Some fine folks in the Ruhr area ran a website called Deep Groove, which indeed was a hub for all kinds of deep grooves, and included a lively message board and a good guest mix section. When they asked me for a mix I decided to give them a disco treat. I remember that the mix was pretty popular then, and I am also still really happy with it. It is a good snapshot of the kind of disco I played around Berlin’s disco circuit at the time, which after years of hibernation was growing stronger and stronger. If I may say so, the intro is really something. Mad skills!
Oh, and if you wonder about the title, I nicked it from a George Michael documentary I saw with my friend Stefan Goldmann that year. I liked some early Wham! stuff but I was never too much into his solo career. The only place showing it was a small gay cinema in Berlin-Schöneberg and Stefan persuaded me to join, because he really liked the song Freeek, which I did not like at all. After the film my opinion on George Michael really changed though, and I still have a lot of respect for him. But my favourite moment in the documentary were two elder female fans who were asked what they liked about him. “He’s the boo in my boogie!”, one replied. I could relate to that.
Sinnamon – I Need You Now (Acapella) René & Angela – I Love You More (Mr. K Edit) Brenda Taylor – You Can’t Have Your Cake And Eat It Too (Greg Wilson Edit) The Staple Singers – Slippery People Dan Hartman – We Are The Young The System – You Are In My System The The – Giant It’s Immaterial – Space (He Called From The Kitchen…) Thelma Houston – You Used To Hold Me So Tight Cameo – Back And Forth (Dub Mix) ABC – The Night You Murdered Love (The Whole Story) Sleeque – One For The Money Surface – Falling In Love (Special Extended Danny Krivit Extended Re-Edit) Evelyn King – I’m In Love Montana Orchestra – Sal Sold My Beats Donny Hathaway – String Segue Arnie’s Love – I’m Out Of Your Love Michael Wycoff – Looking Up To You Tafuri – What Am I Gonna Do About Your Love? (Silk On Steel – Extended Mix) Tony Silvester & The New Ingredient – Verry White The 5th Dimension – Magic In My Life
A guy asked me if I could provide a guest mix for his show Jackin’ Planets at a Berlin radio station called shouted.fm. Sadly I forgot his name, but he asked me very politely and I liked both the name of his show and the name of the station, so I agreed. To be honest I might have been in the mood to record a mix of some old school techno faves, and I just jumped to the occasion. Anyway, here is the result.
LFO- Freeze Constant Ritual – Hard Way To Come Paperclip People – Jerry Lewis (Mayday Mix) Mark Imperial – I Can Feel The Music (Chicago Street Mix) Eddie Flashin’ Fowlkes – Liquid Disaster Gemini – Festival Cybersonik – Revelation 928 Adolfo – Do I (Ivan Iaccobucci 4 A.M. Mix) Psyance – Andromeda’s Dance Laurent X – Drowning In A Sea Of House KC Flightt – Planet E (Acid Drop Mix) Chrome – My Reflection Prince – The Future (Remix) Octave One – Black On Black Yazoo – Bring Your Love Down (Didn’t I) N.Y. House ‘N’ Authority – Fort Green House Metro – Straphanger Urban Tribe – Eastward (Forme Remix) Model 500 – Pick Up The Flow ABC – The Greatest Love Of All (Mayday Mix)
Der Alt-Gigolo mit dem schon immer etwas flexibleren Spektrum, sich der Hauptstadt im Mix annähernd. Inwiefern das jetzt repräsentativ ist, möge der interessierte Hörer im Vergleich mit dem favorisierten Club abgleichen. Laut Naughty verlangt der Anlass aufzuzeigen, wie schön sich neuerer Electro-House-Boompty der Marke Tiga, Vitalic, Ewan Pearson, M.A.N.D.Y., Thomas Anderson und ähnlichem mit ein paar originalen Perlen der elektronischen Seite von Disco und House aus der Jack-Phase verbinden lässt. Für den Sequencer in der Disco stehen hier eingangs einer von Rick James’ unbedarfteren Momenten (‚In My House’), Proto-Balihu-Space-Kitsch von Patrick Cowley (‚Sea Hunt’) und schöner Italo von Eleanor Academia, für Jack halten Bam Bam, J.M. Silk und das unverwüstliche Boller-Acapella von ‚Love Can’t Turn Around’ hin. Tatsächlich ergibt das durchaus Sinn, die Originale machen es vor und die Fortführungen berufen sich darauf. Etliche Tracks sind zudem von Naughty zweckdienlich editiert worden, Zeichen der Zeit erkannt. Unterstreicht die Auswahl der Old School-Tracks jetzt deren Zeitlosigkeit und die Auswahl der neueren Tracks deren legitime Nachfolgerschaft? Tatsächlich ist in diesem Mix die Anordnung und die Soundangleichung so weit fortgeschritten, dass ein zeitlicher Kontext keine wirkliche Rolle spielt. Auf der Basis kann man dann locker die geeigneten Eckpfeiler Disco, Synthiepop, Techno, Electro, Jack, EBM, Acid, Garage und Indierock (Chikinki in der Rolle des gewagten Ausreißers) zueinander führen ohne dass man gravierend ins Stutzen kommt. Das ist dann kohärent, funktioniert und folgt im angemessenen Umfang der gegenwärtigen diffusen Auffassung von Dancefloor-Glam. Ich weiß nicht, ob das Phuture-hafte MCing zwischendurch Naughty höchstselbst ist und ob das nur auf der Promo ist, fand ich charmant
