"It's the first day of the rest of your life" sings Brian Molko on the first single to Timo Maas' second album Pictures. Sounds like the motto of this thirty-six-year-old DJ and producer - feet first in the moment and way ahead in his mind. For almost twenty-five years and during thousands of DJ-sets Timo Maas has turned energy into ecstasy, mixing a congenial and cohesive Dance-combination for the soundtrack to the perfect party - drawing on eclectic ingredients from Hip Hop to Alternative and R&B. Despite all that, Timo Maas feels he is more craftsman than alchemist, never resting on his laurels, and always re-inventing himself. Most importantly: He does not spin records, he more than anything creates his sound. Restless, untiring, worldwide. Preferably all night long, at least for four to five hours, more trip than trial - and in June 2006 even as the opening act for Depeche Mode in Warsaw. At the peak of the excitement, floor filled and audience screaming, Timo Maas will say something like: "I think I'll really get them going in about twenty minutes or so."

The look ahead and both ears to the ground have achieved a lot for this telecommunications-engineer from Hanover: From the local Discotheque in the Eighties to popular residencies in The End ("best venue", Time Out Live Award, London), the new Pacha in New York and the DC 10 on Ibiza in 2006. From high-profile remixes and a proud Grammy-nomination to a whole lot of original productions, two artist-albums and his own label 99 Percent. "I approach every gig, every single set and everything I produce, as if they were my last", says Timo Maas, whose name, by the way, is neither a pseudonym nor an acronym (even though "a Thousand Incredible Moments Of Music And Aural Sensations" would fit). "All of this is only possible, because I believe a hundred percent in what I'm doing. I love my job!"

This quality is evident at sunrise when Timo Maas is yet again the "last man standing" after eight hours behind the decks, but even more so when he gets back from deejaying in Toronto or Tokyo and locks himself in a studio on his farm with the vinyl-barn to record a new mix. That way the ecstasy of the night transforms once again into the energy of the DJ. And this in turn benefits all of his remixes and productions. Numerous singles, mixes and albums have made Timo Maas, always in collaboration with his sound-designer Martin Buttrich, a household name far beyond the dance-world. In the summer of 2006 the dream-team will reunite once again to start work on new material. They will also select and direct new productions for his label 99 Percent, which takes its name from an almost all-encompassing vinyl-release policy. "I love spinning vinyl, and I still do so most of the time", says Timo Maas. "My label should definitely reflect that." Another obsession the label and its strategy reflect is the ambitious curiosity of the simpatico sound-seeker -a quality which also manifests itself in the ever greater new tracks by his protégés Loco Dice and eighteen year old Daniel Taylor (M.O.R.D.) for other labels. "I love it, when I do not fulfil preconceived notions and expectations", emphasises Timo Maas, "but rather exceed them." In doing so, he stays true to another one of his maxims: expect the unexpected.

Well, what could I tell you about me? I could tell you that I'm unbelievable attractive, that I'm a fucking great musician and never did something else than great music, that I'm rich and famous and so on and so on. Well, you saw my pic on the right and the truth about music and me is that I love listening to music and someday I started to do my own music. The most people in the music scene always tell that they're doing music since they're 3 or 4. Yeah, I'm pretty sure they did ;-) but for me the point on which I started doing music isn't so far away - something around 6 or 7 years. I play instruments since I'm 7 - the flute, later the saxophone and many years later I started learning piano - but, honestly, playing on instruments is something different than making music. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty fantastic if you're able to play stuff from Rachmaninov or others virtuosic but that's not my game. I want to write my own music, to express myself with music and maybe to touch people with my music. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. But I always give my best and that's the most I can do. Besides doing the things always with my heart it's very important for me to be pretty open for different music. I'm listening to nearly every kind of music and I'm trying to make music in different genres (ah btw, I have a degree in audio engineering). So I'm writing songs, doing soundtracks for computer games, doing this electronic stuff and deejay thing because of that you're here today and maybe one day I will end up with doing movie scores. That's my dream and if everything went well it will happen but it's also possible that I'll end up flipping burgers. We will see.

