Various

After the success of their Philadelphia Experiment record, Ropeadope are now set on a course to conducting similar experiments in various American cities and Detroit is the next one on the list. While the city is different, the approach is the same. Find musical native sons and daughters and lock them up in the studio for a few days and then unspool the tapes. The Motor City edition was presided over by renowned techno artist Carl Craig and he’s joined by veteran jazz musician Marcus Belgrave, violinist Regina Carter and pianist Geri Allen among many others. While it heavily features jazz players, Craig’s techno background and the contributions of drummer and producer Karriem Riggins ensures the album crosses musical generations and genres. Given that, it’s very impressive that the eclectic sources come together so fluently. With Donald Byrd’s "Think Twice” reconfigured into a riff-driven house cut, Carter and Allen contributing the moving "There Is A God,” and heralded unsigned MC Invincible dropping countless Detroit references in her verses on "The Way We Make Music,” the eclectic detours the record takes never seem forced. While the cover of Stevie Wonder’s "Too High” qualifies as a misstep, the otherwise strict quality control and unobtrusive approach put into motion by Craig guides this ambitious project into successful territory.