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Aaron Carl

Real Name:
Aaron-Carl Ragland
Profile:
It is a task Aaron-Carl has done consistently since 1996. As one of Detroit’s most in-demand producers & sought-after remixers, his signature sound crosses genres -- from soulful, gospel-infused House, to the dirtiest ghettotech anthems.

Armed with little more than a cheap keyboard & a four-track cassette tape recorder, Aaron-Carl proved early on that he could hold his own in Detroit's Electronic Music Scene. When a demo tape landed into the hands of Underground Resistance's "Mad" Mike Banks, Aaron was quickly signed to Banks' Soul City record label. Even then, Aaron refused to be boxed into one genre. His first two records were released at the same time: "Crucified," a soulful deep house vocal, and "Wash It," a cheeky underground club banger. While both records received great critical acclaim, it was "Down" (an explicit electro-house track on the B-side of "Wash It") that became -- and remains one of Aaron's biggest records to date.

Ron Murphy (NSC Mastering) and “Mad” Mike Banks were strong mentors during that time. “It wasn’t enough for me to write great songs,” Aaron says. “They taught me how to make great RECORDS…” Aaron compares their guidance to boot camp. “They saw my potential, and wouldn’t accept anything less than my best.” He describes, “Mike held meetings with all the producers on the label. He’d play the hottest tracks at the time, and would challenge us to go home and do better.”

When the opportunity came to remix label mate Theresa Stringer’s “Round and Round” single, Aaron jumped at the chance. Though it was very first official remix, it earned Aaron a reputation for what has become his trademark “Wallshaker” beats.

Aaron-Carl launched his own Wallshaker Music imprint in 1998 – named after his final 12-inch on Soul City. “Closer” – Aaron’s first Wallshaker project, was licensed by Whirling Records (US), but was never released. His third single, “My House,” caught the attention of Philadelphia house label, Ovum Recordings. The song got licensed and went on to become Aaron’s first Billboard Top 40 Dance/Club hit.

Cementing his powerhouse status in Detroit Electronic Music, Aaron-Carl has remixed some of the Motor City’s biggest artists, like Underground Resistance, SCAN 7, Kelli Hand & AUX 88. He has also remixed International artists like Chicago House legend Dajae, Icelandic techno stars Gus Gus, and African jazz great Manu Dibango, to name a few. Aaron’s productions have graced various labels throughout the world, including Subject Detroit, Metroplex, Sirkus and Universal France. He has also been remixed by some of the industry’s top producers, like Ewan Pearson, Doc Martin and Grammy award winner Peter Rauhofer (Club 69).

Two of Aaron's deep house tracks -- "Sky" (a tribute to his late father) and "Oasis" are featured in the internationally acclaimed House music documentary, "Maestro" by Josell Ramos.

Aaron also holds his own within the Hip Hop community -- particularly among the LGBT Hip Hop circles. Most notably producing hits for legendary rapper Johnny Dangerous, his remix of the infamous "Topsy Turvy" - in which he makes a cameo appearance -- is featured in the Alex Hinton documentary, "Pick up the Mic."

Owning and overseeing the successful Wallshaker Music label plus heading his own music publishing company, Symphonic Storm Music Publishing, Aaron-Carl proves himself as a definite force to be reckoned with – and shows no signs of slowing down.

Aaron-Carl is currently the host of weekly Internet Radio Show, THE W.A.R.M.T.H. SESSIONS, Fridays @ 7PM EST on WARMTH313.COM.
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Discography

