Tracklist:
(A1) Gregor Tresher – Trident (DE-Q20-20-00039)
(B1) Gregor Tresher – Pariah (DE-Q20-20-00040)
(B2) Gregor Tresher – Witchcraft (DE-Q20-20-00041)

Release Info:
Dreaming of summer sun, dancefloor euphoria, Gregor Tresher‘s new “Trident“ release on Cocoon Recordings gives us a time, taking us on an epic voyage into the light. There are three contrasting cuts on offer here, each carrying his distinctive sound signature but each designed to accompany a different part of the journey.

“Trident“ opens the set with a real sense of urgency, employing the kind of intro that draws party people to the dancefloor, like bees to honey. Smooth, seductive and hypnotic, it pulls at the heart strings as the tech house groove shifts effortlessly through the gears. The scattered melody at its heart rains down on us, drenching us in love and happiness - the perfect antidote for the travails of 2020.

“Pariah“ takes it deeper and faster as rave signals sound the arrival of a techno behemoth. The arrangement gradually expands into an intricate sonic tapestry through a perceptive use of fades and drops that expertly control the dance floor, while inducing a state of trance through its dervish-like intensity. Once again, additional layers of percussion appear at exactly the right moment to elevate proceedings to the next level.

Finally, Gregor works his magic on “Witchcraft“. Fluctuating between snaking rhythms and blissed-out breakdowns that repeatedly wash over us. The retro, arp-driven synth melodies entwine with the bassline to simulate a sense of weightlessness as the sounds expand and contract to great effect. Like “Trident“, “Witchcraft“ is a track where you can lose yourself and then suddenly find yourself again, in a crowd of like-minded, smiling faces. Hearing any cut from this EP on a thumping system will definitely be worth the wait.





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Gregor Tresher and Cocoon are linked by a long-time relationship which starts all the way back in 2004, when Sven Väth played Gregor's productions in heavy rotation. "Neon", "Full Range Madness", "The Now People" or "Still", just to name a few, can be considered as Techno classics of the Noughties. Almost ten years later, Gregor has established his position and is one of Germany's top notch techno producers. With "About A Good Place", he delivers his long overdue EP debut for Cocoon Recordings. He plays his favourite game straight to the point, with massive analogue synth lines, fat kick drums and hi hats that force you to move: This is adrenaline for the big floors on this planet, those with the real fat PAs!
The title tune "About A Good Place" is one of Sven's secret weapons in his recent sets and breathes Tresher-air XXL! It's all about that crazy, detuned synth line that grows bigger and bigger and results in pure harmony at the great breakdown in the middle of the track. The massive kick drum adds what you need to let the sun shine and wave your hands up in the air!
"Lifecycles" follows that vibe, but digs a bit deeper and adds more sensitivity to Tresher's Techno formula, with all the elements that we already know from "About A Good Place". Crazy arpeggio lines, filter moves and the mandatory dark bass line: hypnotic techno with no chance to escape!
Last but not least, there is "The Sun Sequencer" - the dignified answer to the preliminary techno bangers. More relaxed, with slight touches of House and Trance, "The Sun Sequencer" should be the right choice for fans of Chymera and Slam. Imagine the rising sun at an open air festival site or use this as your first tune for the next after hour - this is the sound of the summer of 2012.
Tracklist:
A1. About A Good Place
B1. Lifecycles
B2. The Sun Sequencer






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Its been a full 12 months since Gregor Tresher releases his "As Days Go By" ep on Ovum and a year that has seen him preparing, releasing and touring his excellent artist album "Lights From The Inside." His previous Ovum double-header was a secret weapon for those that received it in time for last years Miami week and what better a way to prepare for this years than to drop the latest brace from our great friend.
"I see Ovum as a home for my music (besides Break New Soil of course) and it´s a great thing to be able to release on the label, as I´ve been a fan for many years. I kind of feel at home there, because the label isn´t bound to a particular style of electronic music but has a wide range and that´s something I strive for as an artist as well" says Gregor.
This latest release also marks the third and possibly final in his 'Days' series, with "For Many Days To Come" following 2010's "95 Days" and of course last years "As Days Go By." The lead cut here is a teasing little jitterbug with a skittish groove and delicate piano riff, whilst on the flip "Throwing Faces" is tasty little firecracker.
"The crowd you hear on "Throwing Faces" is not a random sample, but the actual Berghain crowd. I recorded them when I played live there last summer. It was one of the best gigs in my career so I thought it might be nice to immortalise it in this way."
Gregor has delivered yet another heavyweight release for us here at Ovum and following up Luca Bacchetti's sun-soaked "On The Moon" ep, we are now set and ready for the Florida sunshine... Lets roll!


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Gregor Tresher returns to Ovum for the follow up to his hugely successful Joker EP. As Days Go By EP features two funky monsters “As Days Go By” and “Moving Islands”. On the A side we get the title track “As Days Go By”, which will move any dance floor, is driven by an infectious bassline. It goes through peaks and valleys, but the end result is pure energy. The B side “Moving Islands” is more of the same, but Gregor does it with a different twist. The groovy guitar riff funks things along with vocal snippets and organ stabs, that make this a dance floor destroyer. Two great tracks that will be sure to cause a ruckus this sping!


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Tracklist: (1) Damiano von Erckert – Steam (Staub Mix) (DE-Q20-24-00015)
(2) Damiano von Erckert – Dad Was Not Around (DE-Q20-24-00016)
(3) Damiano von Erckert – Roh (DE-Q20-24-00017)
(4) Damiano von Erckert – Fantazia 93 (DE-Q20-24-00018)


Long overdue, we are happy to welcome Damiano von Erckert to Cocoon Recordings with his debut single, bringing late summer vibes that were well worth the wait. Damiano's lovely energy shines through in this EP, resulting in music that blends soulful character with his signature house sound.

