Paradise
At a glance
- Artist
- Inner City
- Released
- 8 May 1989
- Label
- 10 Records
- Catalogue number
- 409 608-630
- Format
- Cassette
- Tracks
- 10, 41:01
In the issue
It carried Detroit techno into international pop territory, proving it could cross over without losing credibility.
Kevin Saunderson and Paris Grey's 1989 debut as Inner City carried Detroit techno into international pop territory, with "Big Fun" and "Good Life" becoming global hits. Paradise proved Detroit's producers could move between the underground's mechanistic techno and slick, vocal-driven house without losing credibility on either side.
How it was made
The creation of Inner City happened by accident. Saunderson recorded the backing track for "Big Fun" in his home studio in 1987, then filed the tape away. When Neil Rushton came searching for tracks for Virgin Records' Detroit compilation months later, Saunderson pulled out "Big Fun" almost as an afterthought. It became a worldwide smash, launching Inner City and proving that sometimes the revolution arrives when you're not looking for it.
Listen
Track list
- A1Inner City Theme2:50
- A2Paradise4:05
- A3Ain’t Nobody Better4:01
- A4Power of Passion5:00
- A5Big Fun3:25
- B1Do You Love What You Feel5:01
- B2Good Life3:25
- B3Set Your Body Free4:01
- B4And I Do4:18
- B5Secrets of the Mind4:55
The label
This Virgin imprint released the 1988 compilation Techno! The New Dance Sound of Detroit, compiled by Neil Rushton and Derrick May, which helped establish "techno" as the name for the Detroit sound in the UK. It also released Inner City's debut album Paradise (1989).