Innovator was released in 1997 by Sony in Japan and Transmat everywhere else. It's a double CD or 5xLP set of Derrick May's greatest "hits" (as Rhythim is Rhythim and R-Tyme, so it contains material from Carl Craig, D Wynn, Mike James, and Thomas Barnett as well). It has liner notes written by George Clinton, praising May's work and legacy. These notes are accompanied by a collection of photographs of downtown Detroit at night.

Tracklisting CD 1
1. "Rest"
2. Strings of the Strings of Life
3. Another Kaos Beyond Kaos
4. Freestyle
5. Feel Surreal Begins
6. Beyond Kaos
7. Another Rest
8. The Dance
9. A Little Spaced Out
10. Daymares
11. It Is What It Is
12. Beyond the Dance (Cult Mix)
13. Original Feel Surreal
14. R-Theme

Tracklisting CD 2
1. To Be Or Not To Be (Off the Cuff Mix, also appears on the soundtrack to the Ghost in the Shell PlayStation game)
2. Icon (Montage Mix)
3. Phantom
4. A Relic Mix
5. Kaotic Harmony
6. More Phantom
7. Salsa Life
8. Nude Photo
9. The Beginning
10. Another Relic from the Relics
11. Drama
12. Original "Strings"
13. Wiggin' - Juan Atkins Mix

At the time of its first release, this anthology was a great introduction to May's music; most of it was no longer available, except on various techno compilations, and even then it was usually Strings of Life or Nude Photo. It suffers from an unfortunate and grave flaw, though. Far too many of these tracks are very short teasers of about nine seconds in length. Please note that the tracklisting on CD 2 as printed may be incorrect.

The Japanese version of this compilation has a different tracklisting, including a Ken Ishii remix of The Beginning. Drool. Fortunately, many of the classics found on this album were re-pressed on Transmat in 2000. (and several times before, as sakke tells me)

In"no*va`tor (?), n. [Cf. F. innovateur.]

One who innovates.

Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.