ØPEN - CLØSE: DETROIT BEATDOWN AKA Delano Smith, Norm Talley & Mike 'Agent-X' Clark

Name: ØPEN - CLØSE: DETROIT BEATDOWN AKA Delano Smith, Norm Talley & Mike 'Agent-X' Clark
Start: 2025-11-01T08:00:00-04:00
End: 2025-11-02T04:00:00-04:00
Location: crobar

Schedule

Sat, 01 Nov, 2025 at 08:00 am to Sun, 02 Nov, 2025 at 04:00 am

UTC-04:00

Location

crobar | Cleveland, OH

PØST HALLØWEEN //
// DAY ØF THE DEAD
SATURDAY NØVEMBER FIRST, 2025
8pm - 3am
$20 Advance // $25 General Admissiøn // $30 Day øf Shøw
INSIDE:
ØPEN - CLØSE // 6 HØUR SET
DETROIT BEATDOWN
Cleveland Editiøn Featuring -
Beatdown Brothers
The Detroit Beatdown sound is a deep, soulful urban house music style developed by a collective of influential Detroit DJs and producers. The movement was led by Mike "Agent X" Clark, Norm Talley, and Delano Smith.
A "beatdown" is a feeling: As Eddie "Flashin'" Fowlkes described it, the word refers to the -down, heavy bass rhythm that distinguished it from faster techno.
Blending genres: Detroit Beatdown is a forward-thinking, urban house sound that blends influences from jazz, Motown, and funk, reflecting the city's rich musical history.
A collective, not a group: The core producers and DJs released compilation albums that showcase the distinct style, including the influential Detroit Beatdown Volume One on Third Ear Recordings in 2002.
NORM TALLEY - DETROIT (UPTSTAIRS ASYLUM // MIXMODE // FXHE)
Born and raised on Detroit's westside in the late 60's Norm's addiction to music began at an early age. By the age of 13 years old Norm's diverse musical outlook consisted of Disco, Progressive, Jazz.

Starting off Norm collected good music (45's-8-tracks-Vinyl) with proceeds earned from his paper route and eventually was introduced to Ken Collier who just happened to live 3 blocks over. Most of the Disco and Progressive Talley was introduced to during this time was through Ken. With one turntable, an eight-track player, a receiver and some speakers, Talley would listen to music with friends.

One of these friends eventually needed a DJ for a backyard party, which Talley played with his one turntable without mixing. After earning money to buy a full set-up, he soon had many requests for gigs, and has launched an internationally successful career as a DJ, producer, and all around musician.
DELANO SMITH - DETROIT (MIXMODE // SUSHITECH)
Of the original crop of Detroit DJs, Delano Smith is now the last. Reflecting on house and techno without his influence would mean viewing a very different musical landscape. Coming up at a time when the world was just discovering the influence a DJ could have, Smith battled his way to the top in a tough scene full of talent.

With the guidance of the late, great Ken Collier, his early sets fusing soul, disco and early electronic sounds would plant seeds in the minds of many of Detroit’s subsequent generations of house and techno. Those dancing to his sets in the late 70s and early 80s would go on to become dominant influences in first rave then global music culture. Now, the circle is closing as Delano stands shoulder to shoulder with artists he once educated.

His story is long and intriguing, running parallel to many of the developments not just in music but society at large that have shaped our modern world. First taking to the decks in a time of liberation and discovery, the economic down turn of the mid 00s brought him back to the house and techno fray. Adapting to new music has not been difficult for Delano, he’s just done what he always has done, piece together perfectly programmed sets of timelessly grooving floor killers.

Although techno post Belleville 3, UR is well documented, the scene that set the tone for them to emerge is less so. Honing his skills in the late 70s during what some have described as the Wild West or the Gold Rush, when the party culture we know now was making it’s first tentative steps, Delano Smith’s quality threshold is achingly high. In those early pioneering days one slip could have meant his livelihood. From this fiercely competitive world little exists to document it apart from its sole survivor now writing a brand new chapter in modern dance music.