For sure, I'm also deejaying. I did and do it in lots of clubs and in my two radio shows. The 1st one is called 'DASDING Plattenleger' and is on air every Saturday from 10pm to 4am on Germany's finest radio SWR DASDING and SR UNSERDING. The 2nd is called 'Global Scum Show' and belongs to my record label which I founded in the beginning of 2006. The 'Global Scum Show' is on air every Thursday (11pm - 2am) and Saturday (3am - 6am) on Turkey's fantastic Dinamo 103.8 FM. Some other stations will follow soon and the show will be also available on Proton Radio very soon. To drop in some names of people with which I played on my gigs and in the shows: Sander Kleinenberg, Timo Maas, Dave Seaman, Oliver Moldan, Martin Eyerer, James Holden, Carl Cox, Paul van Dyk, Mandy, Adam Freeland, King Unique, Gabriel & Dresden and so many more.

In 2006 my focus is on launching my labels 'Global Scum Records' and 'Global Scum Digital', producing a lot more electronic music and spreading my radio shows over the globe. I have so much good people around me who are helping me each day on finding and going my way and I'm pretty sure that we will work even more wonders in the future. Thank you so much!

Ingo - born an raised in the early 70’s in Germany’s famous Ruhr Area was introduced into making music by his brother in the early age of seven, inspired by the progressive Rock and first-step electronic music of this time. Thereby he got in touch with several instruments but he was mostly fascinated by playing the drums, which he was than classical educated in.

After unavoidably having had his first appereances as a musician in several bands, Ingo experienced a very momentous encounter with the world of electronic music - he got to know of the possibilities of one of the early 80’s drum machines. Concluding to the way drum patterns were programmed Ingo developed his own way of composing by just sketching the notes of rhythmic patterns on paper. Ingo’s driven many people crazy with drumming on everything that makes sound …

In the following years he easily became more and more familar with the way in which professional electronic studio production works. In 1993 his first dance music production found its successful way into the clubs. With his feeling for rhythm and knowledge about how music floats and works on people, he also turned out to be a talented DJ. He has put the needle on vinyl in some of Europe’s famous clubs, always driving the crowd crazy with strong and deep sets. Nowadays Ingo spins regularly on the most successful radio stations worldwide with his own shows like “LIGHTWORKS” - an 8 hour DJ show in the mix on friskyRadio.com, every second friday of the month. Plus, he still serves international clubs with his breathtaking epically long sets as a demanded Progressive House, Tech-House, Deep House or even Ambient/Chillout DJ.

Ingo has established himself as one of the most influential figures in the field of progressive dance music over the last 5 years as both a DJ, and a producer. In his latest gigs, he is blurring the line between DJing and live performance engineering by utilizing two external FireWire audio cards, a laptop sporting mixing software, enabling for a more full-featured club experience more akin to a concert than a standard night out at a dance club. On-the-fly remixes and compositions are just some of the capabilities of this performance method.

Although he was really into the nightlife, Ingo was always aware that he needs to seriously build up an existance which make allowance for his multitude of talents. He established himself by starting his own media agency and record label business whilst continuing to be a demanded music producer and composer.

For over 4 years Ingo worked as a multimedia designer and produced on many top selling albums and singles. Having ‘learnt’ about the business side of the dance music industry over those 4 years, he decided to withdraw himself to a beautiful small spot on the island of Mallorca. From there he could live his love of production and be constantly inspired by the beauty of the mediterranean island. After giving birth to his debut artist album of late 2003, in 2004 he returned back to germany to fulfill things yet to be done … his love for music led him to initialise the german association - SAVEMUSIC, which works hard these days to save the art of making music and its artists. Ingo was the president of SAVEMUSIC, now he’s an honourary member and still an active consultant.

