Wjlb Tracks

The year was 1989, and Derrick May was at a creative peak as both a DJand producer. Under his Rhythim Is Rhythim moniker, he released astring of landmark records on Transmat, while his residency at Detroit'sThe Music Institute showcased the distinctive DJ style that would soontake him onto the international stage. Around the same time, he hosteda weekly radio show on Detroit radio station WJLB. For one of these broadcasts, May assembled a 15-minute megamix inhis studio during the week leading up to the show. He opened his radioset with this continuous mix, blending his own tracks and versions into aseamless introduction that refl ected his approach to DJing at the time. Itincludes unreleased versions of classics such as ‘Nude Photo 88’ and‘Strings Of Life’. The original WJLB master tapes have since been lost, and no official recording is known to survive. Fortunately, many listeners recorded thebroadcasts at home. One such cassette, preserved by Richie Hawtin,eventually made it our way. It has been carefully restored andmastered, with the artist’s approval.