Carl Craig Curates 30 Tunes to Celebrate 30 Years of Planet E Communications

Planet E Communications reaches its massive, three-decade milestone and Carl Craig crafted a compilation to showcase its catalog.

The deep dance music history found in Detroit is one that is only rivaled by that of Chicago and New York. While house and disco reigned supreme in those two cities, something special was brewing in Michigan as it fostered a home for what would inevitably come to be called techno. One artist who helped pioneer this movement in the late ’80s and early ’90s was Carl Craig, and with his imprint Planet E Communications, he’s only further shown off the immense musical talent coming out of Detroit.

This year, Carl Craig isn’t just celebrating the return of festivals like Movement Detroit after its pandemic slumber, but a major 30-year milestone for Planet E Communications as well. To honor the legacy of this imprint and showcase how it constantly reimagines the future of dance music with its catalog, the label boss curated a special compilation dubbed Planet E 30 which features 30 tracks that have helped define the imprint.

Planet E 30 kicks off with a flurry of iconic tunes including Paperclip People’s “Throw,” Psyche’s “From Beyond,” and two tracks from Innerzone Orchestra – “Bug In The Bass Bin” and “People Make The World Go Round.” This orchestra was led by Carl Craig himself as he explored the realm of experimental jazz, so definitely give these two a listen if you’re unfamiliar with the project. Other unique offerings on this compilation include The Detroit Experiment’s “Space Odyssey,” which saw Carl Craig work with Marcus Belgrave, saxophonist Bennie Maupin, violinist Regina Carter, and pianist Geri Allen.

There are a plethora of amazing tunes on the second half of the compilation as well. This includes Jon Dixon’s “When Belgrave Met Banks” and Waajeed’s “Mother” along with DJ Minx’s “Do It All Night” and Ataxia’s “Oblivion.” Carl Craig’s version of “Attenuator” also finds a home on this compilation and is yet another iconic tune that needs to be added to your collection if you haven’t yet given it a listen.

Planet E 30 is currently available on Bandcamp and Amazon Music, with streaming platforms to come. Grab your copy and explore the sounds that have permeated this legendary label in the dance music scene!

Stream Planet E 30 on Bandcamp:
Planet E 30 by Various Artists

Planet E 30 – Tracklist

Paperclip People – Throw

Psyche – From Beyond

Innerzone Orchestra – Bug In The Bass Bin

Innerzone Orchestra – People Make The World Go Round

69 – If Mojo Was A.M.

Designer Music – Problemz

Urban Tribe – Covert Action

The Detroit Experiment – Space Odyssey

Niko Marks – Truly Something

Tres Demented – Demented Drums2

Carl Craig – Televised Green Smoke

Paperclip People – 4 My Peepz (Shot)

The Detroit Experiment – Baby Needs New Shoes

Carls Davis – Sketches pt2

69 – My Machines

Paperclip People – The Climax

Psyche / BFC – Neurotic Behavior

69 – Desire

Terrence Parker – Finally (Planet-e Mix)

Matom – Experiment 7 Variation 2

Fabrice Lig – Galactic Mission 2702

Vince Watson – It’s Not Over

Carl Craig – At Les

Niko Marks – Soul Meter

Waajeed – Mother

Jon Dixon – When Belgrave Met Banks

Klauss & Craig – Repeat After Me

Tom Flynn – Anna

Eduardo De La Calle – Phason Jazz

Greg Gow – Lantana

Ataxia – Oblivion

Carl Craig & Moritz von Oswald – Attenuator (Carl Craig Version)

DJ Minx – Do It All Night

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