Inside the Mind of Craig Alexander
by Melvin G | Published May 2007 | Features Archives
DEEP HOUSE HAS ALWAYS been enigmatic, its definition contingent upon where in Chicago (or the world, for that matter) one grew up. In the Chi, Southsiders might invoke the Philly Sound or R&B/Disco grooves of the '70s and early '80s to help explain what Deep House means to them. Conversely, someone from the northside might make the case that Masters at Work and the like symbolizes the deeper end of the dance music spectrum. This is not absolute, however, as there surely are some northside folks who are drawn to Prelude masterpieces as if they were new. A turntable practitioner would have to be of great skill and eclecticism to mix music from differing genres and time periods, all the while keeping it deep.
Craig Alexander is such a practitioner.
Born and raised on the southside of Chicago, Craig's name has been synonymous with Deep Disco and Deep House for decades. He, along with a myriad of others, was instrumental in bringing to light in the '90s the raw, rare groove side of Deep House.
And whether it was throwing parties with his then business partner Jeff Johnson at AKA's Night Club or throwing some of the wildest soireés at Private World lofts with Cheez and Joezana under the cognomen of Philly Groove Entertainment or traveling the world spinning raves and things, Craig has left many a stamp on the House music scene.
Now he is poised to rock the party in yet another mode: as a producer.
5 Magazine was able to yank Craig from his frenetic schedule long enough to rap a tad about the music and its forecast.
5 MAGAZINE: How long have you been DJing, and what put the bug in you to start?
CRAIG ALEXANDER: For twenty-four years now. A guy named Tim King lived next door to me and used to spin. That got me interested. I've been spinning ever since.
5 MAGAZINE: You've been spinning for some time, so has your style changed much over the years?
CRAIG: Yes, it has changed a few times. I started playing disco and classics. Then, once I started producing, I began playing more dub and tracky at raves back in the '90s. Now I play more soulful House, just because it's more elegant and mature to me.
5 MAGAZINE: Were you around music much growing up?
CRAIG: Yeah, more so in the church, though. I was an accomplished percussionist by the age of 12, with several trophies from competitions. I also recorded with gospel greats Albertina Walker and The Barrett Sisters, for those who follow the gospel circuit.
5 MAGAZINE: Who were some of the DJ's that influenced your DJ style the most, early on in your career?
CRAIG: Ron Hardy, Frankie Knuckles, Lil Louis and Lee Collins.
5 MAGAZINE: Those are some of the best. Tell us, what do you think made these guys unique, and what made you gravitate towards them.
CRAIG: Ron Hardy because of the energy and spontaneity he had, Frankie because of his programming and mixing skills, Lil Louis because he brought class and style to the game, and Lee Collins for leaving no cut untouched. If Lee was playing, class was in session, even to this day.
5 MAGAZINE: What prompted you to want to don the hat of producer and not just DJ?
CRAIG: My boy Isaiah (DJ Rush) was making some bananas tracks that were obscure to me like my disco music was, so I borrowed his Yamaha RX-7 and started tracking.
5 MAGAZINE: Who are some of the producers/musicians you have worked with?
CRAIG: Glenn Underground, Anthony Nicholson, DJ Rush and Paul Johnson.
5 MAGAZINE: Who are some of the producers you are feeling at the moment?
CRAIG: Louie Vega, Anthony Nicholson, Vick Lavender and Ian Friday.
5 MAGAZINE: Is there a constant, central theme to your productions, or do they reflect how you're feeling at a particular time?
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