The road to return began amongst friends as weekend sessions at home turned into parties and then eventually gained international recognition. London label Third Ear picked up on a slowed down sound emanating from the D and the sound of the Detroit Beatdown crew, Delano, Norm
Talley and Mike ‘Agent X’ Clarke began to seep into Europe through the eponymous compilation series. The collection of tracks from the trio was well received and bookings came thick and Fast from Europe’s top clubs. Along with his own imprint Mixmode, Delano was drawing together all he needed to unleash fully on the global scene. The return was well and truly on. His early tours closed the decade treading a familiar axis between the US and Europe. A pivotal relationship with Berlin label Sushitech began in 2009 with a chance meeting with label head

Yossi Amoyal, the setting Panorama Bar, a club that would later help define the pair. After a string of successful EPs, in 2012 the Odyssey LP exploded onto the collective consciousness of the house and techno world. It spawned singles played across the board and gave birth to a clutch of killer remixes. In 2014 his sophomore long player arrived. Loaded with dark and dubby material it was a curve ball to follow the hysteria that greeted his debut.

Pressed only on limited edition vinyl it was a statement of intent, that just as when he was breaking through in Detroit, this would be done on his own terms. With a hardware live set, a return to his own Mixmode and appearances at the leading underground events becoming all the more numerous, the circle is nearly complete for this truly unique artist.
MIKE 'AGENT-X' CLARK - DETROIT
"Ambassadør øf Høuse Music"
(STRICTLY BEATDOWN // PLANET E // UNDERGROUND RESISTANCE)
Detroit native Mike “Agent X” Clark is one of the city’s most influential DJs, producers, and musical visionaries — a pioneer whose fingerprints are embedded in the DNA of House and Detroit’s underground movement. With over three decades in the game, Clark has helped shape the sound and culture of modern dance music, from the early days of Underground Resistance to his own imprint, Strictly Beatdown.
Mentored by the legendary Ken Collier and affiliated with Detroit’s iconic Electrifying Mojo, Clark absorbed the essence of musical freedom and fearless experimentation early on. He went on to become one of the architects of the Beatdown Sound — a soulful, groove-driven evolution of Detroit house that influenced artists across the globe.
From his early classic “You Got to Show Me” on Trendsetter Records to his later release with Carl Craig, and the founding of Strictly Beatdown, Clark’s journey has been defined by deep rhythm, innovation, and authenticity.
As a DJ, he’s shared decks and studio time with Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, Juan Atkins, Carl Craig, Theo Parrish, Norm Talley, Louie Vega, Glenn Underground, Boo Williams, Phil Asher, Oliver Dollar, Soul Clap, Marcus Harris, and Deeper Waters — bridging generations and genres with ease.
His recent productions, including “In the House Club” (on Jimpster’s Shadow Recording), “Believe” featuring Angel-A, and his EFUNK Detroit EP, showcase Clark’s signature blend of deep, soulful, and percussive grooves that move both body and spirit.
Drawing inspiration from Josh Milan, Kerri Chandler, Roy Ayers, Stevie Wonder, Amp Fiddler, and Earth, Wind & Fire, Clark’s sound lives at the intersection of heart, soul, and dancefloor energy.
“When those chords change and invert,” he says, “it gives me goosebumps.”
Recognized for over twenty years of community involvement, Clark remains devoted to uplifting Detroit artists and preserving the city’s rich musical heritage.
“The foundation of anything is the key to a successful future. Build strong, not fast.”
Today, Mike “Agent X” Clark continues to represent Detroit on the world stage — as a DJ, producer, and cultural ambassador whose influence on House music’s past, present, and future is undeniable.
ØUTSIDE:
**ALL NIGHT // RESIDENTS // SPECIAL GUEST // VINYL // WEATHER PERMITTING // 8pm**
crobar
2444 ST. CLAIR AVE
CLEVELND, OHIO 44114