For the Seventh episode of There Is No Planet Earth Stories, I’m joined by guests Chez Damier & Alton Miller, representing stories from Detroit. This episode is a special feature on the history and background of the iconic and foundational Detroit nightclub: The Music Institute.

“ The Music Institute, a Black-owned club in the heart of downtown Detroit, emerged as a pivotal player in the rise of the city’s Dance Music and Youth Culture. For a fleeting 18 months, The Music Institute was more than just a club. It became a creative sanctuary for pioneering artists, and a host of influential DJs and producers. They didn't just play music; they created a revolutionary movement that echoed far beyond Detroit's borders. Today, the legacy of The Music Institute is not just a memory of Detroit; it's a chapter in the history of Dance Music worldwide. This club didn't just witness history; it made it, securing its place in it’s evolution and in it’s cultural fabric”

“Tucked away in Detroit's vibrant heart, The Music Institute has earned its place as a cornerstone in the history of dance and electronic music. Founded in the late 1980s by Detroit's own George Baker and Alton Miller, along with Chicago's Anthony Pearson, better known as Chez Damier, this iconic venue quickly rose to prominence as a hub of musical innovation during one of the most difficult economic times in Detroit’s history.

The Music Institute wasn't just another club; it emerged due to the economic climate, the struggles and was where artists and music lovers gathered to forge a sound and a culture that would leave its mark on music worldwide. It was Detroit's answer to the legendary house and disco clubs of its era, like New York’s Paradise Garage, Chicago’s Music Box, and Toronto’s Twilight Zone. The club stood as a beacon of creative energy, a place where collaboration, expression, diversity and creativity flourished.

Operating from midnight to the early hours, with a members-only policy and a strict no alcohol and drugs rule, the club set the stage for many of dance and electronic music's most influential DJs and artists. It was more than a club; it was a movement, leaving an indelible impact on the world of music”

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For the Sixth episode of There Is No Planet Earth Stories, I'm joined by guest DJ Garth representing stories from San Francisco. We discuss a range of topics including his formative clubbing experiences in the English Raregroove & House music scenes , the early 90's San Francisco rave scene, and the origins and evolution of rave institution: Wicked.

"First of the Wicked crew to call San Francisco home, Garth has
spent the past three decades fanning the flames of conscious hell-
raising in California.

His sound is a unique fusion of Acid House and Psyche Disco.
He has produced more than 60 records mostly on his own
labels Grayhound, Wicked and Golden Goose and remixed
everyone from Strafe, The Units, Tribe Called Quest, Faithless,
Perry Farrell, Yabby You and Adam Freeland.

Bringing UK sound system culture to San Francisco in 1991,
Wicked’s lawless full moon beach parties ushered in an era of
rave hysteria that ripped through the west coast and spread into
the heartland. Their packed club nights showcased the cream of
early House music luminaries including first ever west coast
appearances of Harvey, Francois K, Joe Claussel and many
others. For years Garth and crew toured the U.S. in a
customized 1947 Greyhound bus with imported Turbosound
system. Garth was first to set up renegade sound at Burning
Man and Reggae on the River festivals.

In 2016 Time Out NY placed Garth and Wicked crew in the Top
10 Best House DJs of all time alongside Frankie Knuckles, Ron
Hardy, Masters at Work and Tony Humphries.
Garth stays true to the original art form playing marathon vinyl
sets at clubs and festivals around the world. His monthly For
The Record internet broadcast keeps him in shape. He is also
an accomplished TV and film actor."

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For the fifth episode of There Is No Planet Earth Stories, I’m joined by guest Abbie Adams representing stories from New Jersey. We discuss a range of topics including her formative experiences in the New York clubs of the 70’s & 80s, the origins and evolution of Movin records, Tony Humphries, Zanzibar, and the House sound of New Jersey.

“As one of the prominent, iconic women in the Dance Music business, Abigail Adams’ critical role in the development of New Jersey’s Essex County-centered dance music industry continues to impress upon the new crop of DJ’s, remixers, producers, record labels and recording artists. Abigail began her career in the Dance music arena via her DJ boyfriend, KB. In the early 1980’s, they owned a custom roller skating store Movin’ Skates in East Orange, NJ.

By the mid 1980’s, through her friendships with now legendary DJ’s such as Timmy Regisford, Larry Levan (RIP) and Tony Humphries, her knowledge of recording artists and their discographies grew rapidly. Movin’ Records became THE most influential record shop in the Dance music scene in NJ.

It was Abigail’s relationship with DJ Tony Humphries of Club Zanzibar who was also one of the leading DJ’s on NYC’s 98.7 KISS-FM mastermix show and the club’s former manager, Shelton Hayes, had unknowingly created a unique marketing strategy that catapulted many undiscovered artists into dance world stardom. The birth of Movin’ Records, the label was a natural progression for Abigail due in part to the exploding dance music culture. The Movin’ Records catalogue is full of some of genre’s forthright artists, producers & remixers such as Vicky Martin, Kenny Bobien, Cassio Ware, Boyd Jarvis, Intense, Kerri Chandler, Marshall Jefferson, DJ Pierre, Ce Ce Rogers, Blaze, Larry Patterson and Tony Humphries.

Abbie’s career has crossed decades and her musical ear has impacted many as her influence continues today. She has been featured recently in publications such as Faith Fanzine, and Lady of House - Stories of Women in Dance Music complied by Laila McKenzie and Ian Snowball. "

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