It seems impossible to imagine the music scene of Detroit without Mike Huckaby. The industrious DJ, producer, sound designer and lecturer may not enjoy as much exposure as Motor City’s big names, but his influence has nevertheless been crucial throughout the past two decades. Huckaby’s debut singles “Deep Transportation Vol. 1” (1995) and “Deep Transportation Vol. 2” (1996) on Rick Wade’s Harmonie Park label are widely considered to be deep house classics and with his recent releases on Tresor he’s actively trying to keeping the Berlin-Detroit axis alive. He also works for the Detroit-based non-profit organisation Youthville, teaching teenagers how to use music production software.
How did you choose the tracks for the mix? Did you have a certain concept in mind?
I decided to create two hours of pure deepness for this podcast. I rely heavily on my record collection to create a podcast. I chose records that could stand the test of time within a mix. Whats a man to do if you cant rely on your own record collection to pull you through? New music is critical, and completely needed for the survival of house music. However, I just don’t adhere to the music of the past being disposable. I play what I want to play, and I play what I feel. The two are linked interchangeably.
Where and how did you record the mix?
On two turntables, and all vinyl at home.
2012 has already been a strong year for you in terms of releases, with two 12″s on your own label SYNTH and one on Tresor. What are you up to next?
I just finished a up a remix project for Delano Smith on Sushitech. Carl Craig will have a mix on the other side. Other than that, I’m steadily doing gigs, remixes, workshops, teaching and sound design on a continuous basis. Im also meticulously working on a second “My Life With The Wave” EP, for which I once again only used sounds generated with a Waldorf Wave synthesizer.
1. Moodymann – Long Hot Sexy Nights – KDJ
2. The Bucketheads – Little Louie Bonus – Henry Street Music
3. Paul Johnson – Welcome To The Warehouse – Dancemania
4. Trouble Men – Money Makes You Crazy – Kif
5. Freedom – Closer – Power Music
6. Slikk Tim – My Life Is Underground 009 – Promo only
7. Chez Damier – Never (Pepe Bradock Rmx)
8. Balo – Only You – Tribal America
9. Fini Dolo – Heartbeat – People Records
10. Konfusion Kidzz – Remember – Prescription
11. Ernie – Soul Of The Night – Minuendo Records
12. Kerri Chandler – Stratosphere – Madhouse Records
13. Titiyo – Back And Forth (MAW Rmx) – Arista
14. Rootstrax – Harlequin (808 Dub) – Deeply Rooted House
15. Jill Scott – Spring Summer Feeling (Ron Trent Remix)
16. Trinidadian Deep – Sweetness You Bring – Neroli
17. Ron Trent – Sweetness – Electric Blue
18, Franck Roger – Tell Me – Franck Roger Production
19. Ron Trent – Happiness – Need To Soul
20. Boobjazz – Midnight Ceremony – STIR15 Recordings
21. Michael Waterford – My Love (Acapella)
