B1. FutureTheory (MB005)

A Motor City, Berlin, London hybrid, Ryan Crosson is a complex artistic creature. Equal parts energetic, down to earth Detroit native and ultra-refined, musical aesthete, Ryan has one ear to the club and one ear far, far beyond. Known the world over for shape shifting, shoulder shaking tracks on groundbreaking labels including M_nus, Supplement Facts, Spectral, Wagon Repair, and his own Visionquest, Ryan’s production and sampling practices depart from the worlds of house or techno by referencing musique concrète, Downtown New York funk, and East African jazz. Born and raised on a steady diet of post-apocalyptic landscapes, dark warehouses, and the sounds of Plastikman, Matthew Dear, Magda, and Villalobos, Ryan’s DJ sets aim to expand the horizon of possibility without sacrificing dance music’s core element of sweaty, hedonistic fun. His unique musical vocabulary and tireless dedication insure him a place in the dynasty of forward-thinking techno transplants.

Alongside Lee Curtiss and Shaun Reeves, Ryan is responsible for the day-to-day running of Visionquest, one of dance music’s most cherished and eclectic imprints. Ryan and his partners in Visionquest have honed a whole new landscape of lush, organic techno and esoteric leftfield electronica. In 2014, Ryan oversaw the construction of Visionquest’s newest venture—their digital arm and sub-label Brachtune. Full of off-kilter, loopy and positively circus vibes, the tracks showcased on Brachtune will remind long-time friends and fans of Ryan’s early morning sets in the notorious “Tesh Club” basement.

In addition to his work with Visionquest, 2014 was Ryan’s most prolific production career yet, with a staggering number of releases on labels such as Darkroom Dubs, Mobilee, and . Highlights include Bricolage, Ryan’s hotly anticipated first EP for Visionquest, especially the labyrinthine, twisted “Club Chimes,” a heady collaboration with long-time friend and fellow Visionquest artist Cesar Merveille. The year also saw Don’t Be Left Out, a mix CD with another fellow traveler Matt Tolfrey, which has been described as “deep, diverse, and exciting all the way through.”

B1. FutureTheory (MB005)

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