System 7 and Derrick May. Mysterious Traveller.
(A Wave Label)

Tracklist and MP3s (edits)

1. Altitude (Mayday remix)
2. Mysterious traveller (groovy intent mix)
3. Big sky city (mayday mix)
4. Icon (montage mix)
5. Prototype 1 (electron mix)
6. Fractal liason
7. Mysterious traveller (fire mix)
8. Big sky city (above the clouds mix)
9. E merge
10. Overview

Derrick May hasn't put his name next to much in his career, but what he has done has been pure techno gold. Mysterious Traveller features a selection of collaborations between May and fellow dons System 7 (from the UK), who are veterans at the art of psychedelic dance. From the very first undulating synth-swirls and tingling hi-hats of this album, you just know it's going to be a Detroit specialty, and it is. Spanning a selection of tracks the triumvirate have concocted over the last decade, the document swings from early 90's releases such as the scintillating "Altitude" (which opens the album), through sinewy, housier remixes such as their take on the classic "Mysterious Traveller", solo May cuts such as the beautiful "Icon" (made in 1992) and an incredibly atmospheric Mayday mix of System 7's classic "Big Sky City". There's also an indulgent but exquisite guitar/keyboard piece entitled "Fractal Liaison" but generally Mysterious Traveller is full of gorgeously tuff and twisted psychedelic techno of the finest kind--a must for all lovers of solidly constructed dance music. - Amazon Review

'Mysterious Traveller' is not so much an album as a back catalogue documenting a decade long, occasional collaboration between the UK electronic duo, System 7, and techno pioneer Derrick May. Apart from the other qualities contained here, this is definitely one for the boffins, containing such rare gems as the Mayday mix of 'Altitude' and never before released material such as 'Big Sky City - Above The Clouds mix'. The title track, 'Mysterious Traveller', appears twice in the set, making its debut in its new 'Groovy In Tent mix', an epic slab of noodling but expertly rendered tech funk. The original May mix of 'Big City Sky' is also included. A master piece in its own right, it builds from long spluttering drum lines before swelling to it's full blown emotion wrenching glory. May's Rhythim is Rhythim moniker appears on the 'Icon-Montage mix', while System 7 go it alone with the debut release of 'E-Merge'. Other new material comes in the form of the recently completed 'Prototype' - originally recorded by May and System 7 in 1990 but only finished this year. This, like most of the tracks included here, has had to travel a long way. But it's all still remarkably fresh on arrival. Dot Music review

Order a copy