The First Lady of Detroit, real name Kelli Hand and known the world over as K-Hand, has died. The cause of death remains unknown; however, close friends of the artist have confirmed her passing. A born-and-raised Detroit legend, she was one of the most influential artists in the history of house and techno. Her career spanned more than three decades with releases that have influenced generations of ravers and peers alike.
A Paradise Garage compilation is about to be unleashed courtesy of Good For You Records, but with the understanding that the music on this release is not from the Garage era.
As the title suggests, Paradise Garage : Inspirations is a collection of music made by producers who had some kind of life-changing experience on the hallowed ground at the Garage, or, they had some kind of relationship with Larry Levan which inspired them to follow their passion for music.
The Inspirations compilation will feature the last ever Frankie Knuckles production, a project Frankie and Kenny Summit worked on with Eric Kupper, a remix of ‘You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine’ by the legendary Lou Rawls.
That’s right, a movie about the iconic New York City venue is currently in production.
Directed by Jonathan Ullman, the film will explore the history of Paradise Garage while focusing on the complicated relationship between the venue owner Michael Brody and club resident Larry Levan. Opened for ten years between 1977 and 1987, Paradise Garage is directly responsible for the foundations of dance music and its culture, allowing the early pioneers that graced its decks to innovate and push the boundaries of disco and house.
Appropriately titled Paradise Garage, the film will highlight the venue’s role as a sanctuary for its members, and especially so those of the LGBT community.
“Throughout his life Larry travelled a road that no one had taken before,” says director Jonathan Ullman “Never afraid to take chances, it was his fearlessness as a DJ and remixer that has endeared him to generations of fans around the world, including myself.” Ullman has done other work related to Paradise Garage before, namely a mini-documentary released in 2014 which you can watch below.
British actor Kobna Holdbrook-Smith will portray Paradise Garage’s Larry Levan.
H/T: Mixmag
The name Paradise Garage elicits the not-so-distant nostalgia of the glamorously raw beginnings of a musical genre known as House in the growing hustle and bustle of the electronic music scene on the streets of New York City. It all began when Larry Levan and company took to the decks of Paradise Garage in 1977 and established a melting pot of musical influence drawn from the prominence of UK garage and American discothèques at the time as well as the subversion of cultural identities in favor of the dance floor. Read more