One of his strongest influences was, and still is, Marc Mitchell, particularly his remix album “Tales from the engine room”, as well as BT, and Sasha but also all the early pioneers in electronic music like Jarre and Vangelis. There’s not only mention of genius’ Marc Mitchell or Markus Reuter as mentors, but as close friends now.

With his extensive background and experience in music it seemed only logical for Ingo to take on multiple musical projects. Nowadays Ingo works together with producers and musicians from all over the globe, songwriters, vocalists, no matter what style of music it concerns, if it’s electronic music combined with acoustic instruments, progressive dance music, chillout, ambient, rock influenced electronica, classic or music for TV and film: Every production that leaves Ingo’s studio has this ’special difference’ in sound quality, composure, and arrangement.

Many of Ingos colleagues and fans often wonder how a family father to two handles all this … and do musicians not also live basically, kind of unreliable? He shows the world what’s possible with the suitable passion and the love to music and the audience. This man has just cracked the surface of his love for music and it can only lead him - and those who are fortunate enough to hear his work - to higher places …

Ingo spends an inordinate amount of time (like 32 hours a day) in his new Moonsun Studio to work on his countless projects. Sitting beneath Ingo @ work is like putting fingers into a wall socket. Do not speak to him, this man is in an altered state of consciousness!

[Josh Abrams (DJ & Producer), L.A., 2004 / Bernhard Wöstheinrich (Producer), Westphalia / Germany, 2006]

THE NALIN WAY

Sein Umfeld kennt Andry Nalin als kreativen Workaholic, im Business und bei DJ-Kollegen wird er als zielstrebiger Künstler geschätzt und für seine Fans auf der ganzen Welt ist er eine lebende Legende mit höchstem Output. Wenn man nun glaubt, dies seien unvereinbare Eigenschaften, dann ist man bereits dabei, sich dem Phänomen Nalin zu nähern. Denn sein mehr als zehnjähriger nationaler und internationaler Erfolg lässt sich am besten verstehen, wenn man den Weg verfolgt, den er von seiner Geburtsstadt Düsseldorf aus bis in die internationale DJ-Elite gegangen ist. Ein Weg, der jenseits der üblichen Karrieren verlief, ein neuer Weg, der Türen für nachfolgende DJs öffnete und dabei Maßstäbe setzte. Andry Nalin hat seit 1993 die Kunst des DJings, den Sound von Clubhits und den Lauf des Business entscheidend definiert und mit einem ganz eigenen unnachahmlichem Charakter versehen: It´s The Nalin Way.

HITS, CLUBS & FACTS

Als Nalin & Kane im Jahr 1996 ihren weltweiten Clubhit „Beachball“ schrieben, hatte Andry unter Nalin Inc. und Yellow Cab mit dem damaligen Partner Kane bereits einige erfolgreiche 12“s veröffentlicht. Sein Name stand für einen frischen Ansatz in der Housemusic, Andry Nalins Stil wurde zum genuinen Markenzeichen, welches der damals boomenden europäischen Houseszene entscheidende Impulse gab. Seine Gigs als DJ führten Andry seit Mitte der 90er Jahre in alle internationalen Topclubs wie, unter anderem, dem „Space“ auf Ibiza, dem „Twilo“ in New York, oder dem „Pacha“ in Buenos Aires sowie zu den wichtigsten Regulars und Festivals wie etwa „Renaissance“ oder der „Mayday“. Ob in Asien, Nord- und Südamerika, Afrika, Australien oder Europa – der Nalin-Sound ist auf allen Kontinenten der Erde mindestens so begehrt wie in seiner Homebase NRW, genauer gesagt dem „Tribehouse“ in Neuss. Diese seine traditionelle Residency, die bei den Deutschen Dance Awards zum „Besten Club Deutschlands“ gekürt worden ist, prägte Andry seit 1995 wie kein Zweiter und trug somit zum immensen Erfolg des Clubs bei. Daneben hatte er sich mit Superfly Records ein Plattenlabel aufgebaut, das Trends setzte und heutigen DJ-Größen wie Moguai, Phil Fuldner, Oliver Moldan und anderen zum Karrierestart verhalf.