If there was one music missing in those Berlin days it was disco. Meaning disco in nearly all its forms. It was just not happening, anywhere. I was among a few people like Daniel Wang, Hunee, Nomad, Benji DF or Emil Doesn’t Drive trying to change that. We set up nights in small clubs, parks, warehouses, temporary and private spaces. It did not matter. All that mattered was that we could try to fill this void, and actually we achieved that. This mix is a good example for how this burgeoning scene was approaching the topic. Sets were not specialized in certain disco styles yet, you just played what you felt playing and threw anything into a big pot and stirred it
Dexys Midnight Runners – T.S.O.P. Tracie Young – Invitation Adele Bertei – Build Me A Bridge Angela Parisi – Wherever Forever Propaganda – Frozen Faces M + M – Song In My Head (Dub Mix) Modern Romance – Nothing Ever Goes The Way You Plan 400 Blows – Breakdown (Re-Interpreted) Konk – Machina Jam Raul Orellana – The Real Wild House (Wild Passion Mix) Chris Rea – On The Beach (Summer ’88) It’s Immaterial – The Sweet Life Yello – Vicious Games (Vicious Remix) Miharu Koshi – Ryugujo No Koibito Peter Jacques Band – Fly Like The Wind The Manhattan Transfer – Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone Roxy Music – Angel Eyes Herbie Mann – Etagui (Instrumental) Elbow Bones & The Racketeers – You Got Me High
Let me give you some context here. In 2004 I was located in Berlin for one year. I made my master at university in my hometown before my move, where I was studying German and English/American literature, and I had a focus on movie history. I arrived in Berlin trying to get a hook in film journalism, but apart from writing movie reviews for de:bug magazine it never really took off. Some friends from back home were working for de:bug, and since I was looking for a job they asked if I wanted join in. First I was an editor for their extensive section of reviews, then I started writing my own. I also made friends with other fine and interesting people, and I started to enjoy the Berlin clubs more and more also. In short, I was back in nightlife again. When I moved to Berlin I was ready to stop DJing, and now due to new DJ friends like Hunee, Stefan Goldmann or Gerd Janson I was persuaded and motivated to pick it up again. One of the regular nights that I really enjoyed and went to often was Inner City, a house night Dixon set up at the Weekend club. You have to understand that at that time house music in a more traditional sense was pretty much dead in Berlin, and Inner City put it back on the map. There was a common feeling of resurgence among regular guests like me, and slowly something evolved from it. The most prominent sign was the label Innervisions by Dixon and Âme. The sound of the label was actually a tad too slick for me, but it felt good to be part of something that was gaining momentum and had impact potential. In 2005 Dixon asked me if I could contribute a guest mix for the Innervisions label website, and I recorded this mix for the purpose. In hindsight I already knew that their career would take off soon, and it would have been wiser to do a mix that highlighted my capabilities as a club DJ, but my timing throughout my years as a DJ was mostly more determined by what I was just in the mood for than by what would most likely pay off well (later several of my booking agents were quite desperate about my urge to keep my freedom to do what I felt I should do rather than develop a signature sound that was easier to sell), so I wasted the opportunity and just mixed some personal downtempo and house faves. Is it balearic? I’d say yes, somehow, but who cares.
Recording during a hot August night in Berlin, but no summer vibes in there. I often like electronic music that is a bit dark, melancholic and tripping. The tracks I used here are all over the place in terms of origin, but apparently I was aiming at a certain nocturnal state of mind. I still love all these tracks but the really interesting odd one out: the remix of 4th Measure Men’s The Need by Johnny D and Nicky P aka Johnick, better known for slightly psychedelic disco house. But this tune is really someting else. Nearly psychotic, and pitch black.
Rhythm Workshop – R U Ready Johnny Dangerous – I Can’t Handle It (How Deep) Schatrax – I Hold You Precious Psyche – From Beyond Tronikhouse – Smooth Groove Suburban Knight – The Groove Intercity – Out Of Control Mr. Lee – I Can’t Forget Nature Boy – I’m On Fire Twenty Twelve – The Cool Rebellion 4th Measure Men – The Need Logarhythm – The Jungle Callisto – Breezin’ The Parallax Corporation – Anti-Social Tendencies The Wolfgang Press – Time Xon – Midnight Express Paris Grey – Don’t Lead Me Never On Sunday – Urban Rains Talking Heads – Drugs
So there I was in Berlin, surrounded by all these clubs and buzz, and I was adapting quite well actually. But dear me, the minimal hype at that time was difficult for me. I was ready to party, but hours upon hours of reduced subtlety was not what I was really hoping for. This mix was a reaction to that. I recorded it late at night, and it consists mainly of some personal favourites that I used to play at my residency at Tanzdiele in my hometown Kiel. I was not exactly homesick. But I was slowly getting the notion that there was maybe more fiction than fact with the celebrated Berlin scene. Sure, there was a whole lot happening, but I missed the musical variety I experienced in other cities. Strangely enough this mix became quite well loved, so there was hope. Still had no plans to go back into DJing though.
