Scan 7

DJ Surgeon, complete with powder-blue scrubs, revitalized the crowd with quick cutting and scratching. He was obviously having fun. Just when he had everyone at his fingertips, two masked members of Scan 7 emerged and started playing fierce rhythm tracks on a bank of drum machines. Occasionally synths chimed in with spacey sounds. The beat arrangements were varied but unrelenting. This was the purest, truest techno of the day, and the packed crowd certainly appreciated it. They only played for an hour or so, but what an hour!.

DETROIT - Cratesavers Muzik exposed: Detroit's top-secret electronic music label, Cratesaver Muzik, has unmasked www.cratesavers.com their website. The label is dedicated to promoting and preserving the vinyl art of DJing.

Composed of various resources the site includes artist bios, discography, and a photo gallery. In an undiscriminating fashion, the online store handles their releases on vinyl, CD and MP3 formats. Their will also be a forum section for registered members.

Cratesaver Muzik was founded by two of Detroit electronics music hardest working producers and performers. Between the two, they have over 30 years of experience making records in the industry. During this time, the two observed the proper way to manage a label. 

Trackmasta Lou, of Scan 7, is one of the founders. He has released records on Underground Resistance, Tresor, Soma, Fcom, End to End, Elypsia, Btrax Records and Pow Wow Records.  Scan 7’s EP “I am From Detroit," with the B-side "You Have the Right," were on display at The Detroit Historical Museum. Located in “Detroit’s Gift to the World" The artifact is included in the world’s first techno exhibit.

One of the Direct Beat musical pioneers Posatronix,  former producer and member of AUX 88 aka BJ, is the co-creator of Cratesavers Muzik. As a studio-rat he pegged away various projects including composing remixes for artists like Underground Resistance and Laurent Garnier. His resume includes multiple releases on Direct Beat for AUX88 and Posatronix, to include Underground Resistance and Puzzle Box Records.

In 1999 the initial idea of Cratesavers was born.  The name came about as such: “There were all these DJ’s playing wack records, and there were basically no good records in the crates,” Lou reflected. “That’s when I was like, ‘We need to save these brother’s crates.’” In 2005, longtime affiliates Lou and BJ spawned their own label.

“Who you gonna call?” BJ asks. And both Lou and BJ yell in unison “Cratesavers.” “These are the records that are good enough to put into your crate that you will be taking out with you,” BJ continued. “These are your A-list records.”

“We are trying to preserve the art of having a crate,” Lou said, “and the actual culture of DJing and digging for records. We like the old school feel of street teams and the intimacy of flyering.”  All performers are required to perform with vinyl or on analog instruments. Visit www.cratesavers.com for more info The vinyl is the main necessity of each performer, in addition to talent of course.

In response to deficient armchair DJs, Cratesavers Muzik requires all of their signed talent to perform in analog. It’s the preferred medium contributing to the quality of the performance. Allowing the artist to accommodate to the audience’s response, adapt and then connect spiritually with the listeners.

Cratesavers Muzik is strictly for seasoned DJs who have accepted the mission to overthrow the collective of weak track dropping DJs. Refusing to pigeonhole their sound selection; Cratesavers accepts demos of all electronic genres. The minimal requirements are good music, and the talent can play in live analog.

--Jean Johnson
Special Correspondent: Cratesavers Muzik