“Steam (Staub Mix)” lifts your spirits from the very first beat, and the summery vibe of the housey Rhodes piano brings a smile to your face. Yet, the track retains a somewhat wistful and melancholy feel. Skillful intonation gives the break a jazzy feel, it's this friction that makes it special. Von Erckert showcases his skill with this playful arrangement, sure to have dancers' hands reaching skyward. The second track “Das Was Not Around” is a masterclass in purism, where simplicity meets profound emotion. Swirly synth pads unfold to create a dreamy, immersive atmosphere, pulling listeners into its depths. Despite its introspective title, a sense of hopefulness permeates the track, as if reaching for light through the shadows. Damiano’s approach allows every element to shine, making the deep grooves and ethereal sounds feel both intimate and expansive. It’s a journey of reflection yet imbued with a quiet optimism that lingers long after the final beat fades.

The essence of reduced Chicago drumming is brilliantly embodied in “Roh”, channeling a raw, stripped-back rhythm that strikes with precision and purpose. This forms the bedrock of a composition that feels timeless. The track carries an unmistakable grandeur, echoing the majestic hymns of certain legendary French artists. As the beats develop, they evoke a profound sense of reverence and nostalgia, seamlessly blending classic house influences with a modern edge. It's a track that honors the roots while confidently advancing the frontiers of contemporary house music. "Fantazia 93" is a nostalgic dive into a ‘90s House vibe, channeling the essence of that unforgettable era with authenticity. Damiano's signature sounds are front and center, infusing the track with a unique touch that’s fresh while reminiscent of classic house anthems. The track exudes an Ibiza after-hour feeling, transporting listeners to those sun-drenched days where time seems to stand still. It’s a sonic journey that feels like sunbeams warming the skin, bathing the senses in a radiant, feel-good energy that resonates long after.







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Tracklist:
(1) Riccardo De Polo – Ascension (DE-Q20-24-00011)
(2) Riccardo De Polo – Wahnstimmung (DE-Q20-24-00012)
(3) Riccardo De Polo – Inception (DE-Q20-24-00013)


The epochal energy of "Ascension" captivated us from the very first moment, making it an ideal intro track. With its cinematic soundtrack reminiscent of "Vangelis", Italian producer Riccardo De Polo has crafted a sublimely ethereal experience that transports listeners into the vast expanse of space. As stars and planets drift by, the music beckons us to explore further, to surrender ourselves to the moment. The low strings serve as a booster until the rocket engine roars to life and the spaceship disappears into another galaxy.

Subsequently the polyrhythmic sequence of "Wahnstimmung" spirals abstractly far below the cerebral cortex. The driving bass drum, paired with shakers and percussion, propels the composition forward at a steady pace. The tension intensifies, painting a picture of liquid metal pouring into a melting pot.
Pure, stripped-down techno as we know it from its origins.

"Inception" hypnotically takes you into a deep state of trance, engulfing you in a tribe's energy. It’s truly a classic Cocoon sound that has its very own place in Sven's sets. The vigor is palpable, the shimmering sequence will make the dust visibly glow above the open-air dance floors while the air begins to shimmer. Noisy snare drums heat the narrowed arrangement to the absolute boiling point. This is the energy we have been looking for!






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Tracklist: (1) Sven Väth – L'Esperanza (Original Album Version) (DE-Q20-24-00009)
(2) Sven Väth – L'Esperanza (Hardspace Mix) (DE-Q20-24-00010)


L'Esperanza (Hope) is undoubtedly one of Sven Väth's greatest hits. After more than 30 years, we are very proud to revive this timeless masterpiece for you on Cocoon Recordings. The artwork of the A-side is from the original 12" cover, which was released on Eye Q Records back then. Anyone who knows Sven recognizes that he has always felt free and evolved in terms of appearance and style. That's why we instantly loved the idea of Sven re-staging himself in the same pose but in a new guise. This picture disc documents a 30-year-long transformation, both sonically and visually. It is a beautiful journey through time and a true collector’s item.

A1: L'Esperanza (Original Album Version) 1993 Produced in 1993, this track has certainly not lost any of its charm over the years. Lovely string sounds envelop you in a cloud of comfort, while the filtered downbeat emphasizes this feeling of lightness. The catchy tune of the playful synthesizer melody invites you to close your eyes and start dreaming. Let yourself fall into a deep state of meditation and trance. The airy electric bassline comes with a charismatic power and opens a door to the subconscious, calling on you to dive deep. The atmosphere of this composition sits somewhere between drifting through the sea and hovering through space.

B1: L'Esperanza (Hardspace Mix) 2023 A revised version of the "Hope Will Move Mountains Mix" by "Visions Of Shiva" occurs on the B-Side in the form of Len Faki’s hardspace mix. Len is renowned for his elegant edits and refined modifications as part of his side project, this time delivering a stripped-down 135 BPM version that fits perfectly into the current zeitgeist. A club version of "L'Esperanza" that radiates a high level of euphoric energy, constantly pushing the rhythm patterns forward. All hands go up in the air at the latest when the piano part starts in the middle section. Let’s go back to the good old days of the original 90s trance sound since the cheerful arpeggio synth melody takes us along.

What is certain, you can't tell that either version has been around for 30 years.




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10“ Vinyl with hand-stamped cover and labels

Tracklisting:

A1. DeFeKT x Extrawelt – Cell Sync (DE-Q20-23-00029)
B1. DeFeKT x Extrawelt – In The Space Of… (DE-Q20-23-00030)


After their debut 12" on Feel My Bicep and their contribution "Halluzinelle" to the Dots And Pearls 7 compilation, DeFeKT and Extrawelt are joining forces again.

In the act of remembering the true spirit of no-nonsense, raw, and direct techno, they created these two masterfully executed, original, and timeless cuts.

Each time they get together they come up with something truly unique, blending their styles effortlessly and seamlessly. Their expertise, knowledge, and recognition of our music's history just radiates out of this release. Both tracks immediately captured our souls here at Cocoon headquarters and we couldn't be more excited to put them out right away on this beautiful, limited, hand-stamped 10" vinyl.