Releases:
Down (3 versions)   Metroplex 1998
My House (12")   Ovum Recordings 2000
The Answer / Down (12")   Electrofunk Records 2002
21 Positions (12")   Motor City Electro Company 2004
Crucified (2 versions)   Millions Of Moments 2007
Sky - Remix (12")   Superb Entertainment Records 2007
Wallshaker (3 versions)   Millions Of Moments 2007
Oasis (12")   Superb Entertainment Records 2008
Remixes:
Hardlife (2 versions) Hardlife (Aaron Carl R... Underground Resistance 2001
Depth Charge 5 (CD, Mixed, Comp) Hardlife (Aaron Carl R... Submerge Recordings 2002
Live @ UR Party 2002 (CD, Mixed, Comp, Ltd) Hardlife (Aaron Carl R... Underground Resistance 2003
Sweat Volume One (CD) Round & Round (Aaron C... Sweat Records 2003
Remixes (12" + 12", S/Sided) Rated A.U.X (Wallshake... Puzzlebox Records 2007
Safe And Sound Remixe Vol. 1 (12") $26 (Aaron Carl Mix) Kompakt 2008
Production:
Do You Want My Body? / When We Fuck! (CD, Maxi) Do You Want My Body? (... Juiced Up Records 2007
Appears On:
Electro Boogie (CD, Comp, Mixed, Jew) Down (The Original Ver... Studio !K7, Rough Trade Germany 1999
Global Underground 015: Uruguay (2xCD, Ltd) Dance Naked (James Hol... Boxed 2000
Small Change (Limited Edition Sampler) (12", Smplr, Ltd) Crucified (Maas 'Michi... Soma Quality Recordings 2000
Small Change (CD, Album, Comp) Crucified (Maas Chi-Li... Soma Quality Recordings 2001
World Service (2xCD, Comp, Mixed, Dig) No No React 2001
Blueprints - Volume Two (CD, Mixed, Comp) Crucified (Maas Chi-Li... Slip 'n' Slide Blue 2002
Hidden Treasures (CD, Comp, Mixed) Crucified (Maas 'Michi... Soma Quality Recordings 2002
Female Pressure Presents Acid Maria & Electric Indigo - Welttour (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Down True People 2003
The Godfather Chronicles - The Ghetto Tech Sound Of Detroit (CD, Mixed + DVD, Mixed) No Bassball Music 2004
Untitled (12") Sky Mahogani Music 2005
The Detroit Connection Pt.3: For The Freaks (CD, Comp, Mixed) 21 Positions Matrix Musik 2008
Tracks Appear On:
Blueprint (CD, Comp, Mixed, Promo) Down Erotic City Communications 1998
Electro Boogie (Comp) (2 versions) Down (The Original Ver... Studio !K7 ... 1999
Heavenly Presents Live At The Social Volume 3 (2xCD, Mixed, Comp) Down React 1999
Professional DJ's Volumen 2 (4xCD, Comp, Mixed, Ltd) Dance Naked Tempo Music 1999
7 Live #2 (CD, Comp, Mixed, Promo) My House (Testimonial ... DMC Publishing 2000
Global Underground 015: Uruguay (2xCD, Ltd) Dance Naked (James Hol... Boxed 2000
Small Change (Limited Edition Sampler) (12", Smplr, Ltd) Crucified (Maas 'Michi... Soma Quality Recordings 2000
Teckno.com Version 6.0 (CD, Comp) Dance Naked Airplay Records 2000
68 Beats Mixed By Robbie Rivera (CD, Mixed, Comp) Dance Naked (Ambassado... Container Records (US) 2001
AMbassador Presents The Real Sound Of Amsterdam (2xCD, Comp, P/Mixed) Dance Naked (James Hol... Kickin Records 2001
Dark Drums 2 (CD, Comp, Mixed) Dance Naked (Club 69 A... Bliss Productions 2001
Headstart Mix (CD, Comp, Promo, Mixed, Ltd) My House (Testimonial) Ovum Recordings 2001
Small Change (CD, Album, Comp) Crucified (Maas Chi-Li... Soma Quality Recordings 2001
World Service (2xCD, Comp, Mixed, Dig) No No React 2001
Blueprints - Volume Two (CD, Mixed, Comp) Crucified (Maas Chi-Li... Slip 'n' Slide Blue 2002
Hidden Treasures (CD, Comp, Mixed) Crucified (Maas 'Michi... Soma Quality Recordings 2002
NRJ Extravadance 6 (2xCD) Dance Naked (AMbassado... Kaliber Records 2002
Sounds You Can Feel... (CD, Comp, Mixed) Down Classic 2002
Female Pressure Presents Acid Maria & Electric Indigo - Welttour (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Down True People 2003
Slip 'n' Slide Accapellas Volume 2 (12") Dance Naked (Club 69 A... Slip 'n' Slide 2003
Sweat Volume One (CD) Wall Shaker Sweat Records 2003
The Godfather Chronicles - The Ghetto Tech Sound Of Detroit (CD, Mixed + DVD, Mixed) No Bassball Music 2004
Maestro (Comp) (2 versions) Oasis Canyon International ... 2005
Untitled (12") Sky Mahogani Music 2005
We Are The Klubb (CD, Comp, Mixed) Dance Naked (James Hol... Slip 'n' Slide 2005
Purobeach - Volumen Cuatro (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Oasis (Kiko Navarro Vo... Seamless Recordings, Meerkat Music 2008
Submerge Vol. 1 - Detroit Techno (12xFile, MP3, 160) Down Submerge Recordings 2008
The Detroit Connection Pt.3: For The Freaks (CD, Comp, Mixed) 21 Positions Matrix Musik 2008
Trax Sampler 118 (CD, Smplr, Car) Give It To Me Trax Sampler 2008
Ten Years Cocoon Ibiza (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Wallshaker (Original 1... Cocoon Recordings 2009
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YouTube Videos

Aaron Carl - Down - Metroplex
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Reviews & Discussion

Review by meadz Dec 20, 2008
Completely agree with the previous comment about Carl being a genius. Not as much into the recent deep house tunes but the fact he's went through so many different genre's and hit the nail on the head with everyone is commendable.

Down never fails to make me smile and Tears is beautiful tune, reminds me alot of Galaxy 2 Galaxy. It just never seems to stop building up and when it kicks for the last time with the strong bass notes, its classic.
Review by iamelectron Sep 06, 2002
I had been looking for 'Down' for ages - it wasn't until I went to Aaron's web sit that I realised 'Down' is the B-side of 'Wash It' my favourite 'filthtech' track of all time....and I've had it in my collection for 5 years - how stupid do I feel!!!! 'Down' is like a cross between DBX, Aux 88 and a New York builder in a frock circa 1979. I love this record...Aaron, you're a genius!

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