Tracklist
| Strings (Flam-Boy-Ant Mix) | 6:54 | ||
| Strings Of Life | 7:23 | ||
| Move It (Remix) | 5:42 | ||
| Kaos (Juice Bar Mix) | 5:50 | ||
| Untitled | 3:08 |
Credits (1)
-
Mike SladeExecutive-Producer
Notes
Considered a classic in both the house and techno genres, "Strings Of Life" is the most recognizable and well-known song in Derrick May's repertoire. It is based on a piano sequence by May's then-friend Michael James, and was originally at 80 BPM before May increased the tempo, chopped it up into loops, and added percussion and string samples.
There were five official versions of the song. The first two were released in 1987: the famous 7:23 mix called "Strings Of Life (Piano Mix)," "Strings Of Life (The Classic Mix)" or just "Strings Of Life", and a 6:56 remix called "Strings (Flam-Boy-Ant Mix)" or just "Strings". In 1989, two new remixes were licensed exclusively to UK & European labels: a Juan Atkins remix called "Strings Of Life '89 (Juan's Magic Mix)", and an uncredited remix called "Strings of Life (Exclusive Remix)" (issued on a split release with Model 500). In 1991, an 8:23 kick drum-free version titled "Strings Of Life (Unreleased Mix)", "Strings Of Life (Remix)", or "Strings Of The Strings Of Life" first appeared, and featured additional production by Carl Craig & Derrick May. This mix was "unreleased" in the sense that it was new at the time and was never officially released on a single; only on compilations.
Numerous compilations feature early fades and other space-saving edits of the original 1987 Piano Mix, the 1989 Exclusive Remix, and the 1991 Unreleased Mix.
In addition, the original 1987 Piano Mix often appears at two distinct speeds on compilations. The unedited track is 7:19 for the faster speed and 7:35 for the pitched-down version.
There were five official versions of the song. The first two were released in 1987: the famous 7:23 mix called "Strings Of Life (Piano Mix)," "Strings Of Life (The Classic Mix)" or just "Strings Of Life", and a 6:56 remix called "Strings (Flam-Boy-Ant Mix)" or just "Strings". In 1989, two new remixes were licensed exclusively to UK & European labels: a Juan Atkins remix called "Strings Of Life '89 (Juan's Magic Mix)", and an uncredited remix called "Strings of Life (Exclusive Remix)" (issued on a split release with Model 500). In 1991, an 8:23 kick drum-free version titled "Strings Of Life (Unreleased Mix)", "Strings Of Life (Remix)", or "Strings Of The Strings Of Life" first appeared, and featured additional production by Carl Craig & Derrick May. This mix was "unreleased" in the sense that it was new at the time and was never officially released on a single; only on compilations.
Numerous compilations feature early fades and other space-saving edits of the original 1987 Piano Mix, the 1989 Exclusive Remix, and the 1991 Unreleased Mix.
In addition, the original 1987 Piano Mix often appears at two distinct speeds on compilations. The unedited track is 7:19 for the faster speed and 7:35 for the pitched-down version.
Versions
Filter by
29 versions
| Image | , | – | In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory |
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Version Details | Data Quality | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Strings Of Life
12", 33 ⅓ RPM
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Transmat – MS 4 | US | 1987 | US — 1987 |
Recently Edited
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Strings Of Life
12", 33 ⅓ RPM
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Transmat – MS 004 | US | 1987 | US — 1987 |
Recently Edited
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Strings Of Life
12", 33 ⅓ RPM
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Transmat – MS 004 | US | 1987 | US — 1987 | ||||
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Strings Of Life
12", 33 ⅓ RPM
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Transmat – MS 004 | US | 1987 | US — 1987 | ||||
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Strings Of Life
12", 33 ⅓ RPM
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Transmat – MS 004 | US | 1987 | US — 1987 |
Recently Edited
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Strings Of Life
12", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label
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Transmat – MS-004 | US | 1987 | US — 1987 |
Recently Edited
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Strings Of Life
12", 33 ⅓ RPM
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Transmat – MS 004 | US | 1987 | US — 1987 |
Recently Edited
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Strings Of Life
12", 33 ⅓ RPM
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Transmat – MS 004 | US | 1987 | US — 1987 |
Recently Edited
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Strings Of Life
12", 33 ⅓ RPM
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Transmat – MS 004 | US | 1987 | US — 1987 |
New Submission
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Strings Of Life
12", 33 ⅓ RPM
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Transmat – MS 004 | US | 1987 | US — 1987 |
New Submission
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Strings Of Life
12", 33 ⅓ RPM
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Transmat – MS 004 | US | 1987 | US — 1987 |
New Submission
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Strings Of Life '89
12", 45 RPM
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ZYX Music – ZYX 6263-12 | 1989 | — 1989 | |||||
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Strings Of Life '89
12", 45 RPM
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Big Life – KOOL T509 | UK | 1989 | UK — 1989 | ||||
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Strings Of Life '89
12", 45 RPM, Promo
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Big Life – RHYTHIM PROMO 1 | UK | 1989 | UK — 1989 |
Recently Edited
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Strings Of Life '89
7"
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Big Life – KOOL 509 | UK | 1989 | UK — 1989 |
Recently Edited
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Strings Of Life
12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue
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Transmat – MS 4 | US | 1992 | US — 1992 |
Recently Edited
