the 'Motor City', Detroit. He attended Belleville
High School (West of Detroit), where his youthful urge to make music had
been fuelled, when he befriended two other like-minded students. After
leaving school he attended Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, where
he played Football. After 2 years, Kevin quit playing football in order to
pursue a musical direction, so he joined his high school pals Derrick May
and Juan Atkins, which unknown at the time would be the move that would
help Kevin's career escalate.
He started as a DJ and developed new skills that led him into producing
records, which he released on his own label, KMS Records. The demand for
his Artist/DJ/Producer derived records was overwhelming overseas, as well
as right here in the States, cities like Chicago and New York were open to
Kevin's new brand of music. He introduced acts like 'Kreem', 'Reese',
'Inter-City' (later to become Inner City) and 'Reese & Santonio'. Kevin
has many other aliases too, such as; 'Tronik House', 'The Reese Project',
'EssRay', 'Kaos' and latterly, 'E-Dancer', which he uses to show his
versatility in being able to create different facets of Dance music. Kevin
also pioneered the art of the "REMIX," changing the face of how remixers
revamp songs. His very first remix for The Wee Papa Girl Rappers "Heat It
Up" went on to pick up 'DMC Remix of the Year' in 1989.
Kevin's biggest achievement (to date) and his most commercially recognized
project; has been INNER CITY, who have come full circle after TEN years,
as one of the World's most important Dance acts. As one of the most
influential prime movers in the house and techno revolution of 1988, Kevin
Saunderson and Paris Grey have been to the top, struggled and bounced back
to the top of the pile. Now in their thirteenth year together, the duo
have proven they're one of dance's great survivors with a new dazzling
renaissance and they're justifiably proud of a healthy career spanning
early pioneering hits like "Big Fun" and "Good Life", "Ain't Nobody
Better", through to "Hallelujah", "Pennies From Heaven", "Till We Meet
Again", "Do Ya", "Your Love" (to name but a few) and most recently the
1999 Spanish re-recording of their 1989 hit "Good Life",(Buena Vida),
which soon became a Number One Club hit in Europe and entered the TOP TEN
on the UK Pop Charts. (The group's latest single, "Good Love", is also
destined for success in the UK).
Since the beginning, their career has been nothing short of remarkable not
only for their numerous critical and commercial achievements, but also for
their longevity. Whilst most acts have been snubbed out at the onset of
the 'next big trend', Inner City have managed to sidestep the trends,
making "songs that went on to become classics". Amazingly, the good life
of being one of the World's top dance groups came to them by accident.
In 1987 Kevin, then a 22 year old Detroit college telecommunications
student struggling to pass his exams and at the same time trying to make a
success of his fledgling indie record label, KMS, recorded a backing track
in a makeshift studio stuck in the basement of his apartment. He needed a
girl vocalist who could also supply lyrics and his friend Chicago house
producer, Terry "Housemaster" Baldwin, suggested Windy City Chanteuse
Paris Grey. Paris agreed, flew into Detroit, came up with lyrics and "Big
Fun" was born. Incredibly the tape was then filed away and almost
forgotten until months later when UK dance aficionado, Neil Rushton,
visited the Motor City to put together a compilation album, "Techno - The
New Dance Sound Of Detroit" for Virgin Records. He freaked when hearing
the song and made sure "Big Fun" was on the LP. Soon afterwards, it was
released as a single and went on to become a Worldwide smash. But despite
its sudden success, Paris hung on to her job as a sales assistant in a
Chicago store - only quitting when the follow up, "Good Life" even outsold
"Big Fun".
The third single "Ain't Nobody Better" retained Kevin's techno-logic
microchip feel, topped by Paris's soulful voice. Their debut album,
"Paradise" cemented this prosperity and highlighted the Detroit techno
blueprint of mesmerizing rhythms that owed more to the white European
synth groups of the 70's and early 80's, like Kraftwerk, and Depeche Mode
than to the black dance music roots of the 60's and 70's that Chicago
house and New Jersey garage related to.
In 1993, INNER CITY parted company with their label, Virgin Records and to
close the Virgin chapter, the label released the "Testament" "93" remix
album to celebrate their time together. Featuring remixes of their
best-known songs from the likes of CJ Mackintosh, Leftfield and Future
Sound Of London. It hit the stores at Easter '93 as the group toured the
UK (with THE REESE PROJECT). Also in that year they were voted, by the
readers of Mixmag Magazine, the "Best International Act of the Year" and a
"homecoming" deal with their manager Neil Rushton's SIX6 label was
finalized. Another UK Tour followed in August '93, including a headlining
appearance on the Reading Festival's dance stage and the top slot at the
European Dance Weekender in Paris the following month. It was also at this
time that Kevin's work with his other group THE REESE PROJECT was greeted
with equal glee by journalists and clubbers alike.
To date, INNER CITY have had 12 Top 40 hits in the UK, as well as having
had two Top 20 albums, with combined sales of more than 6 million. Inner
City have also achieved many awards for outstanding accomplishments, such
as being voted the 'Best Dance Act in the World' by DMC in 1989 and 1992.
Inner City have also received 4 Gold singles, 1 Gold Album and 1 Platinum
Album.
Meanwhile, Kevin's alter ego E-DANCER produces Techno Music, pure and
simple. Created for a savvy audience by an original master. E-DANCER's
first full length LP entitled simply "Heavenly" has hooked audiences and
critics alike. Even more mains-stream music publications were compelled to
take notice. For example 'Spin Magazine' cited "Heavenly" as 'ONE OF THE
TEN BEST ALBUMS YOU'VE NEVER HEARD'. Odd praise? Perhaps. But accurate
nonetheless, for rarely has a record so "underground" in both profile and
content, been so obviously rewarding for the savvy listener fortunate
enough to listen to it. Indeed, "Heavenly" is a 'Must Have' in any Detroit
Techno collection.
It is a safe bet to expect many more surprises from Kevin Saunderson in
2002. As well as the already released E-Dancer vs. Inner City single "Good
Love", there will also be a new Inner City album, a new E-Dancer album and
somewhere in between some live appearances.
Kevin has also turned his attention back to KMS Records, 14 years after
starting the label. His aim is to develop new talent and most importantly,
he will be doing what he does best, creating great music. With his new
Inner City release already receiving critical acclaim, it reaffirms
Kevin's standing as one of the 'INNOVATORS',and a leader in the industry.
For More Info: http://www.myspace.com/fusein
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