Eddie 'Flashin' Fowlkes

Eddie 'Flashin' Fowlkes

Eddie 'Flashin' Fowlkes is a Detroit-born techno and house producer and DJ, associated with the development of Detroit techno. Raised on Motown records, he grows up listening to Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye at home, and begins attracting attention in 1982 as a DJ playing soul and jazz. His approach to techno combines the genre with the musical and emotional qualities of soul, jazz, melody and vocals, with a focus on warmth and feeling rather than a cold machine-driven style.

Early DJ work and the move into production

By 1986, connections with Juan Atkins and shared living arrangements with Kevin Saunderson and Derrick May lead him from DJing Kraftwerk into making his own music. His first single, Goodbye Kiss, appears on Metroplex and establishes his style. He continues to record through labels including KMS, 430 West, Play It Again Sam and Lafayette in the UK.

Tresor and later work

When techno gains a wider audience in Europe in 1992, Fowlkes attracts the attention of Tresor. He records in Berlin with 3MB, the production duo of Thomas Fehlmann and Moritz Von Oswald. In 1994, 3MB work further on tracks for the Detroit Techno Soul compilation, which Fowlkes coordinates for Tresor. He later bases himself in Los Angeles and runs his own label, City Boy Records.

Groups and aliases

He is associated with Detroit Soul Project, City Boy Players, The Martian, A.E.S. and The Beneficiaries.