Doch nach „Beachball“, das seit 1997 weltweit über eine halbe Million Singles verkaufte, war nichts mehr wie vorher. Das renommierte englische Mixmag schrieb „German House has never sounded so sophisticated and sensual“. Kylie Minogue, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Sven Väth, Steve Lawler, Jam & Spoon und viele andere klopften an die Studiotür und baten um Remixes. Da Hools „Meet Her At The Loveparade“ wurde durch Nalins goldene Hand zum Superhit und zur Hymne einer Housegeneration. Als Producer folgten nach „Beachball“ zahllose weitere Erfolge mit Solo-Produktionen, den Projekten Nalin & Kane, Nalin Inc. und seit 2003 mit Bush II Bush. Diese Allianz mit seinem alten Freund, dem DJ und Producer Gregor Wagner ist Andrys neuestes und vielleicht aufregendstes Projekt der letzten Jahre: Die ersten beiden Bush II Bush-Singles „Hard Like A Rocker“ und „SoulShock“ wurden von Publikum und DJs frenetisch gefeiert und erreichten Spitzenpositionen in allen wichtigen Dancecharts. Das vorläufige Meisterwerk von Bush II Bush ist allerdings die aktuelle Single „Piano Track“. Released auf dem legendären New Yorker Plattenlabel SAW, einem Sublabel der Def Mix-Group sowie dem englischen Label CR2, traf sie bei Publikum und DJs gleichermaßen ins Schwarze: Pete Tong kürte „Piano Track“ gleich zwei mal zum „Essential Tune“, in allen relevanten Charts und DJ – Playlists schoss er auf die Spitzenpositionen und das einflussreiche britische „DJ-Mag“ sah sich veranlasst, Bush II Bush als Begründer eines Piano-House-Revivals auszurufen. Der Sommer 2005 auf Ibiza wäre ohne diesen außergewöhnlichen Track undenkbar gewesen. Neben aktuellen Remixen für Künstler wie Red Carpet (Subliminal Records) oder etwa Ferry Corsten (Positiva Records) haben Bush II Bush gerade ihre neue 12“-Single „Jungle Love“ fertig gestellt – sie wird im Frühjahr 2006 ebenfalls auf SAW Recordings erscheinen.

THE UNDERGROUND HOUSE

Heute ist Andry Nalin solo sowie mit seinem Projekt Bush II Bush einer der wichtigsten Protagonisten des internationalen Underground House Sounds. Ein Sound, der in der Mitte von Techno, Elektro und House pulsiert, das Beste dieser Styles integriert und mit Leichtigkeit über den manchmal engen Grenzen hierzulande schwebt. Andry Nalins DJ-Sets sind 100%ige Garanten für eine euphorische Clubnacht, doch diese Zuverlässigkeit bedeutet nicht, dass es keine Überraschungen gibt. Andrys Spannungsbögen laufen von hypnotischen Grooves über ekstatische Breaks bis zu kompromisslos rockenden Auflösungen und erzählen echte Geschichten, wie sie nur ein Virtuose präsentieren kann. Das Beste aus den beiden Welten von Techno und House vereint sich in Andry Nalins Sound – in Düsseldorf geboren, in Europa entwickelt und weltweit perfektioniert, trägt dieser einzigartige Style den Code zur totalen Begeisterung der Nachtschwärmer in sich.

Dies zu spüren, im Strobogewitter zwischen Kunstnebel und Longdrinks, getragen von einer Wolke aus Basslines, Chords und Hi-Hats und angetrieben durch das Gefühl des DJs für die Magie des Moments ist der beste Schlüssel um das Phänomen Andry Nalin zu verstehen.

Dress up and go out tonight!

