Kenny Larkin - Metaphor (1995)

Together with such notables as Jeff Mills, Carl Craig, Derrick May and Richie Hawtin, though less widely known, Kenny Larkin is is one of the chief innovators of Detroit's so called 'second wave' of techno producers. Hawtin was a good friend of Larkin's, whereas Craig has done a fair amount of work together with him. Larkin's debut Azimuth, on Warp Records in U.K., was an instant success. I've never heard it, so I can't say anything about it myself. Then in November 1994 in Detroit he was shot in the abdomen by two unknown assailants - a shocking experience that nonetheless did not stop him from releasing Metaphor (R&S Records in Belgium, now defunct) a short while later, and beginning a massive touring project only two weeks after his release from hospital.

Metaphor is filled with beautiful, soulful synthpad sounds, funky basslines and great drum programming. I gave this album to a friend for his birthday years ago, and I still hit myself on the forehead for not having kept it myself. :-D Even after ten years, the music is lovely to listen to, so warm and luscious. An ultimate feel-good techno release, it counters much of the mechanical, emotionally "hard" techno that was -and still is- being created across the globe. Metaphor was nominated for best electronic album of the year in Keyboard Magazine. In his hometown, Metro Times voted Larkin ‘Best Techno Artist of The Year’ at its yearly music awards. Without a doubt one of the finest techno/house releases of 1995.

Kenny Larkin has also released albums on his own Art of Dance label under the “Dark Comedy” moniker. Moreover, he is supposed to release another great techno album somewhere this summer (2006), called Keys, Strings, Tambourines. If I can spare myself a few euros next months, I think I'll be on the lookout, prowling the night streets for that hmmm warm bass beat...

posted by Paxjorge @ Tuesday, July 11, 2006