Carl Craig, the legendary Detroit techno producer and visionary behind Planet E Communications, has released a captivating soundtrack album titled Desire: The Carl Craig Story. The release serves as the official soundtrack to the documentary directed by Jean-Cosme Delaloye, which chronicles Carl Craig’s inspiring journey from Detroit’s middle-class roots to global stardom. The music, spanning his many aliases like 69, Psyche/BFC, and Innerzone Orchestra, highlights his pioneering influence in electronic music along with remastered and rare tracks that give a deep insight into the breadth of his career.
Released digitally on June 20, 2025, with vinyl and CD versions following shortly after, the album showcases a rich selection of tracks that blend techno, house, and ambient music styles. Among the standout pieces is the newly remastered “No More Words,” a foundational track in the Detroit techno canon originally from 1991, now available on vinyl and digitally for the first time. The soundtrack also features “The Truth,” a deep cut from his Designer Music alias, as well as iconic remixes like his Grammy-nominated rework of Junior Boys’ “Like A Child” and his sublime 2012 remix of Slam’s “Azure”.
The release is closely tied to the documentary “Desire: The Carl Craig Story,” which explores not only his music career but also his creative intersections with art and culture. The film delves into Craig’s collaborations with fashion house Bottega Veneta and his Party/After-Party installation, which was acquired by the Detroit Institute of Arts and exhibited at MOCA Los Angeles. Featuring interviews with notable figures such as Gilles Peterson, Roni Size, Laurent Garnier, DJ Minx, and more, the documentary emphasizes Carl Craig’s role in championing Detroit’s Black creative excellence and illuminating the African-American roots of electronic music.
This diverse tracklist offers a sonic journey through Carl Craig’s vast and evolving soundscape, making it a must-have for fans of techno, ambient, and electronic music.
Carl Craig’s Desire: The Carl Craig Story is more than an album; it is a tribute to his monumental influence on electronic music and an exploration of his artistic legacy. Available now digitally and on vinyl, it invites listeners to experience the depth of a true pioneer’s career.
