Carl Craig

Dancefloor experimentalist and top Detroit techno producer Carl Craig has few equals in terms of the artistry, influence, and diversity of his recordings.

Carl Craig is described as a creative visionary, an electronic music icon, an esteemed Grammy-nominated composer, a world-class DJ and an ambassador for his native Detroit. Yet the common thread that runs through Craig’s broad musical canon and creative projects is a resounding fascination with futurism. The prolific producer has cultivated a unique path as an artist, entrepreneur and civic leader, guided by his tendency toward forward thinking.

A prolific techno third columnist from Detroit, Michigan, Craig rose to prominence on Derrick May’ Transmat imprint, releasing material under names like Psyche and BFC. Originally, Kraftwerk and early Human League had inspired him, but after supporting Derrick May as a component of Rhythim Is Rhythim, his tastes broadened. Following recording sessions for “Stringz Of Life ’89” with May, he set up his own label Planet E before a six month sabbatical to England in 1990 (at which time Fragile Records released his tune ‘Galaxy’).

Increasingly welcomed across two continents as a prime mover in the Detroit techno sound, Craig has issued a plethora of subsequent material. Most notable among these are his collaboration with Maurizio (‘Mind’) and his work as Paperclip People (‘Remake Uno’), which were licensed from Planet E to Ministry of Sound’ Open label in the UK. He signed his 69 moniker to R & Sin 1994. That name had first been employed for his epic 1991 12-inch, ‘Ladies And Gentlemen’, which latterly found favour as a Sound On Sound reissue with DJs like DJ Pierre, Andy Weatherall and Amsterdam’ Dimitri. Craig has also performed remix work for prominent artists including the Orb, Yello and Tori Amos. He released his debut long-player (on Blanco Y Negro) in 1995, but the follow-up, ‘More Songs About Food And Revolutionary Art’ offered more compelling evidence of Craig’ superb melodic talent.