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Strings Of Life
12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue
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Transmat – MS 4 | US | 1992 | US — 1992 |
Recently Edited
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Strings Of Life '89
12", 45 RPM, Repress
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ZYX Music – ZYX 6263-12 | 1993 | — 1993 |
New Submission
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Strings Of Life (Unreleased Mixes)
12", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label
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Not On Label – BBT 2002 | UK | 2001 | UK — 2001 |
Recently Edited
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Strings Of Life (Tribal Remake)
12", Single Sided, White Label, Unofficial Release
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Not On Label (Derrick May) – AB 0010 | 2003 | 2003 |
Recently Edited
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Strings Of Life
2×12", Unofficial Release, White Translucent
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Club Standards – CS001 | UK | 2005 | UK — 2005 |
Recently Edited
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Strings Of Life (Tom Middleton Remodel)
12", Single Sided, White Label, Unofficial Release
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Not On Label (Rhythim Is Rhythim) – TOM3 | 2009 | 2009 |
Recently Edited
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Strings Of Life
12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue
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Transmat – MS 004 | US | 2017 | US — 2017 | ||||
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Strings Of Life
3×File, MP3, Reissue, 320 kbps
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Transmat – MS004LTD | US | 2017 | US — 2017 |
New Submission
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Strings Of Life
12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue
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Transmat – MS-4 | US | US |
Recently Edited
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Strings Of Life (Dirty House Collective Remix)
12", Single Sided, Unofficial Release, 45 RPM
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Dirty House Collective – DHC001 | UK | UK | |||||
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Strings Of Life
12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Misprint
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Transmat – MS 004 | US | US |
New Submission
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Strings Of Life
12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Repress, Test Pressing
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Transmat – MS 4 | US | US |
New Submission
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Strings Of Life (Dirty House Collective Remix)
12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, White Label
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Dirty House Collective – DHC001 | UK | UK |
Recommendations
Reviews
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referencing Strings Of Life (12", 33 ⅓ RPM) MS 4
DJ, producer, A&R, and label owner Various - Retro Techno / Detroit Definitive - Emotions Electric on his south London pirate radio station Lightning FM / LCR, on 5th October 1989, which was given to him exclusively by Derrick May at the time.
This coincided with Derrick May and Carl Craig's live appearances and performance of this particular version at the Town and Country Club, Kentish Town in north London from around the same period. Where they were ing Inner City (Kevin Saunderson and Paris Grey) at their live gigs in the UK.
Regarding the pirate radio show. Bryan Gee also happened to mix Model 500 - The Chase straight after in his set, another tune which was big in the UK underground and the rest of Europe at the time. Although several minutes earlier he tried blending 808 State 'Pacific' but gave up. He doesn't mention if the Strings remix was a dubplate or a Test Pressing, but it was obviously mixable and a solid object, no digital back then! I wonder how many of these Acetates or Test Pressings were pressed back then? There must be some floating about or sitting somewhere. -
referencing Strings Of Life (12", 33 ⅓ RPM) MS 4
For anyone looking to get this on vinyl but not keen on paying huge prices, the best known mix of SoL is also on the compilation, Dance Train Classics Vinyl 4 - probably on lots of others too, to be fair :-) -
Looks like this was intended to have been released as part of the this release)
And probably has the same mixes as The 10th Planet - Strings Of Life (Ashley Beedle Remixes) -
referencing Strings Of Life (12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue) MS-4
Fav off all time in my collection from first time heard -
referencing Strings Of Life (12", 33 ⅓ RPM) MS 4
i'm no musical expert that can tell show about stabs & strings and various musical arrangements, i'm simply and have been a dancer since 88 and this classic just last weekend (2023) had the whole place going nuts, still sounding fresh still rocks a dance floor! -
referencing Strings Of Life (Tribal Remake) (12", Single Sided, White Label, Unofficial Release) AB 0010
I have this record, paid £3 for it, didnt release it was so sought after, wanted by 539....jeez (open the collar) -
Edited 9 months agoreferencing Strings Of Life (Tom Middleton Remodel) (12", Single Sided, White Label, Unofficial Release) TOM3
The first time I heard this track was Move D playing this track in a mix. Since then, ive been obsessing about this track and now I finally got this gem in my hand. One of the best remixes of Strings of Life in my opinion. -
referencing Strings Of Life (12", 33 ⅓ RPM) MS 4
Great record, I personally like the "Move It' track. The mastering job on this record is top notch. -
Edited one year agoThe B side was recorded live at the Town & Country Club London in September 1989
My copy has white labels. -
referencing Strings Of Life (12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue) MS-4
There are two kinds of cuttings in Transmat Classics Series.
MS-004 uses original cutting mother
MS-4 is newly NSC Cutting
Master Release
Edit Master Release
Recently Edited
Recently Edited
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