DJ K-1 (Aux 88) Mix for EPM

Been catching up on the EPM Podcasts since Ben Sims delivered an epic mix a few months back. Stoked to see the latest one coming from DJ K-1 of Aux 88 fame though, a nice session that sees him busting through a set comprised of originals – a lot unheard and unreleased – and remixes from the duo’s impressive catalogue. Incidentally if you’ve not checked the collaborative based Black Tokyo album from last year it’s worth getting on to.

There’s a full interview and Q&A up with the man up here, where you can also get at the iTunes podcast links if you fancy the download. Samurai.fm stream embedded below, along with some proper info on Aux 88 and their contributions over the last 20 years.

via EPM

Following Bonzai All Stars EPM now brings you an AUX-hilarating new mix from DJ K-1 (aka Aux 88’s Keith Tucker). Featuring a career defining selection of Keith Tucker’s K-1, Aux 88, Auxmen, Black Tokyo and Optic Nerve productions, unreleased tracks and remixes from Ellen Allien, Arne Weinberg, DIE, Mr. Velcro Fastener, Gosub, Niko Marks and N-ter this is a pure Detroit journey spanning the evolution of the Motor City’s love affair with electro and techno.

Detroit DJs and producers, in their unique ability, strive to progress into the future by putting a little of themselves into each track. This ability allows some to feel a special vibe that produces visions of the future by embracing the past. Keith Tucker, an artist and DJ, has captured this vision in his recordings. As co-founder of AUX-88, and also known as DJ K-1, Alien FM, KT-19941, and his (Alter Ego) futuristic movie score sounds of Optic Nerve he has maintained his unique vision of Motor City electro as viewed through the Motor City funk prism.

In 1985, Tucker, Tommy Hamilton and Tony Horton formed RX-7, a local Detroit techno band. They performed hits by such groups as Cybotron, Kraftwerk, and the Soul Sonic Force as well as unreleased original tracks. The band played at local events in and around the city of Detroit but wanting to pursue personal projects, the band decided to disband a year later. Starting out in Classical Music during his grammar school years, Tucker went on to learn music sequencing. He also pursued a College career in Technical Illustration, Computer Graphics, and Mechanical Engineering. This in turn with a love of Classical Music has helped him to appreciate music as an art form.

Tucker later received a response from Metroplex Records; Juan Atkins’ label, and signed as Frequency. Under this alias, Tucker and Jessie Anderson recorded such tracks as, “Television,” “Frequency Express,” and “New Jack House.” In September 1992, while working on new tracks for Metroplex Records, Tucker received a visit from Tommy Hamilton. They brought their experiences together to form AUX88, and found that their music talents had matured since the early 1980s. Using their Detroit Techno background, the two quickly accumulated a mass of new tracks that had a brand new vibe. This futuristic blend of electro, bass and trance soon became known as ‘Techno Bass’. In 1992 the first single, “Technology,” transmitted by Direct Beat/430 West, immediately over took the Detroit club scene. “When we heard the tune, we knew the guys had made it in Detroit, for Detroit, so that’s where we released it, DETROIT,” exclaimed Lawrence Burden of 430 West Records.

Tucker then decided to pursue his alter ego solo projects Alien FM, Optic Nerve and KT-19941 on PUZZLEBOX Records (co-owned by Tucker and Wanda Dixon). In May of 2000, Detroit was host to the largest free Electronic Music Festival (DEMF) in the world. Tucker brought together old and new artists to form RX-7 again for the festival. And it was here that AUX88, XILE, Black Electric, and Optic Nerve performed on one stage for the first time.

This visionary from Detroit has brought his unique brand of dance music to the awaiting ears of the world since 1990 and now over 20 years later he currently concentrates on his renewed musical kinship with Tommy Hamilton as the reformed, original AUX88 duo a well as new techno incarnation Aux 88 presents Black Tokyo. The electro ‘Mad Scientists’ are back!

Aux 88 – ‘Real To Reel (Ellen Allien Remix)’ (Puzzlebox Records)
Aux 88 – ‘If Am Was FM’ (Transient Force)
Aux 88 – ‘Stance’ (Puzzlebox Records)
AS1 – ‘Visitors – Not alone chant (Aux 88 Remix)’ (Transient Force)
Aux 88 – ‘Shadow Dancing (Original Mix)’ (Puzzlebox Records)
Optic Nerve – ‘Celestial (Deep Space Remix)’ (Puzzlebox Records)
Aux 88 – ‘Winter in Japan (Detroit Techno Mix)’ (Puzzlebox Records)
Aux 88 – ‘Electronic Cinema (Arne Weinberg Mix)’ (Puzzlebox Records)
Optic Nerve – ‘Anomoly’ (Diametric Records)
Optic Nerve – ‘Techno Blvd Groove’ (Puzzlebox Records)
K-1 – ‘Technicolor (K1 club Mix)’ (Puzzlebox Records)
Aux 88 – ‘Space Satelites (Black Tokyo Mix)’ (Echoism)
Aux 88 – ‘Alias (Original Mix)’ (Puzzlebox Records)
Auxmen – ‘Condor’ (Puzzlebox Records)
Aux 88 – ‘Exterrestrial Time Travelers- (Gosub Remix)’ (Puzzlebox Records)
Optic Nerve – ‘Elements’ (Diametric Records)
K-1 – ‘K-1 Theme (Dj Mix)’ (Puzzlebox Records)
Aux 88 – ‘Annihilating Rythm- (DIE Remix)’ (Puzzlebox Records)
Aux 88 – ‘Exsterterestrial Time Travlers (Original Mix) ‘ (Puzzlebox Records)
Aux 88 – ‘Control Panels (DJ Xed remix)’ (Puzzlebox Records)
K-1 – ‘Techno Is on MY Mind’ (Puzzlebox Records)
Optic Nerve – ‘Off To See The Wizard’ (Puzzlebox Records)
Optic Nerve – ‘Deep Space (Puzzlebox Records)
Aux 88 – ‘Black Tokyo (Niko Marks Remix)’ (Puzzlebox Records)
Aux 88 – ‘Mad Scientist (Original Mix)’ (Puzzlebox Records)
Optic Nerve – ‘Virtual Depth Perception (Vocal)’ (Diametric Records)
Aux 88 – ‘Time Portal (N-ter Remix)’ (Puzzlebox Records)
Aux 88 – ‘Interstellar Travel Theme (Mr Velcro Fastner Mix)’ (Puzzlebox Records)