- Smooth house from a Detroit legend.
- Detroit might be synonymous with techno, but it also has a rich house tradition. And Rick Wade—FKA Big Daddy Rick—is one of the sound's key players. Along with the likes of Keith Worthy, Theo Parrish and the late Mike Huckaby (who Wade had a lifelong friendship and friendly rivalry with), he created a hybrid sound that is both techno and house, effortlessly soulful, sculpted and glowing—and Midwest to the core. As Tajh Morris said in a retrospective review of one of his classic EPs, "growing up in Buchanan, Michigan, meant that Wade was much closer to Chicago than he was to Detroit."
Many of Wade's best records were released on Harmonie Park, his era-defining label that also featured plenty of work from Huckaby. Those EPs still sound fresh and timeless today, qualities that extend to Wade's RA Podcast, which features 90 minutes of smooth-as-butter house old and new. Over the years he's kept the flame burning for the smouldering sounds of Detroit house, working in sounds from younger producers like Folamour along the way. Enjoy listening to a master at work.
What have you been up to recently?
Between late-night studio sessions and early morning coffee rituals, I've been in the lab crafting sonic tapestries that weave together the essence of Detroit's soul with the futuristic whispers of deep house. Think of it as time-travelling through music, where every beat is a step forward, and every melody is a nod to the past that whispers secrets of my unseen world. That, and working the nine-to-five.
How and where was the mix recorded? And can you tell us the idea behind it?
It was recorded in the quiet hours of dawn, in a space where the only audience was the flickering city lights and the occasional night owl. This mix is a love letter to the insomniacs, the groovers and the dreamers. It's a journey through the depths of night into the first light of day, with each track selected to guide the listener through their own inner landscapes, making for a personal experience that's as much about discovery as it is about enjoyment. I wanted to transport listeners to a place where time stands still, and the only thing that matters is the groove. It's an homage to those long ago late nights chillin' with Huck, Trackula and Theo. Sharing moody jazz elements with the raw energy of disco and deep house, designed to make your head bop and soul dance, even if your feet are too shy. In other words, I recorded it in my home studio on the PC.
What's one club or party that had a major impact on you as an artist?
Ah, let's travel back in time to the late '80s. There was this legendary spot in Ann Arbor, Michigan, called Nectarine Ballroom, and on Friday and Sunday nights, it wasn't just a club; it was a gateway to understanding the power of connection through music. Jeff Mills (known as The Wizard back in those days) played there and every set felt like he was casting spells over the crowd, conjuring emotions and memories with each track. The energy when he played was electric. It was as if a current flowed through everybody, connecting us all in a shared pulse. It was there that I realised my purpose wasn't just to spin records, but to create moments, to forge an unspoken bond between strangers through the rhythm of the night. Mills taught me that to be a true artist you mustn't only play the music but also evoke the magic within it.
You're a known lover of anime and a visual artist. Does this interface with or influence your music career at all?
Indeed, this is a topic I could go on for days about. The imaginative worlds of anime and my passion for visual arts don't just influence my music—they're the lifeblood that flows through its veins. Each track I produce is a frame in an animated sequence, telling stories that words alone cannot. The vibrant landscapes, complex characters and intricate plots of anime inspire my compositions, allowing me to craft tracks that aren't just heard but experienced, inviting listeners to step into a world where music paints the scenery and emotions set the scene. Anime, with its boundless creativity and emotional depth, often inspires the narratives behind my tracks. The dramatic arcs, the vivid landscapes and even the quiet moments of introspection find their way into my music. It's like composing a soundtrack for a series where every episode is a different shade of moodiness, each designed to make your heart dance in its unique way. Don't get me started! LOL!
You've been in the game for a long time. Who are some of your favourite younger house producers?
I don't really keep up with the scene like that, but there are a few producers who've been on my radar as of late, and I'm sure they're younger than me so I guess that counts! LOL! Off the top of my head, a few that have been weaving textures of sound that even I wish I'd thought of are, in no particular order: Will Simpson, Hotmood, Jesusdapnk, Henna Onna, Chemars and Los Charly's Orchestra, to name just a few. Their music is a fusion of respect for the roots and a fearless leap into the unknown, reminding me why I fell in love with house music in the first place.
What's one social or political cause you want the world to pay more attention to?
In a world that often dances to the tune of discord, one cause very close to my heart is mental health awareness, especially within the creative community. The struggles of the mind many of us deal with on a daily basis are more intricate than the most complex beats we've ever produced, and yet, it's a dance of the mind often performed in silence. I advocate for a world where this silence is broken, where artists and individuals alike can share their rhythms of struggle without fear, and the music of our thoughts is met with understanding and support, not stigmatisation.
What are you looking forward to in the near future?
No major plans. I'm just going to keep making music, creating visual art and being as kind as possible, lending a helping hand when I can, where I can. That and eating a bag of Cheetos while I watch Saturday night anime (when I'm not playing out, of course).
TracklistJo Paciello, Raffaele Ciavolino - The Big Sun
Folamour - The Power and the Blessing of Unity
Hotmood - Bounce Me
Brijean - Daydreaming (Rick Wade Remix)
Sylvan Esso - Hey Mami (Rick Wade Remix)
Zetbee - Walking Over Me
HP Vince - Get On Down
Jesusdapnk - Blu Alibi
Rick Wade - Zero Ningen
Rick Wade - Intelligence
Gangs of Naples - Love No Longer
Ross Couch - You Touched My Soul
Chemars - Just a Dream
Homero Espinosa - Running
Rick Wade - My Soul
Jacques Renault - No Strings Attached
Rick Wade - Hard Full
Flush - Bateau Blanc
Giano - Latino Special
Cory Wells - Sandman
Hotmood - Electric Jungle
Art of Tones - Over A Gain
AC Soul Symphony - Six Billion Dollar Man