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- 3x12“ gatefold vinyl – with turquoise foil embossing

Tracklisting:

LP
1. (A1) Sven Väth – Silvi‘s Dream (Damiano Von Erckert Remix)
2. (A2) Sven Väth – What I Used To Play (Roman Flügel Remix)
3. (B1) Sven Väth – The Worm (Robag Wruhme Remix)
4. (B2) Sven Väth – We Are (Jonathan Kaspar Remix)
5. (C1) Sven Väth – Feiern (Krystal Klear Remix)
6. (C2) Sven Väth – Mystic Voices (Benjamin Damage Remix)
7. (D1) Sven Väth – Nyx (PAS Deep Heet Remix)
8. (D2) Sven Väth – Butoh (Robert Hood Remix)
9. (E1) Sven Väth – Nyx (Planetary Assault Systems Remix)
10. (E2) Sven Väth – Being In Love (Harald Björk Remix)
11. (F1) Sven Väth – Catharsis (Mano Le Tough Remix)
12. (F2) Sven Väth – Silvi‘s Dream (Florian Hollerith Remix)

The life-affirming energy at the heart of Sven Väth‘s recent album Catharsis is revisited, reanimated,
and remixed by some of the most exciting names around, closing the circle on a superlative burst of
recent work that has not only given us the epic original LP, but also the extraordinary compilation What
I Used To Play.

Roman Flügel, Benjamin Damage, Robert Hood, Planetary Assault Systems, Mano Le Tough… do we
need to go on? This hand-picked list of luminaries have answered the call and certainly don’t
disappoint, each fusing their signature sound with Sven‘s DNA to create a wild, uncompromising
companion piece to the original album.

True to form, the running order is very much rooted on the dance floor, Silvi‘s Dream, revisited by
Damiano von Erckert, explodes like a Balearic sunrise. Dreamy strings with a touch of Detroit create a
lovely atmosphere while the beautiful piano sound goes right into your heart and appears as if you
could feel the warm sun on your skin. Roman Flügel’s acidic rework of What I Used To Play is a
homage to the 80s and the early sound of electronic music which creates nostalgic feelings and offers
a greatly produced retro soundscape à la Kraftwerk. Staying close to the original, but with the perfect
amount of spin, it’s a symbiotic interplay of synthetic bass pads, and a tiny bell melody. Robag
Wruhme’s cranking minimal funk takes us down The Worm-hole. A concise interference sound builds
up sustained tension, tangled but structured, deep and yet driving. Robag took over the deep and dirty
rhythms of the original perfectly and delivers a versatile piece. This opening salvo oozes quality and
sets things up perfectly for the electrified celebration of hi-octane technology come.

Jonathan Kaspar‘s growling interpretation of We Are provides a melancholic atmosphere with
fascinating percussion parts. Zaps shoot through the air like small laser pistols while we let ourselves
be carried away by the bass, the frisky vocal stutter effect is the icing on the cake. Speeding things up,
the euphoric trance that engulfs Krystal Klear’s epic version of Feiern. Expansive strings increase up
to ecstasy and guide us to a love-filled unity. This remix is sure to be an excellent peak-time smasher
for the open-air season. On to a wild ride of pure techno with Benjamin Damage, who delivers a dry
and uncompromising Berlin Techno version of Mystic Voices. Harder pace but the string synthesizer
harmony brings light to an otherwise gloomy environment. Next up is Luke Slater’s PAS Deep Heet
Mix to add a retro nineties vibe to proceedings on Nyx. Entering a rough space with gigantic clap
impacts, we are blessed with straightforward Techno. Shimmering and spooling, this groove hits the
mark. Then, as if it was ever in doubt, Sven‘s lofty place in the techno firmament is underlined by a
peak-time contribution by non-less than Detroit legend Robert Hood. Unmistakable, you must
recognize the signature Robert Hood drive on Butoh. Chord stabs fulfill the Detroit feeling with offtaking string elements and high-energy vocal transformations. It’s a warm embrace that triggers
emotions. Planetary Assault Systems then blasts things ever deeper into the cosmos on a second
outing of Nyx. Reduced and to the point but of course, true to form, with powerful tribal percussion
parts and intensive cutting hi-hats.

From there on in, the collection gradually re-enters the atmosphere, burning with a phosphorescent,
melancholy glow. Harald Björk extrapolates Being In Love into a hypnotic groove for the early hours. A
playful and atmospheric electronica interpretation to soothe our souls due to disharmonious synth
pads and a dreamy deformation of the original melody. Mano Le Tough harnesses the ethno-rhythms
and brooding energy of Catharsis into a low-slung, tribal stomper. Anomalous organ parts ring out and
link up with a trance-like sequence, summer feelings arouse as you feel like you can almost smell
Ibizan air. The collection comes full circle with a second equally seductive interpretation of Silvi‘s
Dream by Florian Hollerith. Stripped-down and hypnotic, the homage to Sven's girlfriend Silvi is
extended as a reverence to Sven himself. Sven's profound vocals clearly infuse time and space and
leave a forever-lasting memory of love.

By accident or design, it somehow leaves us with the reassuring sense that, although this specific part
of the journey may be drawing to a close, the mission of the man behind it all most definitely isn't.

written & produced by: Sven Väth & Gregor Tresher

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Tracklist:
(1) Raxon – Robotalia (DE-Q20-23-00013)
(2) Raxon – Kryptonite (DE-Q20-23-00014)

Release Info:
Next up is an overdue reunion with a familiar face. After his outstanding contribution to Cocoon Compilation S and his first solo EP on Cocoon Recordings, Raxon is back with a more than equally fascinating sound. The Egyptian-born and now Barcelona-based artist is back on it again, delivering two tracks that will take you on a journey through the depths of robotic soundscapes.
Intricate beats, hypnotic synthesizer melodies, deep bassline grooves, and distinctive EFX sounds create Raxon’s very special signature sound.

Straight drum programming paired with chirping percussions takes us away to embark on a travel through space and time while distinctive claps poke through a futuristic nebula of floating and shifting sequences. The twisted melody of “Robotalia” carries us to a parallel dimension of machine sound and if you listen closely, you can hear the robots’ screwing and sawing. Warping bleeps and mechanical effects complete the robotic feeling. Raxon’s understanding of structures and architectural abilities are reflected through the arrangement, slowly increasing to ecstasy.

