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 (age 43)
Origin	Detroit
Genres	Detroit Techno, House
Occupations	Producer, DJ
Years active	1989 to present
Labels	Planet E
Website	https://www.planet-e.net/

Carl Craig 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] Carl Craig has approached techno using inspiration from a wide range of musical genres, including jazz and soul.

Carl Craig has released many successful albums under a large number of aliases, such as 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, he released perhaps his best-known track "Bug in The Bassbin" in 1992, a track that many regard as being a key influence in the then evolving sound of drum and bass.^[2]

Carl 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 widely successful 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.^[3] In 2001, Craig filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against festival producer Pop Culture Media.^[4] Craig will return as artistic director for the 2010 festival, which is now produced by Paxahau.

Part of what makes Craig's style so unique and separates him from much of the normal "Detroit Techno" sound, including current works, are his remixes of world beat and jazz songs. This has helped spark a new movement of electronic music.^{[citation needed]}

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."^[5]

Discography [link]

Albums [link]

• Carl Craig: Landcruising, 1995
• 69: The Sound of Music, 1995
• Paperclip People: The Secret Tapes of Doctor Eich, 1996
• Carl Craig: More Songs About Food and Revolutionary Art, 1997. Compare with Talking Heads' 1978 album More Songs About Buildings and Food
• Innerzone Orchestra: Programmed, 1999
• Carl Craig: The Album Formerly Known As…, 2005
• Carl Craig & Moritz von Oswald: ReComposed, 2008

Selected singles and EPs [link]

• "No More Words" (12"), 1991
• 69: 4 Jazz Funk Greats (12" ep), 1991
• Paperclip People: "Throw" (12"), 1994
• "Science Fiction" (12"), 1995
• Paperclip People: "The Climax" (12"), 1995
• Paperclip People: "Floor" (12"), 1996
• "A Wonderful Life" (12"), 2002
• Just Another Day (12" ep), 2004
• "Sparkle / Home Entertainment" (12"), 2005
• "Darkness / Angel" (12"), 2006
• Paris Live (12"), 2007

DJ-mixes and compilations [link]

• DJ-Kicks: Carl Craig, 1996
• House Party 013: A Planet E Mix, 1999
• Designer Music Volume One, 2000. A compilation of remixes
• Abstract Funk Theory, 2001
• Onsumothasheeat, 2001
• The Workout, 2002
• Fabric 25, 2005
• From the Vault: Planet E Classics Collection Vol. 1, 2006
• Sessions, 2008 ^[6]
• BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix, 2011

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

References [link]

1. ^ Exclaim.ca
2. ^ Amanda Nowinski, 'Free Jazz Meets Techno in the Innerzone' Billboard July 17, 1999 p. 29 https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=kAgEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA29&ots=poshvVkvjb&dq=grooverider%20bug%20in%20a%20bassbin&pg=PA29#v=onepage&q=grooverider%20bug%20in%20a%20bassbin&f=false
3. ^ Brendan M. Gillen , "In gratitude," Metro Times Last accessed 14 November 2006
4. ^ Eric Schumacher-Rasmussen, "Carl Craig Fires Back At Festival Organizers Who Fired Him," VH1 News VH1.com Last accessed 14 November 2006
5. ^ Stylusmagazine.com
6. ^ Microsite

See also [link]

• Planet E Communications Carl Craig's Detroit-Based Record label.
• Carl Craig interview, Beatportal Carl Craig interview, Beatportal
• Carl Craig discography at Discogs.
• Carl Craig at Bebo.
• DJ-Kicks.
• Microsite to his Sessions + free track download.
• Interview with DJ Times, 1999.
• Carl Craig RBMA lecture
• Beat Factor interview
• AV Club interview
• Resident Advisor interview
• Little White Earbuds interview