Rhythim Is Rhythim

by Jason BirchmeierAs the name under which Derrick May produced his many prototypical techno classics in the late 80s, Rhythim Is Rhythim remains one of the most esteemed guises in technos short history. Though the handful of Rhythim Is Rhythim classics are primarily the product of Mays forward-looking sense of musical creativity, it is important to remember that there were occasional contributors. Most significantly, some of Carl Craigs earliest production work appears on the Rhythim Is Rhythm tracks Drama, Kaotic Harmony, and the 1989 version of Strings of Life. In addition, Thomas Barnett and Mike James contributed to Nude Photo and Strings of Life, respectively, while D-Wynn collaborated with May for the Rhythim Is Rhythim spin-off R-Thyme (R-Theme and Illusion). Yet for the most part, it was entirely Mays gifted vision as an innovator that led to one Rhythim Is Rhythim classic after another. Beginning with Nude Photo as the first release on his Transmat label, May produced nothing but classics in his short life as a producer from 1986 to 1991. During this period, Nude Photo and the piano-driven Strings of Life, in particular, became anthems in Englands exploding late-80s rave scene. Other less anthemic songs such as Beyond the Dance (Cult Mix), It Is What It Is, and Icon (Montage Mix) were championed for their mystical sound, consisting simply of synthesizer melodies and light percussive rhythms. In 1998, May compiled the majority of his Rhythim Is Rhythim songs on the Innovator double album; unfortunately, many previously unreleased tracks appear in abbreviated form.