© JanWilms / Dezember 2005

Taucher - Swimming free in the digital sea

"Every time I check the internet I'm quite surprised how many people produce new tracks and how many great artists are among them, with releases week after week, one being more stunning than the other, more intensive and deeper felt than ever before. If, for example, I listen to a production of Moshic from Israel or Josel & Pedro - my mind just blows away. This kind of music can no longer be compared with the sort of club trance of the pioneering days. Sure, it was fine back then, 5 sound tracks and a melody, that was all it took to make you feel good. But today I'd rather slash my wrists than return to the old days with my expectations, ambitions and knowledge of today."

"I wanted to break free."

Flashback: Before the turn of the century, Taucher, the eccentric artist and trance allstar from Germany's Rhine-Main-area, caused quite a buzz by celebrating his dj gigs as unforgettable and often breathtaking performances such as mixing his pads and melodies hanging upside down from a pole. When the new century was still fresh, the South-German dj named Ralph Armand Beck felt his mind and heart change and morphed into a progressive head. With multi-layered arrangements he went on even deeper journeys and gradually threw classic club trance tunes overboard. It didn't take long until his progressive dj style also surfaced in his productions with partner Torsten Stenzel. His defiance against the dull hit machinery most strikingly materialized in the polarizing "Millenium Bitch" (2002). Taucher left commerce for art and cut loose from Polydor, his record company until then.

"I realised I had grown up with the change in my music."

In those days, when in Germany trance music was in danger of being reduced to monotonous formulas, a well-stacked record store opened the door to the big wide world of progressive trance. This terra incognita soon turned into his favourite playground and artists like Luke Chable, Chab and Madoka shed light into the thick undergrowth of international producers who execelled with outstandings discographies.

For the unique progressive sound Taucher propelled as both dj and producer, he found the characteristic name "Adult Music". Far from sounding presumptious, he simply tried to express his crucial artistic and personal development. Whenever you come across the claim "Adult Music", you can be sure good old Taucher is involved. In no time, the new name not only turned programmatic but also magnetic, and not only for adults.

2003 saw the take-off for "Film ab!" Taucher's "Adult Music" show on the internet tv channel Soundworx (www.soundworx.tv). Every first thursday of the month, this never tiring music performer delivers a first-rate four hours set of progressive sounds which is then offered as online stream for the following six months. Supported by live camera action and video animations, these sets abound with visual delicacies.

Apart from his TV show, the eloquent dj also hosts his weekly radio show "Adult Music" on Germany's top station Sunshine Live. The first show was broadcasted in february 2005 and since then has catapulted him into the top league of Germany's radio presenters. His four hour sunday night show from 10pm to 2 am makes his listeners forget the worries of the imminent working week and presents hand-picked progressive highlights introducing the hottest national and international artists and labels. He draws his enthusiastic audience not only from all over Germany via cable radio but also via internet live stream on sunshine-live.de. Based on the columns Taucher-newsletter, adult-music-chat and the fan site www.listeners.de, he has established a community whose members celebrate their sunday adult nite like an essential and indispensable ritual.

In March 2007 "Adult Music" took another step on the international masterplan. In cooperation with Hyline, Taucher's show "Adult Music" is aired on friskyradio.com, the much renowned and beloved internet station of the global progressive house community.

Ever since my birth in 1971, I have seen many moons wax and wane on this planet. I was always most captivated by the full moon, staring at it in awe with eyes wide open – the only thing that fascinated me more was music.

During my childhood you would mostly find me playing with my tape recorder, listening to my favourites and singing along. Soon followed the revelation that had marked me forever: my first Dual turntable, carrying with it the phenomenon called vinyl – undoubtedly the most revered of all audio media.

I turned to electronic music in 1995. After listening to another legendary performance by DJ Dag on HR3 Clubnight (a radio show), I knew I was forever addicted to its magic. The feeling that had sprung forth at that time never let go of me, and for a time, I was satisfied with buying and listening to vinyl. At the age of 33, however, it finally dawned on me that there is more to discover. I had to give in to the overwhelming passion of making music flow continuously and melt together in a way that is only known to DJs.

