Obscure | Contents | Feedback

At least that's how style bible The Face saw it prior to the release of his most recent album 'More Songs About Food and Revolutionary Art' last year. Craig occupies a unique position in the dance/electronic music universe, as a student of Derrick May, guardian of old-school experimentation and arguably the most consistent shining star in the Detroit galaxy, his every release is subject to enormous expectations.

Goldie, 4 Hero and Shut Up And Dance have all acknowledged Craig's 'Please Stand By' and 'Bug In The Bassbin' as tunes that opened up possibilities and inspired the emerging drum'n'bass scene as far back as 91/92. Photek felt so strongly about the latter that he couldn't even attempt to remix it when offered! House and techno heads find common ground with Craigs selection for the Planet E label and either as Paperclip People, 69, Psyche, BFC or Innerzone, his own twelves have repeatedly murdered the dancefloor. Releases like 'Throw', 'The Climax', 'Oscillator' and 'At Les' have all not only succeeded as genuine club classics but they have also shaped the way for new directions in dance music. Reports of the Innerzone Orchestra's live excursions which include Sun Ra's old drummer suggest that Craig has yet more revolutionary business up his sleeve.

While most view the world of remixes as either a cash cow or a career enhancer Craig believes that they are his forte allowing him to show the world what he hears and emphasises in previously recorded material. Few producers could re-rub Tori Amos and Bryan (BT) Transeau and walk away with their integrity intact but Craig is cut from a different cloth to most of today's bandwaggonist remixologists. His rework of Incognito's 'Out Of The Storm' stands as a smouldering downbeat classic while his conversion of Maurizio's 'Domina' reveals a level of soulful techno that has yet to be bettered.

Craig's reputation for perfectionism and innovation is also extended to his time behind the decks, clubbers used to the standard of mediocre international DJs are in for a shock. His DJ`ing so impressed the German K7 label that they asked him to be one of the earliest contributors to their massively successful DJ Kicks series. The resultant CD, though no longer a new release, hints at the depth and timelessness of the music he selects as well as the empathy with which he mixes.

CARL CRAIG - SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER

*WELLINGTON *STUDIONINE

LIMITED TO 400 ADVANCE TICKETS FROM FLIPSIDE RECORDS /JIVE JUNKIES /KRAZY LOUNGE