“Kryptonite” scores with alien soundscapes. Stuttering vocals are the questions, while futuristic and dramatic chord stabs are the direct answer. A straight, radiant sound appears as an electronic trombone from outer space, offensively supporting the driving bassline. The symbiotic interplay between the euphoric synthesizer hook line and the relentless beat with pushing sharp hi-hats visualize powerful images in one's mind's eye. Suddenly the beat stagnates and results in a morphing break going head over heels developing a start-stop pitch effect that not only builds up tremendous tension but also bears an increased risk of melting your brain. We just love tape delay!





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Tracklist:
(A1) Metal Master – Spectrum (Bart Skils & Weska Reinterpretation)
(B1) Metal Master – Spectrum (Original Mix)

Release Info:

black 12-inch vinyl + cover with rainbow silver foil

You may have already been waiting for this one. After the limited splattered one-sided vinyl edition, this 12-inch pressing comes with the remastered original mix on the B-side.

The original, the second release on the label Harthouse at the time, is an all-time classic and went down in the music history of Frankfurt. Thirty years later, the track by Sven Väth and A.C. Boutsen has not lost its shine and will certainly continue to provide goosebump moments.

Techno is all too often described as timeless but while most of it eventually evaporates into the ether, there are some riffs, melodies, and breakdowns that remain etched into our collective consciousness forever. Legendary Frankfurt label Harthouse is home to more than its fair share of such moments, but you must go all the way back to 1992, the opening strains of the Metal Master classic ‘Spectrum’ to locate the source for this special single-sided remix release.

The common denominator and catalyst to all this is of course Sven Väth, co-creator of ‘Spectrum’ and founder of both Harthouse and Cocoon Recordings, while the independent variables in the equation are Bart Skils and Weska, who lend their considerable talent and vision to this sublime makeover.

Coming on like rolling thunder, sparks fly immediately as crackling vocoder licks, silky ride cymbals and soaring arpeggios build an atmosphere taut with anticipation before giving way to that iconic melody - a love letter from Frankfurt to Ibiza, wrought from metal, drenched in distortion yet pulling at the heartstrings - the perfect soundtrack to any chemical sunrise.

It‘s a powerful re-interpretation that pays the warmest respects to the original and, despite the relentless groove, there is still room for sentimentality - an invitation to momentarily pause for thought and reflect on the journey so far as the sumptuous breakdown washes over the dance-floor. But not for long, the simmering bass line soon emerges from the euphoria and the track kicks in again, driving us forward towards a new, uncharted spectrum of possibilities.





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- exclusive 12x12" vinyl box set with silver hot foil embossing
- twelve individual colored disco sleeves with distinct full-size portraits of Sven from the 80s

Tracklisting:

LP
1. (A1) Logic System - Unit
2. (A2) Kraftwerk - Computerwelt (2009 Remastered)
3. (B1) Whodini - Magic's Wand
4. (B2) Rocker's Revenger - Walking on Sunshine (feat. Donnie Calvin)
5. (C1) Klein & MBO - Dirty Talk (European Connection)
6. (D1) Liaisons Dangereuses - Los Niños Del Parque
7. (D2) Yello - Bostich
8. (E1) The The - Giant
9. (F1) The Residents - Kaw-Liga
10. (G1) Clan Of Xymox - Stranger
11. (G2) A Split - Second - Flesh
12. (H1) Severed Heads - Dead Eyes Opened
13. (H2) The Weathermen - Poison!
14. (I1) New Order - Blue Monday
15. (J1) Anne Clark - Our Darkness
16. (J2) 16 Bit - Where Are You?
17. (K1) Phuture - We Are Phuture
18. (K2) Model 500 - No UFO's (Vocal)
19. (L1) Frankie Knuckles feat. Jamie Principle - Your Love
20. (L2) Quest - Mind Games (Street Mix)
21. (M1) Jasper van't Hof - Pili Pili
22. (N1) Guem Et Zaka Percussion - Le Serpent
23. (N2) Hugh Masekela - Don't Go Lose It Baby
24. (O1) Sly & Robbie - Make 'Em Move
25. (O2) Brian Eno - David Byrne - Help Me Somebody
26. (P1) Primal Scream - Loaded (Andy Weatherall Mix)
27. (Q1) The Ecstasy Club - Jesus Loves The Acid
28. (R1) Foremost Poets - Reason To Be Dismal?
29. (S1) Lhasa - The Attic
30. (S2) A Guy Called Gerald - Voodoo Ray
31. (T1) M/A/R/R/S - Pump up the Volume - USA 12" Mix
32. (T2) Bobby Konders - Nervous Acid
33. (U1) Meat Beat Manifesto - Helter Skelter
34. (V1) Raze - Break 4 Love
35 (W1) Sueño Latino with Manuel Goettsching performing E2-E4
- Sueño Latino (Paradise Version)
36. (X1) OFF - Electrica Salsa


Sven Väth - What I Used To Play

For this uniquely personal retrospective spread over twelve vinyl discs, Sven Väth takes us back to the early days of his DJ career. On What I Used To Play we meet great pioneers of electronic music, gifted percussionists, obscure wave bands, and innovative producers of a bygone 'new electronic' era. Rough beats and irresistible grooves from the identification stage of house, techno, and acid remind us not just how far electronic music has evolved over the past four decades, but how great it was to dance to EBM, techno, and house for the very first time.

If there is one protagonist of the electronic music scene who has remained curious, innovative and at the very cutting edge of music for over four decades, it's Sven Väth. His multi-layered artist albums and Sound of the Season mix compilations have been defining the genre for over two decades, and even today, he is constantly on the lookout for the next top tune to add to the highlights of his next set. At least, that's the case when he's not producing them himself as an artist or remixer. "Actually, it's always been part of my DNA to think ahead," and nothing had been further from his mind than looking back at his past, but when in spring of 2020 the international DJ circuit had to be scaled down to virtually zero, the 'restless traveler' suddenly had time. Time to stop and reflect on "how it actually was back then, at the very beginning of my career..."

"It was a great trip and with every track, beautiful memories came flooding back".
In the London apartment, he had just moved into, Sven has set up a "little music room", where he cocooned himself for several days, "to look way back for the first time and review my musical journey through the eighties, so to speak."