Led by pure emotion, my style soon unconsciously evolved into what I call: deep, dark and progressive – in an adult way. It is almost indescribably wonderful to live, hear and feel this kind of music. It never ceases to amaze and challenge you, it supports and touches you, it gives you pleasure and is always present but never obtrusive – every time a revelation, music of my heart and soul.

Jerome Isma-Ae is producing and Djíng since 1994. He was also the first German to have a record on US house label Strictly Rhythm (as Future-Funk, with Marcel Krieg), and his resume, while filled with work on independent labels (including his own Jee Productions), also includes tracks on Universal, Sony, Ministry of Sound UK and WEA.

In 2001 he wrote his first Movie Soundtrack for the Movie .100 PRO.. After this he did some Musicproductions for Commercials (Audi, Marlboro...).

2002 he did a Remix for the Project .Nightcrawlers- Push the Feeling on.. His Remix reached #1 in the U.S. Billboard Dance Charts

His latest Release is the very strong Track .Rokit. on DJ Tomcrafts Label Craft Music (Great Stuff Rec.) He has produced over 70 Records and countless Remixes for international Artists and his Records are played, charted and playlisted by people like Pete Tong, Chus & Ceballos, Dave Seaman, Hernan Cattaneo, Tom Novy, Oliver Moldan, Sven Väth, ATFC, Eddie Amador, Dr. Kucho.....

Jerome also runs his own monthly Radioshow on Frisky Radio (friskyradio.com), the best online Radiostation for Progressive Housmusic!!!

As DJ he was playing in places like: Amnesia, Privillge (Ibiza), Warsaw, Kiev, Prague, Vienna, Zurich, Sarajevo, Kroatia, Venezuela (Carracas), Melboure, Sidney, Darwin, Auckland (New Zealand), Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg...

jee-productions.com

The native citizen of Berlin Tom Beltor started relatively late, only in the year 2004, its Dj career. But owing to its talent it developed within only a yearly to one Dj, with extremely precise Mixing Skills. The scene recognized that fast and in such a way left, the first radio and club of appearances for a long time for itself do not wait...

By the transmission rows Technologic Stories and sounds feeler gauges on the well-known transmitters of electronics-universe and shouted.fm it made a name fast and did not only become annual Nature One festival but also in the Berlner club Trend and MFE booked. Beyond that it became member of Tribal Room, mixes in its internal forums shows on Ensonic.fm and the pertinent forum moderates also according to.

Starting from November 2006 he gets now his first own radio show up Frisky radio San Francisco beyond the national borders will have to be heard. By the citizen of Berlin DJ we become in the future still another quantity to hear to get.

www.tom-beltor.de

Born and raised in Ulm, Germany - producer and DJ Steffen Herb is handled as one of Germanys most talented and uprising progressive house pioneers.

For many people electronic music is a selective flush that can be over after only one night. For Steffen Herb electronic music is a lifelong love. In this DJ,musician and label-head, almost 12 years of electronic music history materializes.

Steffen Herb brings a very special deepness behind the decks that are beyond comparison even in the night metropolis Ulm: hardly anyone defines Progressive House like him in this city. His sets promise nothing they can't keep: in fact they have a magnetic effect nobody can elude. Insistence, calmness, understatement and concentration are the qualities that represent Steffen's sets, productions and his A&R work for his label Black-Chrome Records. Steffen's inspired mixing skills combined with his eclectic music selection have clearly defined his unique and trailblazing style. In 2006 with the foundation of his label Black-Chrome he created a prototype that has spread far nowadays: labels defined by a special music style, surrounded by a closely drawn, highly productive network around a manageable, though open clique of producers. With every release the Black-Chrome sound is enhanced more and more. At the same time every record unlocks new sound ranges. As specific as the label-style may be, the excitement arises from the opposite: as still Black-Chrome tracks bypass every cliché.