New Jersey-born house music legend Junior Sanchez is back with a brand new remix of his track “Art-O-Fact”, teaming up with longtime friend and Detroit techno icon Carl Craig for the Detroit Remix. The track will be released on Planet E Communications on September 19, followed by two additional mixes on October 11, which include a ‘Beatless’ Mix and a ‘Bass’ Mix. These unique mixes divide the original into distinct elements, focusing separately on melody and rhythm.
Originally inspired by Detroit’s influential music scene, Sanchez brought “Art-O-Fact” to Planet E with the city’s legacy in mind. Sanchez expressed his deep admiration for Carl Craig, Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, and Juan Atkins, stating, “I let my inspiration guide me, and I thought about that city—what it meant to me and what techno meant to my heart.”
Now, Carl Craig has jumped onto the remix, enriching Sanchez’s already eclectic synth work with a bold, futuristic sound. The Detroit Remix is a fusion of gritty basslines and shadowy synths, showcasing the creative chemistry between two dance music pioneers and paying homage to Detroit’s lasting impact on electronic music.
Earlier this year, Junior Sanchez was also featured in the documentary Desire: The Carl Craig Story, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film explores Carl Craig’s career and the history of techno within the context of the contributions of Black musicians to the genre.
Sanchez’s legendary career in house music traces back to his days as a New York City DJ in the 1990s, where he started spinning at clubs like Limelight and Club USA at just 13 years old. By 15, he had released his first track on Strictly Rhythm, a major imprint in house music. Over the years, Sanchez has collaborated with artists such as Madonna, Ariana Grande, Good Charlotte, and Azealia Banks. His own labels, Cube Recordings and Brobot Records, have put out releases by renowned acts like Felix Da Housecat, Sébastien Léger, and Steve Mac.
Planet E Communications, led by Carl Craig, has been a crucial player in the electronic music scene for over 30 years. Known for its innovative and boundary-pushing releases, the label recently released projects such as the Attenuator jazz fusion from Carl Craig and Moritz Von Oswald, DJ Holographic’s multi-genre Detroit Love Vol. 5, and the debut electronic album from Mexican-American percussionist Francisco Mora-Catlett. Planet E continues to champion the creativity and unity that Detroit techno represents.
Be sure to catch the “Art-O-Fact (Detroit Remix)” on September 19, and stay tuned for the ‘Beatless’ and ‘Bass’ mixes, dropping on October 11 in both digital and vinyl formats.
Junior Sanchez: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube
Carl Craig: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | TikTok | SoundCloud
Planet E: YouTube | Website