The interim result was six thematically oriented playlists with a grand total of 120 tracks from 'early 80s' to 'Balearic late 80s', together with excursions into afrobeat, European new wave, and EBM sounds and a few epochal techno/house tracks from the USA in between. From these 'Best of Sven Väth's favorites', the project What I Used To Play crystallized. Sven remembers how the Cocoon team reacted to his proposal: "They found the idea of making a compilation out of it MEGA from the beginning and everyone said 'Sven, go for it', but then, of course, the work really started, namely, to clear the rights and to get clean sounding masters of the up to 40-year-old tracks. There was also disappointment, of course. We couldn't clear certain titles because the rights holders in the USA had fallen out with each other or simply disappeared from the scene. In short, it wasn't easy, but now I can safely say we got the most important tracks."

Finally, after two years of research, curation, design, and administrative fine-tuning, the "little retrospective" from 1981 to 1990 is available. The exquisitely packaged, and three-kilo heavy box set is not only physically impressive, WIUTP is also the definitive record of Sven Väth's musical development. On each of the twenty-four sides of vinyl, you can trace track by track, what influenced him during which phase, and how he took off as a DJ from his parents' Queen's Pub straight into the spotlight at Dorian Gray. There and at Vogue (later OMEN), Sven became the style-defining player in the DJ booth that he still is today.




1981 - 1990: Future Sounds of Now

In the early eighties, the crowd in clubs like Vogue and Dorian Gray danced to what nowadays we call 'dance classics' - mainly disco, funk, soul, and chart pop. It was up to a new generation of DJs, including Sven Väth, the youngest protagonist in the Rhine-Main area at the time, to create their own club-ready music mix. Good new tracks and potential floor-fillers were rarities that had to be sought out and found, in order to prove oneself worthy.
Without MP3s, internet streaming, or other digital download possibilities, music didn't just gravitate to the DJ, instead, it had to be tracked down. In well-stocked record stores in Frankfurt and Wiesbaden or even in Amsterdam, London, or New York, Sven and friends sourced the material for countless magical nights. On WIUTP we can follow Sven's very personal journey through this wild, innovative era in which synth-pop, funk, hip-hop, and disco were successively replaced as 'club music' by house, techno, acid, and breakbeat. By the end of the decade, it was clear to see that these once exotic 'fringe' phenomena would soon become 'mass' phenomena.



Early 80s

Dirty Talk by the Italian-American duo Klein & M.B.O. represents the most innovative phase of the Italo-disco genre in the early eighties like no other track. Mario Boncaldo (I) and Tony Carrasco relied entirely on the original synthetic drum and percussion sounds of the Roland TR-808, coupled with the raunchy vocals of Rossana Casale and guitar accents of Davide Piatto. Of course, other tracks from this period were also influential in style, most notably Unit by Logic System, which worked as the perfect soundtrack to the laser lighting system at the legendary Dorian Gray club. With stomping beats and robotic rap interludes, Bostich by Yello also belongs on Sven's eternal playlist - after all, it caught the attention of Afrikaa Bambaataa, who invited the Swiss duo to perform at the Roxy in New York in 1983.



EBM Wave - Mid 80s

From today's point of view, the almost ten-minute-long, downtempo track Giant by Matt Johnson's band project The The, would probably not be considered an obvious club classic. However, a closer (re)listen reveals the rhythmic intricacies of the percussion overdubs by JG Thirlwell (aka Foetus) on Johnson's composition, and it becomes clear why this exceptional piece of music is one of Sven's absolute favorites. Other classics from this phase include Kaw-Liga by the mysterious The Residents, the hypnotic-synthetic Our Darkness by Anne Clark (and David Harrow), and last but not least, the somber, monotonous anthem Where Are You? by 16Bit, one of Sven Väth's projects together with Michael Münzing, Luca Anzilotti from 1986.



US House - Late 80s

You certainly can't talk about Chicago house without mentioning Frankie Knuckles. The resident DJ at the Warehouse not only gave the name to an entire genre, but also produced epochal floor fillers on the Trax label like the timeless Your Love, sung (and moaned) by Jamie Principle. Acid house protagonists Phuture also hail from Chicago, and on We Are Phuture (also released on Trax) we hear the chirping acid sounds of the legendary Roland TB-303 in full effect. Another featured classic is No UFO's by Detroit's Model 500 aka Juan Atkins, who is rightly considered the 'Godfather of Techno' even if the genre-defining track from 1985 still breathes with the spirit of hip-hop and electro from the first breakdance era.





Afrobeat

Le Serpent, by Algerian-born Abdelmadjid Guemguem, is a track that sounds completely different from everything else on WIUTP. Made in 1978, it's a monumental, rousing groove created without bass or synths, just with five congas! Even though Guem sadly passed away in 2021, his immortal, acoustic beats are understood all over the world and will continue to enrich many thousands of DJ sets for years to come. Another classic that not only Sven appreciates beyond measure is Hugh Masekela's Don't Go Lose it, Baby. In addition to being one of the most important jazz pioneers, the trumpeter and freedom fighter from Johannesburg was very experimental, integrating electronic sounds into his music in later years, in a similar vein to Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. Dutch jazz pianist Jasper van't Hof's afrobeat project Pili Pili has also aged well. The trance-like, almost sixteen-minute-long track of the same name, manages to fill a whole side on the seventh of twelve vinyl discs in the WIUTP box.



UK-US-Euro - Late 80s

Time for a change of scene, in the truest sense of the word, and from a musical perspective, this section is like landing on another planet. First up is Andrew Weatherall's classic remix of Primal Scream's Loaded, featuring the iconic Peter Fonda sample (lifted from the 1966 biker film Wild Angels) that came to personify the mood triggered by the British Second Summer of Love in the late eighties: "We wanna be free to do what we wanna do, and we wanna get loaded...". This period also saw the emergence of M/A/R/R/S whose only single, 1987's Pump Up The Volume, became a club classic with support from DJ legend CJ Mackintosh. In this most eclectic of sections, we also encounter New York house and reggae producer Bobby Konders and his seminal Nervous Acid.



