(**1/2) 

If you thought electronic music was created in Europe, think again. It might be more popular on that continent, but it was invented by some Black brothers from Detroit. And one of the first disciples of the genre is the well-known DJ, musician Carl Craig—aka the Mikes Davis of techno. 

One person’s niche music is another person’s complete immersion. And so, Craig, at a young age and against his parents’ better judgement, went all in. He used the resources around him to create the sounds, tunes and beats affiliated with the electronic music genre. He utilized computers, turntables, LPs, electric musical instruments (he preferred guitar), synthesizers, circuitry based-music technology … Craig would employ what it took to get to his groove. He’d play his music in clubs around Detroit and then clubs around the world. Crowds danced to his music until the wee hours. Similar to the house music craze, but in its own category. His tune “Desire” became his most hailed composition.  

There’s a steadiness to the craft. A spontaneous magic too. Craig says, “I always wanted to improvise.” And as his creativity and skills grew, he became a top dog and pioneer in the second wave of Detroit techno musicians, in the ‘80s and ‘90s. He slowly built an international reputation as one of the genre’s principals and innovators, especially after he opened his record company Planet E Communications. In the film, when he isn’t deep in his swagger, he respectfully credits the first pioneers of the craft: Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson. Atkins, as Little Richard would say about himself concerning rock music, was the “originator.”  

Documentarian Jean-Cosme Delaloye (Harley) follows Craig around like a roadie. The director of photography Fábio Erdos and cameraman Gabriel Bonnefoy are there at 5am when Craig is trying to wind down from an all-night gig. They light and capture the techno heads (Gilles Peterson, Moodymann, Laurent Garnier, DJ Minx) who sing Craig’s praises. While in the editing room, Kenneth Wachtel sliced and diced the footage down to 90 instructive minutes. If the ultimate goal is to give techno fans their due, as one of their heroes gets his flowers, this film is a success. If the assignment was to expand the music doc genre, that doesn’t happen.  

Though this perceptive doc does a good hard sell, this niche music industry bio might not touch every music lover, or every filmgoer. That said, this is also a great opportunity for all to learn more about how the city of Detroit and how it has given birth to musical genres (Motown, techno), genius musicians (Marvin Gay to Carl Craig) and earned a coveted place as one of America’s esteemed birthplaces of music.  

Now, techno music has two strong advocates. Carl Craig and this informative documentary. That combination may just be enough to help this groove-filled music enlist more fans while giving credit to its originators.

For information about the Tribeca Film Festival go to: https://www.tribecafilm.com
Visit Film Critic Dwight Brown at DwightBrownInk.com.