Craig Smith_
Much respected for his diverse knowledge of music, Craig's DJ career has been flowing steadily for over 30 years, from his 1st gig in his home town of Edinburgh 1987, to regular Southport Weekender/Suncebeat appearances as well as numerous gigs and radio appearances across the globe.
Always listening to, and collecting music as a kid, Craig Smith began searching out club nights that would quench his musical thirst. In the early 80's it was parties like the Edinburgh's Manifesto that really inspired and turned him on to a fresh and exciting scene that none of his school friends were even aware of. A stalwart on the scene from a young age this eventually lead him to make his DJ'ing debut in 1987 at Edinburgh's legendary club night The Hooch. Craig’s initial influences were boogie, jazz funk, soul and the emerging sounds of rap and house and for him it was a natural progression into the modern production techniques and sounds of dance music.
Craig Smith is known for his uncompromising attitude to the music he loves and has always refused to be categorised, preferring instead to be known for playing "quality dance music”, his sets are a testament to 30 years of telling stories through music.
Craig Smith’s recording work has always been met with great critical acclaim. Releases are produced under his own name and various guises such as The Soul Renegades and Sound Signals, and of course his most we known moniker The 6th Borough Project, on labels such as Defected, Atjazz Records, Restless Soul, Delusions Of Grandeur, Soul Heaven, Yoruba Records and his own label Fifty Fathoms Deep. Craig has also remixed tracks for the likes of Roy Ayers, Cevin Fisher, Roland Clark, Lay Far, Moloko, Robert Owens, Michael Watford and Hercules & Love Affair amongst others. Most recently he has released an instrumental hip hop LP under his new Sound Signals guise on SFSB records which has been getting regular plays on Craig Charles show on BBC 6 Music.
As always Craig is continuing to work in the studio with long time collaborater Graeme Clark (The Revenge) on their popular 6th Borough Project, which has seen them release 3 albums and additional remixes / productions over the last decade. Since their first release in 2008 the duo's production has gained props/ radio/club play from heavy hitters, including Kenny Dope, Giles Peterson, Moodyman, Simbad, Jimpster, Danny Krivit, Joe Clausell, FK, Todd Terje.
Forthcoming solo material includes a Fifty Fathoms Deep imprint, new material from 6th Borough Project, Sounds Signals and return after 5 year hiatus of the the Soul Renegades, his project BBE's Ricky Reid (The James L'Estraunge Orchestra), with a new release ready to drop on Mad Matts Local Talk label.
