Late Nights

In 2011, Detroit hero Carl Craig celebrates the 20th anniversary of his Planet E label’s 1st release with a compilation aptly titled 20 F@#&ING Years – We Ain’t Dead Yet. The digital-only compilation, set to be released on February 22nd, will feature original work from Planet E artist such as Recloose, Martin Buttrich, Kenny Larkin, Basic Channel and of course, the man himself. Fans will also be invited to participate by voting for which tracks out of the compilation will be selected for a limited edition vinyl-only release set for June 2011.

Planet E, however, won’t stop the double decade celebrations at that. Starting in March, we will see monthly digital and vinyl remix packages from the renowned label’s back catalogue, with works from Luciano, Ricardo Villalobos, Dubfire, Richie Hawtin, Loco Dice, Seth Troxler, Kevin Saunderson, Francois K, Mad Mike Banks and Dennis Ferrer, amongst others.

A Planet E world tour is also in the works, where Carl will play along side a variety of world class guest DJs.

***

From earworm: Q&A with Carl Craig

Who or what has been the biggest influence?

The Electrifying Mojo is a huge influence on me, it was going to school by listening to the radio, he’s like Detroit’s John Peel.

What’s the first record you bought?

Ohio players ‘Honey’

Which one do you enjoy the most, Djing or producing?

I enjoy them both a lot, when I’m on the road too much I wish I was at home in the studio and when producing I wish I was DJing.

What do you see as your main strengths as a producer?

My imagination.

Who is your all time musical hero?

Quincy Jones.

What’s the biggest crowd you’ve played to?

Montreal jazz festival, it was outside and it was in middle of city, 100 thousand.

What inspires you?

Fast cars.

Are you afraid of piracy?

I’ve been pirated so much I’m more upset about it than afraid. But we’re all pirates.

Where’s your favourite place to play

I love everywhere.

***

20 F@#&ING Years – We Aren’t Dead Yet is out on Planet E on February 22nd, 2011.

Links:

Planet E | Carl Craig

[earworm]

• 

For the latest installment of his Sleeper Wakes series, Detroit-based Techno producer Jeff Mills breaks ground again. Out now on Axis Records is The Occurrence – Sleeper Wakes. What is so special about that release? I’ll tell you what. The Occurrence has an interesting way to add to the ongoing CD vs Vinyl debate: it was released on both. On the same disc.

Jeff Mills’ The Occurrence is available in VinylDisc format, a CD/Vinyl hybrid that can be played either on a turntable or in a CD player. Launched in 2007, this format was developed by German company Optimal Media Production who holds the exclusive patent and manufacturing rights.

It's a CD? It's a vinyl? No! It's both!

No stranger to innovation and ‘out-of-the-box’ ideas, Mills’ Sleeper Wakes event series have been known to feature a rather unusual DJ set up: the mixer and CD players built into the stage floor, with Mills literally kneeling before the audience in order to perform. Like the idea or not, no one can ever call Jeff Mills unoriginal.

Sometimes it's the priest who needs to show devotion

Relevant links:

Sleeper Wakes

Jeff Mills

[via]

•