The official soundtrack to Jean-Cosme Delaloye's documentary about the life and career of Detroit techno pioneer Carl Craig, 'Desire: The Carl Craig Story'.
The collection, coming via his prolific and seminal Planet E Communications, features music from across Craig’s vast catalog, including several tracks that have never previously seen full digital release. Its selections span his many aliases and projects, offering a rare glimpse into the full scope of his groundbreaking career. rare glimpse into the full scope of his groundbreaking career.
Among the rare and remastered tracks featured is 'No More Words' - originally released in 1991, newly reissued on vinyl and available digitally for the first time. A foundational track in the Detroit techno canon, 'No More Words' captures the emotive synths and tight grooves of Craig’s sound that would soon resonate across dance floors worldwide. Its reissue marks a moment of reflection on the genre’s roots and evolution.
Another remastered track from Craig’s extensive archive is 'The Truth', a deep cut from Craig’s discography under his Designer Music alias, now widely available for the first time a quarter-century after its original release. The film’s end credits are scored by the contemplative 'Meditation 4', an ambient production previously only available on Craig's 2013 'Masterpiece' compilation CD for Ministry of Sound.
Iconic remixes such as his Grammy-nominated rework of Junior Boys’ 'Like A Child' is included alongside lesser-known but equally epic remixes such as his sublime 2012 mix of Slam’s 'Azure', which is employed for the film’s title credits and had previously only seen a limited release. Also featured across the soundtrack’s multiple formats are iconic Carl Craig productions under his 69, Psyche/BFC and Innerzone Orchestra aliases, and collaborations with Moritz von Oswald and Francesco Tristano. Oswald and Francesco Tristano.
The soundtrack serves as a companion to the new documentary directed by Jean-Cosme Delaloye and produced by Sovereign Films, which follows Carl’s journey from Detroit’s middle-class roots to global stardom, set against the city’s decline and recovery. The film explores his work at the intersection of music, art, and culture, from his collaborations with Bottega Veneta to his Party/After-Party installation, acquired by the Detroit Institute of Arts and exhibited at MOCA Los Angeles. MOCA Los Angeles.
Featuring interviews with Gilles Peterson, Roni Size, Laurent Garnier, DJ Minx, Kenny Larkin, Moritz von Oswald, and James Lavelle, Desire highlights Carl’s championing of Detroit’s Black creative excellence and the often-overlooked African-American roots of electronic music.
STAFF COMMENTS
Barry says: One of the pioneers of the second wave of Detroit techno, Carl Craig has inspired a brilliant documentary on his work, and this is the soundtrack for said doc. With a number of unreleased Craig works under his own name, as well as a superb remix and a few alternate versions of artists on Planet E.
TRACK LISTING
LP Tracklisting:
1. Carl Craig - No More Words
2. Slam - Azure (Carl Craig C2 Remix)
3. Carl Craig - At Les
4. Psyche/BFC - Galaxy
5. 69 - Desire
6. Innerzone Orchestra - Bug In The Bassbin
7. Designer Music - The Truth
8. Junior Boys - Like A Child (Carl Craig Remix)
CD Tracklisting:
1. Slam - Azure (Carl Craig C2 Remix)
2. Carl Craig - At Les
3. Carl Craig - No More Words
4. Psyche/BFC - Galaxy
5. 69 - Desire
6. Innerzone Orchestra - Bug In The Bassbin
7. Designer Music - The Truth
8. Carl Craig Presents Versus - Sandstorms (Beatless Version)
9. Junior Boys - Like A Child (Carl Craig Remix)
10. Carl Craig - Meditation Four
