Detroit’s electronic music visionary Carl Craig has had his eyes firmly focused on techno’s future ever since he first emerged from the Motor City in the late 80s. But in 2011, he’s taking some time to look back on one of his biggest achievements – the 20th anniversary of his esteemed Planet E label. Easily one of the most important labels devoted to the art form, Planet E’s commitment to pushing the envelope of techno and its many divergent spinoffs has been evident from it’s very first release. This Friday, February 18th, the year-long anniversary for the label begins at New York’s District 36, as Carl Craig, Derrick May and Paul Woolford kick things off with a night of cutting-edge music on the massive D36 sound system. We are very honored to be a part of what promise to be a very special night of music.
The year-long 20th anniversary of Planet E will encompass all facets of electronic music. Beginning with the District 36 kickoff, there will be events in Berlin, London, Austria, Paris, Ireland and beyond. Like the D36 night, the anniversary parties will feature Carl Craig performing with Planet E label artists and affiliated friends and collaborators. Widening the scope, on February 22nd, a 25-track digital compilation will be released, appropriately titled “Twenty F@#&ing Years – We Ain’t Dead Yet”. The compilation with include some of the label’s best-known releases, as well as some of its more overlooked gems. Planet E will also be reissuing a series of key singles, with fresh remixes from some of today’s most important producers accompanying the originals. The first release is Recloose’s 2000 collaboration with Dwele “Can’t Take It”, featuring new mixes from Cadenza’s Luciano and deep house maestro Milton Jackson. Future remixes from Ricardo Villalobos, Richie Hawtin, Francois K and Mike Banks will be released throughout the year.
The lineup for the District 36 kickoff party speaks for itself. Planet E label boss Carl Craig will be playing the prime time set, his third appearance for Basic NYC in the past year. One of the world’s most in-demand DJs, Craig’s seamless fusion of all strains of dance music have earned him a rightful reputation as a daring selector with an unquestioned ability to turn a dancefloor upside down. Following him will be fellow Detroit pioneer Derrick May, the Transmat label head and producer of the epic “Strings of Life”, “Nude Photo” and other seminal Detroit releases. May’s unique, relentless DJ style – a flurry of activity behind the decks, furiously cutting between two different tracks – leaves crowds breathless and demanding more. Opening for Craig will be Planet E artist Paul Woolford, who is making his first US appearance on the night in several years. Named by DJ Magazine as the British “DJ of the Year” for 2010, Woolford is a fixture on the world’s finest labels, a resident at the legendary “We Love Sundays” party at Space, Ibiza, and will be releasing his first Planet E release in March.
District 36 is New York’s newest destination for die-hard dance fanatics, and this is one of the most ambitious and nights they have featured yet. With its jaw-dropping Gary Stewart sound system, which was tuned this past week by Gary himself, the club will be getting a workout from this trio of techno titans. Opening the night will be Basic NYC’s Sleepy & Boo, whose events at District 36’s have been some of the club’s most buzzed-about nights yet. The duo will be getting the party started with their own set of deep grooves, and are starting a run of dynamic events at District 36 that will feature M.A.N.D.Y.’s Philipp Jung and Troy Pierce on February 26th, and Axis Records’ Jeff Mills on March 5th.
Basic NYC & District 36 Present Planet E 20th Anniversary
Carl Craig, Derrick May and Paul Woolford – Friday, February 18th, 2011
District 36 • 29 West 36th Street Btwn. 5th and 6th Avenues
For guestlist: email rsvp@basicnyc.com
Presale tickets at http://www.wantickets.com/basicnyc