A crucial figure on the outskirts of Detroit techno since the mid '80s, James Pennington's recordings as the Suburban Knight pioneered the moodier side of the Motor City with classics like "The Art of Stalking" and "The Groove." And though he collaborated on the biggest hit to come out of Detroit, the techno-pop monster "Big Fun" by Inner City, he later recorded with subterranean mainstays Underground Resistance. It was through his connection with another Detroit mainstay, Derrick May, that Pennington began recording. May had set up his own Transmat label in 1986, and Suburban Knight debuted the following year with the third release for the label, "The Groove." He had also been working with Kevin Saunderson (who was also his room-mate for 3 years), and co-wrote "Big Fun" with Saunderson and Arthur Forest. After vocals were added by Paris Grey and the record was released, it became a worldwide hit and virtually defined early Detroit techno for many foreigners. Though Pennington only released one more single for Transmat, it was the dark classic "The Art of Stalking." After the commercial success of 'Big Fun', he signed a deal with Transmat but released very little as they wanted a more commercial sound. This deal prevented him from released anything for around 3 years.
With the rise of Detroit's second wave in the early '90s, Pennington became a mentor for Mike Banks and the Underground Resistance crew. With UR, he released the singles "Nocturbulous Behavior" and "Dark Energy." He also featured on the Transmat label compilation Depth Charge, Vol. 3, and produced tracks for Underground Resistance's 1998 full-length Interstellar Fugitive. James' Debut album 'My Sol Dark Direction' was released to critical acclaim including both classics and new, unreleased productions.
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Not On Label (DJ 3000 Self-released)
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Dark Print
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2006
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2023
2011
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Electric Punches
CD, Album
2005
Bear Knuckle
12", Cle
2005
Bipolar
CD, Comp, Mixed
2005
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Generations
12"
2011
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Renaissance
2xCD, Comp, Mixed
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1994
Not On Label (Petrale Self-released)
8xFile, FLAC, RE
2025
Dublab
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2025
Music Man Records
12", Comp, Red
2025
2022
Cryovac Recordings
12"
2022
Dublab
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
2021
Dublab
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
2021
Dublab
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2021
Dublab
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
2020
Dublab
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
2020
FACT Magazine
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
2019
Dublab
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
2019
Neptunian Influence
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
2018
Resident Advisor
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
2018
Underground Resistance
CDr, Comp
2018
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Motech
12", EP, Ltd, W/Lbl
2015
Not On Label
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
2015
BRAWLcast
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
2015
Схема
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
2015
FACT Magazine
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
2014
Not On Label
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
2014
Best's Friends
32xFile, MP3, Comp, 320
2014
Truants
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
2014
Not On Label (Santiago Salazar Self-released)
File, MP3, Mixed, 192
2013
Not On Label (Body Mechanic Self-released)
File, MP3, Mixed, 128
2013
Not On Label (Santiago Salazar Self-released)
File, MP3, Mixed, 192
2013
XLR8R
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
2013
Underground Resistance
CDr, Mixed
2013
Not On Label (Paula Temple Self-released)
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
2011
FACT Magazine
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
2011
Resident Advisor
File, MP3, Mixed, 160
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Resident Advisor
File, MP3, Mixed, 160
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Electric Deluxe
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
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Little White Earbuds
File, MP3, Comp, Mixed, 192
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Submerge Recordings
13xFile, FLAC
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Electrofunk Records
43xFile, WAV, Comp
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Daily Session
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2008
Daily Session
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Not On Label (Mick Wills Self-released)
CDr, Ltd, Mixed, Promo
2008
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Underground Resistance, Underground Gallery Productions
CD, Mixed
2007
Not On Label (DJ Skurge Self-released)
File, MP3, Mixed, 128
2007
Not On Label (DJ Dex (3) Self-released)
File, MP3, Mixed, 142
2007
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Submerge Recordings, Underground Gallery Productions
CD, Mixed
2006
Underground Resistance
12"
2006
Detroit Digital Vinyl
File, MP3, Mixed
2006
Detroit Digital Vinyl
File, MP3, Comp, Mixed
2006
Detroit Digital Vinyl
File, MP3, Mixed
2006
Not On Label
File, MP3, Mixed, 320
2006
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Underground Resistance
2x12"
2005
Spectral Sound
CDr, Mixed, Promo
2005
Rockstar Games
99xFile, MP3, Comp
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