CARL CRAIG, BASIC SOUL UNIT and DINAMO AZARI at Sunnyside Pavilion, Saturday, July 16. Rating: NNNN
Carl Craig fans have come to expect the unexpected from the Detroit techno veteran. His recorded output has ranged from deep house and ambient to electronic jazz and banging techno, and his performances can fall anywhere along that spectrum. His eclecticism is sometimes frustrating for those that prefer a specific aspect of his sound, but exciting for anyone open to surprises.
For his headlining appearance at Sunnyside Pavilion as part of Sunset Sessions’ 17th season of summer outdoor dance parties, he bounced back and forth between tough minimal techno beats and shamelessly nostalgic melodic crescendos. Few serious techno DJs could get away with mixing in the Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) or the a cappella from Soul II Soul’s Back To Life, but Craig approached those moments with the confidence and control to pull them off flawlessly. His habit of playfully chatting with the crowd over the mic reinforced the mischievous attitude that came across through his mixing.
A large cast of local DJs helmed the decks for the daylight hours of the party, with Basic Soul Unit turning in a particularly memorable set that blended acid influences, soulful house and dirty disco. Dinamo Azari performed a high energy live show, accompanied by a stage full of guest vocalists and vogue dancers. The performance occasionally threatened to descend into chaos, but also successfully got the crowd hyped up for Craig’s set.
benjaminb@nowtoronto.com | @benjaminboles