Balearic - Late 80s

Those who know him, know that Sven had already lost his heart to the 'magic island' of Ibiza as a teenager, so with that in mind, the WIUTP project couldn't end without a Balearic chapter. Inspired by Manuel Göttsching's E2-E4, the immortal, eponymously titled Sueño Latino belongs in there without question. Equally popular on the island was, and still is Break 4 Love by Raze, which thinking about it, would also fit perfectly into the house chapter. Last, but not least, there's an overdue reunion with Sven Väth himself, in his role as frontman of the successful Frankfurt trio OFF. Together with Michael Münzing and Luca Anzilotti (later of Snap!) this 'Organization For Fun' created the off-the-wall club hit Electric Salsa in 1986 which incidentally turned into an international chart smash, putting Sven in the enviable position of having to decide between pop stardom and a DJ career. Well, we all know how that decision turned out and the rest, as they say, is history. A not insignificant part of his story is What I Used To Play. Enjoy!





Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

- exclusive deluxe digipak slipcase with silver hot foil embossing



Tracklisting:

CD
1. (CD1) Logic System - Unit
2. (CD1) Kraftwerk - Computerwelt (2009 Remastered)
3. (CD1) Whodini - Magic's Wand
4. (CD1) Rocker's Revenger - Walking on Sunshine (feat. Donnie Calvin)
5. (CD1) Klein & MBO - Dirty Talk (European Connection)
6. (CD1) Liaisons Dangereuses - Los Niños Del Parque
7. (CD1) Yello - Bostich
8. (CD1) The The - Giant
9. (CD1) The Residents - Kaw-Liga
10. (CD1) Clan Of Xymox - Stranger
11. (CD1) A Split - Second - Flesh
12. (CD1) Severed Heads - Dead Eyes Opened
13. (CD1) 16 Bit - Where Are You?

1. (CD2) The Weathermen - Poison!
2. (CD2) New Order - Blue Monday
3. (CD2) Anne Clark - Our Darkness
4. (CD2) Phuture - We Are Phuture
5. (CD2) Model 500 - No UFO's (Vocal)
6. (CD2) Frankie Knuckles feat. Jamie Principle - Your Love
7. (CD2) Quest - Mind Games (Street Mix)
8. (CD2) Jasper van't Hof - Pili Pili
9. (CD2) Guem Et Zaka Percussion - Le Serpent
10. (CD2) Hugh Masekela - Don't Go Lose It Baby
11. (CD2) Sly & Robbie - Make 'Em Move

1. (CD3) Brian Eno - David Byrne - Help Me Somebody
2. (CD3) Primal Scream - Loaded (Andy Weatherall Mix)
3. (CD3) The Ecstasy Club - Jesus Loves The Acid
4. (CD3) Foremost Poets - Reason To Be Dismal?
5. (CD3) Lhasa - The Attic
6. (CD3) A Guy Called Gerald - Voodoo Ray
7. (CD3) M/A/R/R/S - Pump up the Volume - USA 12" Mix
8. (CD3) Bobby Konders - Nervous Acid
9. (CD3) Meat Beat Manifesto - Helter Skelter
10. (CD3) Raze - Break 4 Love
11. (CD3) Sueño Latino with Manuel Goettsching performing E2-E4
- Sueño Latino (Paradise Version)
12. (CD3) OFF - Electrica Salsa



Sven Väth - What I Used To Play

For this uniquely personal retrospective spread over twelve vinyl discs, Sven Väth takes us back to the early days of his DJ career. On What I Used To Play we meet great pioneers of electronic music, gifted percussionists, obscure wave bands, and innovative producers of a bygone 'new electronic' era. Rough beats and irresistible grooves from the identification stage of house, techno, and acid remind us not just how far electronic music has evolved over the past four decades, but how great it was to dance to EBM, techno, and house for the very first time.

If there is one protagonist of the electronic music scene who has remained curious, innovative and at the very cutting edge of music for over four decades, it's Sven Väth. His multi-layered artist albums and Sound of the Season mix compilations have been defining the genre for over two decades, and even today, he is constantly on the lookout for the next top tune to add to the highlights of his next set. At least, that's the case when he's not producing them himself as an artist or remixer. "Actually, it's always been part of my DNA to think ahead," and nothing had been further from his mind than looking back at his past, but when in spring of 2020 the international DJ circuit had to be scaled down to virtually zero, the 'restless traveler' suddenly had time. Time to stop and reflect on "how it actually was back then, at the very beginning of my career..."

"It was a great trip and with every track, beautiful memories came flooding back".
In the London apartment, he had just moved into, Sven has set up a "little music room", where he cocooned himself for several days, "to look way back for the first time and review my musical journey through the eighties, so to speak."

The interim result was six thematically oriented playlists with a grand total of 120 tracks from 'early 80s' to 'Balearic late 80s', together with excursions into afrobeat, European new wave, and EBM sounds and a few epochal techno/house tracks from the USA in between. From these 'Best of Sven Väth's favorites', the project What I Used To Play crystallized. Sven remembers how the Cocoon team reacted to his proposal: "They found the idea of making a compilation out of it MEGA from the beginning and everyone said 'Sven, go for it', but then, of course, the work really started, namely, to clear the rights and to get clean sounding masters of the up to 40-year-old tracks. There was also disappointment, of course. We couldn't clear certain titles because the rights holders in the USA had fallen out with each other or simply disappeared from the scene. In short, it wasn't easy, but now I can safely say we got the most important tracks."

Finally, after two years of research, curation, design, and administrative fine-tuning, the "little retrospective" from 1981 to 1990 is available. The exquisitely packaged, and three-kilo heavy box set is not only physically impressive, WIUTP is also the definitive record of Sven Väth's musical development. On each of the twenty-four sides of vinyl, you can trace track by track, what influenced him during which phase, and how he took off as a DJ from his parents' Queen's Pub straight into the spotlight at Dorian Gray. There and at Vogue (later OMEN), Sven became the style-defining player in the DJ booth that he still is today.




