Eddie Fowlkes is part of the history of Detroit techno and not just because his hand-prints are cemented in the Detroit Historical Museum’s “Legends Plaza.” His 30+ years of DJing, producing, moving dance floors and his 150+ deep catalogue of soulful classics speak for themselves. After attending a 1978 Charivari party with his older sisters, where he saw DJ Darryl Shannon mixing records, Eddie requested a mixer for Christmas. From that time on, he mastered the art of DJing, leading to his first release in 1986. That release came about on Metroplex Records, with “Goodbye Kiss,” helping to establish what would come to be known as Detroit techno. In the 1980s, he performed with three turntables, a mixer, wah-wah pedal and the 808 & 909 drum machines.
That revolutionary style of DJing pushed the boundaries of what a disc jockey could be. In 1993, Eddie Fowlkes coined a name for his distinct sound: Techno Soul. Techno Soul is Detroit techno and Chicago house sounds mixed together – Eddie’s DJ sets reflect his productions that are an evolution in one track, from house to techno, and back again. Eddie has many recordings and remixes on major labels and independents (Elektra Records, Sony, BMG, Warner Brothers, Azuli, Tresor, P.I.A.S), dating back to 1989.
With this in mind, Eddie was kind enough to share some of his party highlights from the last 14 months…
Movement Festival 2018
Main stage lineup, Sunday
I had a great time with my crew Loco Dice, The Martinez Brothers and John Digweed. The weather was very hot this year at the festival but I pulled off a great set for 2 hours.
Always a well-organised event—thank you Paxahau!!!
Output Club Rooftop, New York, August 2018
I’ve been playing here for the last 5 years in a row, sometimes twice a year. Very well-organised club, sound system is top of the line, indoors and outdoors. Here I am hanging out with the crew from Output, and the hottest movie director, Jake Macaffee, from Detroit.
Paris, September 2017.
Me and Blake Baxter playing b2b. A great night; we played straight Detroit techno for 2 hours, from old Detroit style to new Detroit style music, after a blazing set from Dennis Ferrer.
Tresor.Berlin. June 2018.
One Circle Party, Detroit to Berlin. I’m the closing act on the last day with other Detroit artists: Underground Resistance, Juan Atkins, Mark Ernestus and John Collins.
909 Festival, Amsterdam. June 2017
The 909 festival consists of 2 areas. One holds 3,000+; the other 7,000. I did the Technosoul set at the 3,000+ stage with Derrick Carter and Laurent Garnier coming behind me. Jeff Mills closing out the big stage with a hard Detroit Techno set.
Keep up-to-date with Eddie Fowlkes on Facebook, Soundcloud and Resident Advisor
The post Tour Guide – Detroit Techno Soul Eddie Fowlkes picks his recent tour highlights including Movement Festival, Tresor, Output NYC and more appeared first on Decoded Magazine.