Before the world heard the “Motown Sound,” Berry Gordy saw it on a factory floor. In this premiere episode of Motor City Frequencies, we strip away the polished image of the Supremes and Temptations to reveal the industrial engine that powered them.

We trace the direct line from the Lincoln-Mercury assembly line to the “Quality Control” meetings at Hitsville U.S.A., proving that Detroit’s music wasn’t just magic—it was manufacturing.

In this episode, we cover:

The Ford Connection: How auto-plant logistics were used to build pop stars.

The Funk Brothers: Meet the jazz musicians in the basement who played on more #1 hits than the Beatles, yet remained anonymous.

The “Snake Pit”: The secrets of Studio A, including the hole cut in the attic that created the legendary echo.

James Jamerson: The genius bassist who played with “The Hook” (one finger) and changed the frequency of the city.

The Sandwich Test: The brutal voting system producers used to decide if a song would be released.

Featured in this series: The Detroit Party Podcast presents Motor City Frequencies, a 6-part audio documentary chronicling the evolution of Detroit culture from 1959 to 2026.

Listen below to follow the journey from Motown to Techno.

Before the world heard the &ldquo;Motown Sound,&rdquo; Berry Gordy saw it on a factory floor. In this premiere episode of Motor City Frequencies, we strip away the polished image of the Supremes and Temptations to reveal the industrial engine that powered them.
We trace the direct line from the Lincoln-Mercury assembly line to the &ldquo;Quality Control&rdquo; meetings at Hitsville U.S.A., proving that Detroit&rsquo;s music wasn&rsquo;t just magic&mdash;it was manufacturing.
In this episode, we cover:
The Ford Connection: How auto-plant logistics were used to build pop stars.
The Funk Brothers: Meet the jazz musicians in the basement who played on more #1 hits than the Beatles, yet remained anonymous.
The &ldquo;Snake Pit&rdquo;: The secrets of Studio A, including the hole cut in the attic that created the legendary echo.
James Jamerson: The genius bassist who played with &ldquo;The Hook&rdquo; (one finger) and changed the frequency of the city.
The Sandwich Test: The brutal voting system producers used to decide if a song would be released.
Featured in this series: The Detroit Party Podcast presents Motor City Frequencies, a 6-part audio documentary chronicling the evolution of Detroit culture from 1959 to 2026.
Listen below to follow the journey from Motown to Techno.

Motown Was Built Like a Car Factory

The factory breaks down. Following the 1967 rebellion, the youth rejected polished Soul for industrial noise and aggression. We dive into the Grande Ballroom, the MC5, and Iggy Pop—the "high energy" proto-punk sound that taught Detroit how to be raw.

More Info

The factory breaks down. Following the 1967 rebellion, the youth rejected polished Soul for industrial noise and aggression. We dive into the Grande Ballroom, the MC5, and Iggy Pop&mdash;the "high energy" proto-punk sound that taught Detroit how to be raw.
<a href="https://www.thedetroitparty.com/kick-out-the-jams-when-detroit-set-the-stage-on-fire-1967-1972/">More Info</a>

Kick Out the Jams" (1967-1972)

Motown left town, but the music didn't die—it just got weird.

In Episode 3, we bridge the gap between the guitar riffs of the 60s and the drum machines of the 80s. We track the landing of George Clinton’s P-Funk Mothership and the arrival of Kraftwerk’s German robots.

But the real hero of this story is a mysterious voice on the radio: The Electrifying Mojo. Join us for a meeting of "The Midnight Funk Association" to understand how one DJ broke every rule in the book and taught Detroit how to dream of the future.

Motown left town, but the music didn't die&mdash;it just got weird.
In Episode 3, we bridge the gap between the guitar riffs of the 60s and the drum machines of the 80s. We track the landing of George Clinton&rsquo;s P-Funk Mothership and the arrival of Kraftwerk&rsquo;s German robots.
But the real hero of this story is a mysterious voice on the radio: The Electrifying Mojo. Join us for a meeting of "The Midnight Funk Association" to understand how one DJ broke every rule in the book and taught Detroit how to dream of the future.

The Mothership & The Electrifying Mojo: How Radio Changed the World (1973–1985)

In the mid-80s, three teenagers from the suburbs found some discarded drum machines in a pawn shop. They didn't have a manual, so they invented their own rules.

Episode 4 tells the story of The Belleville Three: Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson. We explore how they took the funk of Parliament and the robotics of Kraftwerk to create "High Tech Soul."

From the icy landscapes of Cybotron to theeuphoric piano chords of "Strings of Life," this is the story of how Detroit gave the world Techno.

Key Tracks: Cybotron - "Clear", Rhythim Is Rhythim - "Strings of Life", Inner City - "Good Life".

In the mid-80s, three teenagers from the suburbs found some discarded drum machines in a pawn shop. They didn't have a manual, so they invented their own rules.
Episode 4 tells the story of The Belleville Three: Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson. We explore how they took the funk of Parliament and the robotics of Kraftwerk to create "High Tech Soul."
From the icy landscapes of Cybotron to theeuphoric piano chords of "Strings of Life," this is the story of how Detroit gave the world Techno.
Key Tracks: Cybotron - "Clear", Rhythim Is Rhythim - "Strings of Life", Inner City - "Good Life".

Techno City: The Belleville Three & The Birth of a Genre (1985–1989)

The Detroit Party Podcast

Welcome to the ultimate hub for Detroit culture, art, and music. As we countdown to the massive Detroit Party in 2026, we are bringing you the stories that define the 313.

Featuring our debut deep-dive series, Motor City Frequencies: A journey through the evolution of Detroit music. Discover how the "Motown Sound" and the 1967 riots paved the way for P-Funk and the global Techno revolution.

Covering: Motown, Garage Rock, P-Funk, Techno, House, and the Contemporary Art scene.

Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes, event news, and the history you won't hear anywhere else.

The Detroit Party Podcast
Welcome to the ultimate hub for Detroit culture, art, and music. As we countdown to the massive Detroit Party in 2026, we are bringing you the stories that define the 313.
Featuring our debut deep-dive series, Motor City Frequencies: A journey through the evolution of Detroit music. Discover how the "Motown Sound" and the 1967 riots paved the way for P-Funk and the global Techno revolution.
Covering: Motown, Garage Rock, P-Funk, Techno, House, and the Contemporary Art scene.
Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes, event news, and the history you won't hear anywhere else.

Motor City Frequencies

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