Carl Craig - Detroit Love Vol. 2 (2LP) [Planet E Communications]

Detroit Love presents the second release on its eponymous label, a collaborative venture between Planet E and !K7 aiming to capture the essence of Carl Craig’s beloved event series.

Following last year’s inaugural mix from Stacey Pullen, the second entry has been deftly compiled by Carl Craig himself. Throughout a haze-wrapped, funk-driven journey he dives into the spirit of his home city, championing the past and future of the Motor City in an expertly curated mix.

Featuring a blend of 90s gems and brand new exclusives, Carl’s track selections forge a timeless vision of quintessential Detroit music. Included in the mix are two rare early 90s classics from Ectomorph and Rhythim Is Rhythim, neither of which has been reissued on vinyl for decades, plus a 2015 collaboration between Carl Craig and Green Velvet, never before released on vinyl.

New material comes in the shape of an exclusive C2 edit of DJ Minx, another exclusive from Claude VonStroke, tracks from TV Lounge affiliates Ataxia and Mister Joshooa and unreleased music from Matthew Dear under his new Brain alias, to name a few.

While Carl’s name may be emblazoned on the mix, Detroit itself takes center stage. The number of exclusive tracks reflects his commitment to creating a unique listening experience, but the spirit of the city shines through the diversity of his selections, ranging from modern classical crossovers to American garage rock to a healthy dose of soul-infused house and techno.

Carl launched the Detroit Love parties in 2014 as a way to represent the city’s heritage around the world. Expanding on this mission to the label, Detroit Love Mixed By Carl Craig is a passionate tribute to his hometown’s musical legacy.