Carl Craig

Carl Craig
Background information
Also known as BFC, Psyche, Paperclip People, 69, Designer Music, Innerzone Orchestra, No Boundaries
Born (1969-05-22) May 22, 1969
Origin Detroit
Genres Detroit techno, house
Occupation(s) Producer, DJ
Years active 1989-present
Labels Planet E
Website http://www.planet-e.net/

Carl Craig (born May 22, 1969) is a Detroit-based producer of techno music, and is considered to be one of the most important names in the Detroit second generation of techno producers and DJs. According to an article about Craig, "Of this group, Craig was often recognised as being the most artful and the most willing to engage the rapidly growing shape of techno outside Detroit."[1] Craig has approached techno using inspiration from a wide range of musical genres, including jazz and soul.

Early years

Carl Craig was born in Detroit. He attended Detroit's Cooley High School, where he developed an interest in music. He learned to play guitar and later became interested in club music through a cousin who worked lighting for Detroit area parties. After hearing Derrick May's radio show on WJLB, Craig began experimenting with recording on a dual-deck cassette player. He later talked his parents into buying him a synthesizer and sequencer. While taking an electronics course, Craig met someone who knew May and passed along a tape of some of his home studio productions. May was impressed, and in 1989 this resulted in Craig's first professional recording, "Neurotic Behavior."[2]

Music career

Since 1989 Craig has released many albums under a large number of aliases, including BFC, Psyche, Paperclip People, 69, Designer Music and Innerzone Orchestra. He also had a hugely successful collaboration album with NYDJ Patrick Picasso. Using one alias, Innerzone Orchestra, in 1992 he released perhaps his best-known track, "Bug in The Bassbin", a track that many regard as being a key influence in the then evolving sound of drum and bass.[3]

Craig has also created his own record label called Planet E Communications, which apart from his own work, has released records by well known techno and house artists like Kevin Saunderson, Alton Miller and Moodymann.

Craig served as co-creator and artistic director for the Detroit Electronic Music Festival in 2000 and 2001. His subsequent dismissal by festival organizers caused substantial controversy within the Detroit techno community, igniting a high-profile campaign in his favor.[4] In 2001, Craig filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against festival producer Pop Culture Media.[5] Craig returned as artistic director for the 2010 festival, teaming up with producer Paxahau. Craig continues to be heavily involved with the festival in recent years.

Regarding the many positions he has held in the music industry (artist, producer, DJ, label boss, and more), Craig has said: "I have a bad habit of getting my hands dirty in every little thing, and I really do enjoy it."[6]

Discography

Albums

Selected singles and EPs

DJ-mixes and compilations

He also participated in the collaborations The Detroit Experiment (2003) and Sun Ra Dedication: The Myth Lives on (2003)

References

  1. ↑ Exclaim.ca
  2. ↑ Bush, John, Carl Craig Biography, retrieved 6 November 2015
  3. ↑ Amanda Nowinski, "Free Jazz Meets Techno in the Innerzone" Billboard, July 17, 1999, p. 29.
  4. ↑ Brendan M. Gillen, "In gratitude," Metro Times. Accessed November 14, 2006.
  5. ↑ Eric Schumacher-Rasmussen, "Carl Craig Fires Back At Festival Organizers Who Fired Him", VH1 News. Accessed November 14, 2006.
  6. ↑ Stylusmagazine.com
  7. ↑ Microsite

See also

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