The Perlich Post: New disc due from Birdman's Deniz Tek

Friday, February 15, 2013

New disc due from Birdman's Deniz Tek

DENIZ TEK – DETROIT

Best known as a founding member of the influential 70s rock band Radio Birdman, Ann Arbor, Michigan-born guitarist, singer and songwriter Deniz Tek has continued recording and touring over the past three decades with figures emanating from Detroit's iconic groups The Stooges and MC5.

February 22nd marks the long awaited Citadel Records release of Detroit, Tek's first solo album in 21 years – yes that's right, Take It To The Vertical came out in 1992. Apart from flashes of keyboards and harmonica, Detroit is essentially a guitar album, with Tek's vocals and signature string-slashing set against a stone-solid rhythm section.

A year of preparation preceeded the sessions for the album that became Detroit. Two songs were recorded with Bob and Steve Brown and then another five songs were demoed at the end of 2010. Album sessions began in January 2011, with drum-basher deluxe Ric Parnell of Atomic Rooster (aka Spinal Tap's ill-fated Mick Shrimpton) taking over the kit. By the end of the year 14 songs had been recorded and the focus turned to the finish work. Tek's typically tasteful guitar work and driving rhythm section is really all that was needed to get the point across

A vinyl release was always part of the plan. Deniz arranged to take the master tapes to Houston to mix the album at the historic Sugarhill recording studio, with Mort Bradley manning the vintage vacuum tube equipment. It was there Tek decided to create a special mono mix for the vinyl edition (issued by Career Records) and use the stereo mix for the CD version.

In support of the album, Deniz and band will tour Australia in February/March before heading to Europe and the US.So far no Canadian dates have been announced.