1981 - 1990: Future Sounds of Now

In the early eighties, the crowd in clubs like Vogue and Dorian Gray danced to what nowadays we call 'dance classics' - mainly disco, funk, soul, and chart pop. It was up to a new generation of DJs, including Sven Väth, the youngest protagonist in the Rhine-Main area at the time, to create their own club-ready music mix. Good new tracks and potential floor-fillers were rarities that had to be sought out and found, in order to prove oneself worthy.
Without MP3s, internet streaming, or other digital download possibilities, music didn't just gravitate to the DJ, instead, it had to be tracked down. In well-stocked record stores in Frankfurt and Wiesbaden or even in Amsterdam, London, or New York, Sven and friends sourced the material for countless magical nights. On WIUTP we can follow Sven's very personal journey through this wild, innovative era in which synth-pop, funk, hip-hop, and disco were successively replaced as 'club music' by house, techno, acid, and breakbeat. By the end of the decade, it was clear to see that these once exotic 'fringe' phenomena would soon become 'mass' phenomena.



Early 80s

Dirty Talk by the Italian-American duo Klein & M.B.O. represents the most innovative phase of the Italo-disco genre in the early eighties like no other track. Mario Boncaldo (I) and Tony Carrasco relied entirely on the original synthetic drum and percussion sounds of the Roland TR-808, coupled with the raunchy vocals of Rossana Casale and guitar accents of Davide Piatto. Of course, other tracks from this period were also influential in style, most notably Unit by Logic System, which worked as the perfect soundtrack to the laser lighting system at the legendary Dorian Gray club. With stomping beats and robotic rap interludes, Bostich by Yello also belongs on Sven's eternal playlist - after all, it caught the attention of Afrikaa Bambaataa, who invited the Swiss duo to perform at the Roxy in New York in 1983.



EBM Wave - Mid 80s

From today's point of view, the almost ten-minute-long, downtempo track Giant by Matt Johnson's band project The The, would probably not be considered an obvious club classic. However, a closer (re)listen reveals the rhythmic intricacies of the percussion overdubs by JG Thirlwell (aka Foetus) on Johnson's composition, and it becomes clear why this exceptional piece of music is one of Sven's absolute favorites. Other classics from this phase include Kaw-Liga by the mysterious The Residents, the hypnotic-synthetic Our Darkness by Anne Clark (and David Harrow), and last but not least, the somber, monotonous anthem Where Are You? by 16Bit, one of Sven Väth's projects together with Michael Münzing, Luca Anzilotti from 1986.



US House - Late 80s

You certainly can't talk about Chicago house without mentioning Frankie Knuckles. The resident DJ at the Warehouse not only gave the name to an entire genre, but also produced epochal floor fillers on the Trax label like the timeless Your Love, sung (and moaned) by Jamie Principle. Acid house protagonists Phuture also hail from Chicago, and on We Are Phuture (also released on Trax) we hear the chirping acid sounds of the legendary Roland TB-303 in full effect. Another featured classic is No UFO's by Detroit's Model 500 aka Juan Atkins, who is rightly considered the 'Godfather of Techno' even if the genre-defining track from 1985 still breathes with the spirit of hip-hop and electro from the first breakdance era.





Afrobeat

Le Serpent, by Algerian-born Abdelmadjid Guemguem, is a track that sounds completely different from everything else on WIUTP. Made in 1978, it's a monumental, rousing groove created without bass or synths, just with five congas! Even though Guem sadly passed away in 2021, his immortal, acoustic beats are understood all over the world and will continue to enrich many thousands of DJ sets for years to come. Another classic that not only Sven appreciates beyond measure is Hugh Masekela's Don't Go Lose it, Baby. In addition to being one of the most important jazz pioneers, the trumpeter and freedom fighter from Johannesburg was very experimental, integrating electronic sounds into his music in later years, in a similar vein to Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. Dutch jazz pianist Jasper van't Hof's afrobeat project Pili Pili has also aged well. The trance-like, almost sixteen-minute-long track of the same name, manages to fill a whole side on the seventh of twelve vinyl discs in the WIUTP box.



UK-US-Euro - Late 80s

Time for a change of scene, in the truest sense of the word, and from a musical perspective, this section is like landing on another planet. First up is Andrew Weatherall's classic remix of Primal Scream's Loaded, featuring the iconic Peter Fonda sample (lifted from the 1966 biker film Wild Angels) that came to personify the mood triggered by the British Second Summer of Love in the late eighties: "We wanna be free to do what we wanna do, and we wanna get loaded...". This period also saw the emergence of M/A/R/R/S whose only single, 1987's Pump Up The Volume, became a club classic with support from DJ legend CJ Mackintosh. In this most eclectic of sections, we also encounter New York house and reggae producer Bobby Konders and his seminal Nervous Acid.



Balearic - Late 80s

Those who know him, know that Sven had already lost his heart to the 'magic island' of Ibiza as a teenager, so with that in mind, the WIUTP project couldn't end without a Balearic chapter. Inspired by Manuel Göttsching's E2-E4, the immortal, eponymously titled Sueño Latino belongs in there without question. Equally popular on the island was, and still is Break 4 Love by Raze, which thinking about it, would also fit perfectly into the house chapter. Last, but not least, there's an overdue reunion with Sven Väth himself, in his role as frontman of the successful Frankfurt trio OFF. Together with Michael Münzing and Luca Anzilotti (later of Snap!) this 'Organization For Fun' created the off-the-wall club hit Electric Salsa in 1986 which incidentally turned into an international chart smash, putting Sven in the enviable position of having to decide between pop stardom and a DJ career. Well, we all know how that decision turned out and the rest, as they say, is history. A not insignificant part of his story is What I Used To Play. Enjoy!





Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

single-sided multi-colored splattered 12-inch vinyl release

Tracklist: (1) Metal Master – Spectrum (Bart Skils & Weska Reinterpretation) (DE-Q20-22-00022)

Release Info:
Techno is all too often described as timeless but while most of it eventually evaporates into the ether, there are some riffs, melodies, and breakdowns that remain etched into our collective consciousness forever. Legendary Frankfurt label Harthouse is home to more than its fair share of such moments, but you have to go all the way back to 1992, the opening strains of the Metal Master classic ‘Spectrum’ to locate the source for this special single-sided remix release.

