The productions of deep house expert and Chicago historian-of-sorts Chris Gray tug at the same compelling heartstrings as classic producers like Larry Heard and Marshall Jefferson. Inspired by Heard as well as Blaze, Ron Trent and the Wamdue Project, Gray grew up in Mississippi completely unaware of developments in the Windy City. After his cousin passed him an early house mixtape in 1987, he began listening to the music intently. Three years later, he had formed the Deephouse Projekt, an information-gathering source about the genesis of house music in Chicago. Gray graduated from Mississippi State University in 1992, and moved to Chicago to begin working on production. His first two EPs, The Moonchildren and Very Moody, were statements of purpose reflecting a deep appreciation for Heard classics like "Can You Feel It" and "Mystery of Love." Both appeared on Britain's Freetown/Subwoofer Records, and Gray's 1997 debut LP A Deeper Level of Understanding was also given a British release via Music Is...Records. He recorded for American labels like DC 10, providing remixes for Kevin Elliott, Greg Cash and Larry Heard himself (on Dance 2000, Part 2). Gray's sophomore album Fish & Luvconfushun was released in mid-1998. One year later, Emotional Distortion appeared on Deep 4 Life. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