Sensorama – Helgoland DJ Duke – Escape From New York Soylent Green – Untitled Isoleé – Initiate 2 Johnny L – This Time DJ Linus – Pleasure Forever Sweet – Untitled Reset – Robodisco Prescription Underground – Untitled Jon Cutler Feat. E-Man – It’s Yours Johnick – Don’t Stop DJ Sneak – Manos Que Tocan Sensorama – Harzzeit The Untouchables – Something Bugged Orkestra Galaktika Feat. Michael Fewtrell – She Brings The Rain Saint Etienne – How We Used To Live
I was deeply involved in the local subcultures in my small coastal hometown in the 80s. I did not know what I wanted to be, of course, but I know I did not want to be as boring as so many other people my age I met. So local subcultures seemed like an easy way out to be or at least act different. I always listened to a lot of different music at the same time but I opted to be part of the Two Tone/Mod scene. I liked the style and the hierarchical challenge. And well, the fashion was so much better than in other scenes. Of course the town was so small that you kind of were stuck with all the other scenes though, because the majority of other youths hated other youths who thought they were something else, and looked different (and better), and thus you were constantly beaten up. Given the many rules of conduct of “my” subculture many records I loved had to stay guilty pleasures, though I gained a lot of pleasure from them nonetheless (and still do). Now in the process of assimilation in Berlin I also realized how lots of 80s styles were already recycled for a while, like Post Punk, Synthpop, Electro or Italo Disco. I always was interested in context, so mixes like these were probably an effort to set things straight for myself. Never forget where you are coming from and so on. But probably they also reminded me that I was getting older too, and whether I should leave my years of being relatively irresponsible and unreasonable behind. The photo is a take on the Larry Levan story of him cleaning the mirror ball himself before the party, taken before a party at my flat.
Cabaret Voltaire – Just Fascination Shriekback – Working On The Ground John Foxx – Underpass The Weathermen – Punishment Park Impedance – Tainted Love Dominatrix – Dominatrix Sleep Tonight Yazoo – State Farm The Fun Boy Three – Faith, Hope And Charity Yellow Magic Orchestra – Behind The Mask A Certain Ratio – Knife Slits Water A.R. Kane – A Love From Outer Space Yellow Magic Orchestra – Nice Age Nitzer Ebb – Join In The Chant Soft Cell – Torch Liaisons Dangereuses – Etre Assis Ou Danser Visage – Visa-Age Suicide – Shadazz Rheingold – Fluss Godley & Creme – Under Your Thumb
I had just moved to Berlin. I was 35 already and I had already experienced a lot (and had a lot of fun along the way) and thus did not fall for all the hype surrounding my new environment so easily. I was basically through with DJing then, as I had been playing out since the 80s and it kind of felt as it was a good time to let it go. I spent most of my time pondering what to do next and exploring the city. I went out quite a lot and made some new and met some old friends, but a lot of the music played at the clubs was not really my thing. So I did a few mixes to pass the time that kind of revisited favourite tunes I purchased and danced to during my youthful formative days in Kiel and Hamburg. I was still in love with music, but I was wondering if I might just turn into an enthusiast and make a living with something else.
Amnésie – Turas Bobby O – Pump It Up Hipnosis – Droid Casco – Cybernetic Love One Two Three – Runaway Eberhard Schoener – Why Don’t You Answer Visage – In The Year 2525 Sparks – Beat The Clock Klein & M.B.O. – Wonderful Tapps – My Wonderful Lover Klapto – Mister Game Max Him – Japanese Girl Man Two Man – Energy Is Eurobeat Divine – Shake It Up Magnifique – Magnifique Man Two Man – Who Knows What Evil? Bobby Davenport – Time (Has Come Today) Trans X – Living On Video
Ich langweile mich nie. Ich wechsle die Atmosphäre, spiele unerwartete Melodien und riskiere etwas.
Spielst Du Freestyle? Wie machst Du das?
Ja, ich spiele Freestyle. Nur einen Sound zu spielen ist öde und außerdem mag ich verschiedene Stilarten. Zum größten Teil benutze ich Minimal Techno gemischt mit Electro, House, Breakbeats und Anderem. Freestyle ist aber gefährlich, denn es muß harmonisch sein.
Ist Retro notwendig?
Nein, ist es nicht. Daß ist geschmacksabhängig oder man will sich damit an schöne Momente erinnern. Ich bin retro zum Spaß oder um zu überraschen, aber nicht automatisch. Read the rest of this entry »
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