DETROIT techno pioneer Carl Craig needs little introduction for anyone with an interest in electronic music.
A leading figure among a rich tapestry of artists hailing from Detroit, Planet E label boss, Carl continues to expand on the famous legacy.
He curated and performed on The Mainframe: Say It Loud Stage at Junction 2’s virtual festival, J2v, which took place on 11th July.
Reading like a who’s who of Motor City’s underground scene, all 16 artists he chose played back-to-back-to-back from a warehouse in Detroit – the Godfathers of techno, high-tech soul man Derrick May and Inner City’s Kevin Saunderson appeared alongside Kevin’s son Danietz Saunderson, Kyle Hall, Jay Daniel, and P-Funk innovator and George Clinton protege Amp Fiddler. Completing the line-up were DJ Holographic, DJ Minx, Stacey Pullen, “TP” Terrence Parker, Moodymann, Rick Wilhite, Waajeed, K-HAND, Al Ester and Dez Andres.
Here, listen to an exclusive, eclectic playlist selected by Carl Craig which he put together for us ahead of the online event and read what he has to say about each track he has chosen.
Kraftwerk – Computer World
This was my first experience with Kraftwerk. When I heard it, it was all over for me, it had an impact on me. Soulsonic Force and Nucleus and all that was happening in the electro scene put this one totally into focus for me.
Moodymann – Forevernevermore
Miles Davis – Rated X
Miles Davis having some fun with the organ. An intense funk record that gets in your brain and makes you question everything you know.
LCD Soundsystem – Throw (Paperclip People cover)
It was a great combination between me and LCD Soundsystem. My original, under the Paperclip People guise, came out in 1994 and was great at that time, but when LCD Soundsystem did their thing with it in 2010, they really took it somewhere else.
808 State – Pacific State
I am not going to play a sunset in Ibiza this year, I don’t think, but I guess the perfect one would be Pacific State from A Guy Called Gerald and 808 State – it’s the most perfect “dance naked” song that has ever been made.
Faze Action – In The Trees (Carl Craig C2 Remix #1)
It’s a very intense, big-sounding record. I’ve played it at festivals all over the world and every time I turn it on, it rocks the crowd.
Junior Boys – Like a Child (Carl Craig remix)
We just love the “listening instructions” that came with a prefixmag review of this mix.“Suggested Listening: Since no DJ would ever be cool enough to spin this in the club, I recommend sitting in a pitch black room for about the first four minutes. When the four-on-the-floor kick comes in, turn on your strobe light, or have your butler flick the light switch really fast. Proceed to dance in an erratic manner. Then at about eight minutes, cut the strobe, turn on the fog machine and act real dramatic. When the kick drum comes back, turn the strobe light back on and resume erratic dancing.
Moral of the story: Carl Craig still owns the remix, and his music creates an instant party no matter where you are.”
DJ Rolando – Knights of the Jaguar
A Detroit classic alongside Rhythim Is Rhythim’s ‘Strings of Life’ and one of the many timeless examples of just how poetic and emotionally moving Detroit techno can really be.
Rhythim is Rhythim – Strings of Life
This is pure Detroit magic. It never grows old and I will always play it.
Funkadelic – One Nation Under A Groove
A funk delicacy, supple, lithe and funky. At the time of its release, it was a perfect combo of soul past and present and has a chorus that is to die for every time.
