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Delano Smith
Charles Martin
The Phenomenal Handclap Band
Rose Corps
Kike Mayor
Jessie Calistri
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Of the original crop of Detroit DJs, Delano Smith is one of the few still dedicated to the craft. Reflecting on house and techno without his influence would reveal a very different musical landscape today. Coming up when the world was just discovering the impact a DJ could have, Delano traversed his way to the top in a tough scene full of talent.

Delano’s story is long and intriguing, first taking to the decks in friends’ basements, these weekend sessions turned into the dance hall parties that paved the way for Delano’s residencies at clubs across Detroit. Championing permutations of the post-Disco era, a sound described by the D’s luminaries as “progressive” before house and techno were officially coined, Delano began to receive bookings beyond his home state, eventually touring what would become a familiar axis between the US and Europe.

Comparatively late to production, Delano started releasing his own music in earnest from 2002 onwards, finding homes on esteemed underground labels and of course on his own Mixmode imprint. In 2009 Delano formed a pivotal relationship with the Berlin based Sushitech Records, following a chance meeting with label head Yossi Amoyal, the setting Panorama Bar, a club that would later help define Delano’s musical direction.