One of the foundational DJs of Detroit’s deep house scene, since 1982 Norm Talley has helped to establish and cement the deeper end of Detroit’s dance music culture. Though Detroit’s house scene was slow to receive wider recognition, this funky underbelly thrived throughout the ‘80s, helping birth later developments–techno included.
Performing as Detroit Beatdown, the DJ trio of Norm Talley, Delano Smith, and Mike “Agent X” Clark became instrumental in this rise. Showcasing the slowed down, low-slung take on house that could only come from Detroit, they toured worldwide, while holding multiple residencies both locally and abroad. Pioneers of the sound, they presented their own personal vision to eager audiences, on full display in their three-hour, three-part contribution to Resident Advisor’s esteemed podcast in 2010.
When the reevaluation of early Detroit underground figures reached full swing, Talley took the opportunity to strike, releasing a still-unbroken string of singles on reputable labels that include Tsuba, NDATL, Sushitech, Mixmode, Landed, Dockside, and Thema. Since 1997, Talley’s productions trace the entire spectrum of Detroit music. From disco and vocal house, to the deep transmissions and nasty techno only Motown could produce, they’re always delivered with a raw, emotional intensity that keeps his DJ sets in high demand worldwide.
“The Journey,” “Cosmic Waves,” “Travlin,” “Powder,” and “Join Hands,” have all become well-worn underground classics, and remain a testament to his versatility as an artist. His first full-length album, 2017’s “Norm-A-Lize 4XLP” on FXHE, was released to critical acclaim. In 2021, Talley converted his Upstairs Asylum production company into a vinyl-only record label, and has since put out releases from himself, as well as Moodymann, Delano Smith, Rick Wade, Kai Alce, Kyle Hall, Jon Dixon, Boo Williams, Eddie Fowlkes, Patrice Scott, and many more.
Spreading the city’s underground sound has been a lifelong endeavor, and Talley has held his own since its earliest days. With a long-established career and proficient artistry that speak eloquently about the possibilities of Detroit’s music–past, present, and future–suffice it to say, he’s a true original.