Search - Juan Atkins :: 20 Years Metroplex: 1985-2005

An excellent introduction to techno

J. B. Cross | Detroit, MI | 09/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a student at Wayne State University in Detroit and have been looking for albums to listen to w/the windows down while cruising down I-96. This is one of them. Juan Atkins is "The Godfather of Techno." Some of these techno tracks are 20 years old and hands down beat anything you hear on the radio or in clubs today. Old school Cybotron beats like "Clear" and "No UFO's" can be listened to and enjoyed ad nauseam. There's not a single bad track here."

This collection is truly essential

Zachary D. Dufrene | 04/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 2-disc retrospective of the techno godfather himself has been needed for some time. For the first time ever, people curious about the origins of techno have a convenient compilation of Juan Atkin's vast body of work under his aliases such as: Cybotron, Model 500, and Infiniti. I personally place Juan Atkins right up there with Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream as far as influence goes in the field of electronica & dance. With that said, this collection is truly essential!"

Metroplex: gateway to an electronic dreamscape.

Ophir | Adelaide, South Australia | 01/12/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a solid compilation of metroplex releases with the characteristic feel of the label: in some ways cold, aloof, intellectualized electronica initially but as it becomes more familiar it gains a kind of intimate and in some ways sad emotionality which paradoxically then makes it warm and comforting. It is a compilation of great historic interest really as through Cybotron and Model 500 Juan Atkins is the originator of electronic music and alot of the music on this release has served as the backbone and template for most things that have come subsequently in the genre. You can clearly hear the Kraftwerk influences. This music has a substance and integrity which much more recent techno lacks. In many ways it represents creative (and non-commercial) experimentation with very limited predecesors. If you are not familiar with the genre or with early detroit techno in general you may find this release a little inaccesable. The only reason it doesn't get a 5 star rating from me (which it deserves in terms of the quality of the music) is that most of the material has been previously issued on other compilations. When you've been a fan of this type of music for over 15 years like I have the main ingredient you are looking for is a relic from the past that you are not familiar with to recreate the magic."