Procol Harum – A Whiter Shade Of Pale
100% childhood memories! Can’t even remember where or when I heard that track the first time but I remember clearly that it touched my soul.
Larry Heard presents Mr.White – You Rock Me
I heard this track years ago in a set of Sven Väth playing Open Air in Ibiza…I instantly fell in love with that tune and it always reminds me of the sunny side of life.
Mercedes Sosa – Gracias A La Vida
Mercedes Sosa is for me the voice of latin america and the lyrics are coming from the chilean folklore singer Violeta parra. The most beautiful lyrics I’ve ever heard and a thanksgiving to life.
Die Fantastischen Vier – Millionen Legionen (MTV Unplugged)
It was clear to me that “Fanta 4” has to be part of this list. It was a hard decision between that track and “Krieger”. I have chosen “Millionen Legionen” because it gave me confidence and support during hard times in my life. If you don’t speak german it’s worth to translate it!
The Roots – You Got Me feat. Erykah Badu
The Roots & Erykah Badu – what a combo! Inspired by some close friends Hip Hop plays a major role in my life and I always loved the fusion of rap parts and soulful vocals.
Roy Ayers – Everybody Loves The Sunshine
This is my personal morning anthem on a sunny day. Every time I play this song I feel like everything is in the right place.
Dan Croll – From Nowhere
In 2016 I heard this track several times in Ibiza during the season in an unofficial remix by Ame. That led me to the original which is for me the kind of pop music that I love to listen to!
Makossa & Megablast – Coming Home feat. Hubert Tubbs
The Austrian Duo Makossa & Megablast were a huge musical inspiration. Lucky enough that our paths crossed and nowadays I can call them close friends. The Vocals of Hubbert Tubs go straight under your skin.
Inti Illimani – Samba Lando
My parents had to leave Chile in 1975 due to dictatorship of Pinochet, which led my father to play in a revolutionary folklore band. As a child I joined him at his shows, so latin folklore music especially with revolutionary background formed my political and musical roots.
Public Enemy – He Got Game
Amazing movie, great soundtrack featuring my favorite Public Enemy track. I love Flavor Flavs Vocals at the end over the choir: “…Now the question is – are you ready, for the real revolution which is the evolution of the mind? If you seek then you shall find that we all come from the divine. You dig what I’m sayin?…”
Claudio Ricci – Warschauer Strasse/h3>
Stripped Down Records is a brand new label that will focus on raw grooves. Founded by Claudio Ricci and Christian and Monika Zorn, the first release comes from Ricci and features essential remixes from Timo Maas & Basti Grub, Kintar and Metodi Hristov.
Claudio Ricci has nearly 20 years experience in dance music with his music taking cues from all genres and coming on labels like Compost and MoBack. As a DJ he is just as diverse and always leans on more organic sounds and rich melodies. His timeless single here is a great way to kick off the new label.
Entitled ‘Warschauer Strasse’, it is seven excellently expansive minutes of twisted synths that bring real tension to deep house drums. Cosmic keys take the track into intergalactic realms and as the pads percolate they continue to bring raw energy to the groove.
The first remix comes from long time techno heavyweight and Rockets & Ponies boss Timo Maas and the prolific and inventive Basti Grub. Their singular remix speeds up the original and layers in fluttering toms and percussive sounds as well as broad, groaning synths and the distant sound of a bustling city at rush hour. It swells and sinks back a number of times to keep you locked and along for a most thrilling ride.
Sudam label boss and Ibiza based artist Kintar has released on the likes of Terminal M and Stereo Productions and flips the track into something spacious and haunting. Eerie keys and sweeping synths keep you on edge as the rubbery techno groove rolls on into the night.
Bulgarian based Metodi Hristov loves to experiment and has a distinctive techno style that gains support from the likes of Richie Hawtin, Carl Cox and Adam Beyer. In his hands the track becomes a peak time tech banger, with contorted synth lines, alien fx and barrelling drums that are brilliantly powerful.
Claudio Ricci – Warschauer Strasse (Stripped Down) Out Now STRD 001