»  SUBURBAN KNIGHT aka JAMES PENNINGTON

posted by: spy on August 13th, 2008 | UNDER THE LUV_RADAR


   
Aesthetics:   7
Originality:   7

SUBURBAN KNIGHT


SAYING THAT THIS MAN NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION WOULD TRULY BE AN UNDERSTATMENT. SUBURBAN KNIGHT`S [AKA JAMES PENNINGTON AKA THE JIT / 011/ DARK ENERGY] CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WORLD OF TECHNO, HOUSE AND DANCE MUSIC IN GENERAL ARE UNEQUIVOCAL. HIS INFLUENCE ON ELECTRONIC MUSIC CAN HARDLY BE SUMMED UP IN A SIMPLE BIOGRAPHY.


As crucial figure on the outskirts of Detroit techno since the mid `80s, James Pennington`s recordings as the Suburban Knight pioneered the moodier side of the Motor City with classics like "The Art of Stalking" and "The Groove." And though he collaborated on the biggest hits to come out of Detroit, the techno-pop monsters "Big Fun" and "Good Life" by INNER CITY, he later recorded with subterranean mainstays UNDERGROUND RESISTANCE. This came about from his early days as a college party DJ alongside JUAN ATKINS, KEVIN SAUNDERSON, and EDDIE `FLASHINŽ FOWLKES going as far back as 1982. He also attended the infamous BELLEVILLE HIGH SCHOOL graduating a few years after Juan and Kevin.






And it was through his connection with another Detroit mainstay, DERRICK MAY, that Pennington began recording. May had set up his own TRANSMAT RECORDS in 1986, and Suburban Knight debuted the following year with the third release for the label, "The Groove." He had also been working then with Kevin Saunderson, and co-wrote "Big Fun" with Saunderson and ART FORREST. After vocals were added by PARIS GREY and the record was released, it became a world wide hit and virtually defined early Detroit Techno for many foreigners.


Though Pennington only released one more single for the fledging Transmat label, it was the dark classic "The Art of Stalking." The heavy reverbs and abstractly angular synths were best described as musical cubism. His marriage of dark abstraction, melody, and menacingly groovy rhythms proved to have devastating effects on the dance floor. He then went on to join the UNDERGROUND RESISTANCE camp as a producer and touring UR-Assault Squad-DJ. With the rise of Detroit`s second wave in the early `90s, Pennington became also a mentor for MIKE BANKS and the Underground Resistance crew.

 





His first vinyl offering for UR was at once a massive techno hit "Noctorbulus Behavior." Thus reassuring his status as one of techno music`s truly great pioneers. On UR he also contributed to the "Dark Energy" release and his next EP "By Night." And his tracks "Maroon" and "Moon Rays" were both undoubtedly one of the special highlights of the Underground Resistance compilation album series  "Interstellar Fugitives1& 2". James` Debut album `My Sol Dark Direction` [Peacefrog UK] was released to critical aclaim including both classics and new, unreleased productions.


Pennington has finally started his own label DARK PRINT, in which the first release "Tech-Hieroglyphics". That was a compilation of Detroit and Belgian artists including GIGI GALAXY, THE SENSE, LOCUTUS, DJ TAO, PUNISHER and TWONZ. Suburban Knight has chosen to keep his releases less frequent then some of his peers; instead keeping his releases as what he describes as "essential lessons". His performances as a DJ are no different; rare, much sought after, and not forgotten. Audiences have sought out his DJ "lessons" all over the world including: Tresor Club, Ten Days of Techno, several appearances at Love Parade, Bugged Out, The End, several gigs in Japan, also tour-travelling in Australia and Israel just to name a few. And he still continues on leaving a wake ...






More SUBURBAN KNIGHT  ::  www.myspace.com/suburbanknight

Text :: Alyssa Bernhard  _  Pics compiled by the Infiltrator

INDEX

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ART (1)
BEST OF 2007 ... (2)
CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT ... (1)
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CLASSIC(S) OF THE WEEK (1)
DETROIT IS A STATE OF MIND ... (4)
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IMPRINT ll MEDIA (1)
LONGPLAY (5)
LUVletter _ QUESTIONMARK (2)
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OLD GOLD RETOLD (3)
PLANET DETROIT (12)
RECOMMENDED EVENTS (40)
S.I.T.H._RECOMMENDED (2)
TECHNO (2)
THE ACID LIFE (2)
UNDER THE LUV_RADAR (14)
UP-N-COMING (1)

 

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