The common denominator and catalyst to all this is of course Sven Väth, co-creator of ‘Spectrum’ and founder of both Harthouse and Cocoon Recordings, while the independent variables in the equation are Bart Skils and Weska, who lend their considerable talent and vision to this sublime makeover.

Coming on like rolling thunder, sparks fly immediately as crackling vocoder licks, silky ride cymbals and soaring arpeggios build an atmosphere taut with anticipation before giving way to that iconic melody - a love letter from Frankfurt to Ibiza, wrought from metal, drenched in distortion yet pulling at the heartstrings - the perfect soundtrack to any chemical sunrise.

It‘s a powerful re-interpretation that pays the warmest respects to the original and, despite the relentless groove, there is still room for sentimentality - an invitation to momentarily pause for thought and reflect on the journey so far as the sumptuous breakdown washes over the dance-floor. But not for long, the simmering bass line soon emerges from the euphoria and the track kicks in again, driving us forward towards a new, uncharted spectrum of possibilities.





Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

Tracklist: (1) Harvey McKay – Black Spider (DE-Q20-22-00023)
(2) Harvey McKay – Sticky Carpet (DE-Q20-22-00024)
(3) Harvey McKay – Packed Lunch (DE-Q20-22-00025)
Harvey McKay makes a welcome return to Cocoon Recordings with the Black Spider EP, featuring
three heavy-duty cuts that spin out in a variety of directions, constructing a formidable web of peaktime mayhem in the process.
Black Spider bites hard from the get-go with a venomous bassline that pulses and mutates through a
series of precision peaks and troughs. The track kicks repeatedly, drenching the dancefloor in washes
of analog noise while McKay still finds space for a barrage of clattering percussion. Haunting ambient
voices and a mysterious spoken mantra add yet more texture to the cavernous, gothic atmosphere it
conjures.
Next up, the disconcertingly titled Sticky Carpet utilizes a 90s hard house vibe complete with
crunching, distorted beats, and a glistening octave-jumping synth pattern that slides and constricts
around the chugging bassline. However, the track really comes into its own as alternating metallic
patterns start to dominate in a homage to the hi-hat, whipping the dancefloor into shape as they switch
in and out, jostling relentlessly for attention.
Finally, hardcore junglist tendencies take center stage on Packed Lunch as another rasping,
doomsday bass rides the sonic spectrum, simultaneously spitting sparks and shaking the foundations
to the core. Scattered arpeggios add a certain discord to the fray as the pounding breakbeat hammers
out a pathway to oblivion. Packed Lunch definitely packs a punch, adding extra spice to an EP that’s
exclusively for the headstrong.

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

CD, Deluxe Printed with Matt Plastificaton, Embossing

Tracklisting:
CD
1. Sven Väth - What I Used To Play
2. Sven Väth - The Worm
3. Sven Väth - The Inner Voice
4. Sven Väth - Catharsis
5. Sven Väth - Feiern
6. Sven Väth - Mystic Voices
7. Sven Väth - Being In Love
8. Sven Väth - Butoh
9. Sven Väth - The Cranes Of Gangtey Valley
10. Sven Väth - We Are
11. Sven Väth - Silvi's Dream
12. Sven Väth - Panta Rhei


Catharsis is Sven Väth's first solo album in almost 20 years, and the 50th album to be released on his incomparable label, Cocoon Recordings. Produced alongside Gregor Tresher, it arrives on 25 February 2022 and is a musical autobiography that charts Svens most extraordinary life in techno.

Without the West German-born Väth, techno would look, sound and feel very different. Since falling in love with electronic music and DJing in 1981, his dedication to the art has never faltered. He plays every party as if it were his last. His broad smile has connected with millions of people around the world. His colourful and curious character has imbued techno with a personality it was often lacking. His selections remain hugely unpredictable, despite the fact that he has been playing around the world for more than 40 years. To remain not only relevant but innovative after so long is a testament to Sven's ability to connect through music on a deeper level.

Technically, of course, he is a DJ who can play for thirty hours and not miss a beat. His track selections seem almost divine, and his aura is certainly otherworldly. But more than that, he is a ringleader who is able to mix the artful side of techno with the playful side of partying. Most famously he has done this for more than 20 years at his iconic Cocoon parties in Ibiza. They single-handedly introduced techno to the White Isle and have been its beating heart ever since. Under his charge, strict style guidelines and exaggerated pigeonholing no longer apply. Instead, he has perfected the art of playing far and wide while always remaining true to his own musical identity.

In the studio, Sven has always been just as unique. He has worked under several aliases but always brought a fresh perspective. Whether securing chart hits as part of OFF in the eighties, serving up brutalist techno and trance-tinged sounds in the nineties or crafting major label albums in the 2000s, his music has remained utterly forward-looking. That legacy continues with Catharsis as Sven teams up with highly respected producer Gregor Tresher for his latest long-form offering. Tresher has long been part of the Cocoon family and is a revered artist in his own right, when the two got together in the studio it was clear they had an instant connection and there would only be one person fit to co-author this LP.

It is a record inspired by Sven's interest in the physical and spiritual processes that take place when we dance. "They are realms into which we immerse ourselves to experience our own mysticism and ecstasy," he muses. "Dancing is a conversation between body and soul and it spiritually connects us with each other." Because of the pandemic, that is of course a feeling that we all missed out on for so long. "No dancing, no paradise!" says Sven. "My imagination for this record was fueled by the many cultural experiences and encounters I have had in my life. They gave me the strength to find a way, the way to myself." And that way to himself is through music, through purifying dancing rituals and the exchange of spiritual energies that are generated in the club.

The thirteen-track album explores all facets of Sven's sound. It opens with the stomping drums but sleek synths of 'What I Used To Play' and unfolds through deep and dirty rhythms like 'The Worm', subtly euphoric highs on 'The Inner Voice' and the bubbly tribalism of the title track. There is the impassioned call-to-arms that is 'Feiern', peak-time melodic workout 'Mystic Voices' and soothing electronic lullabies like 'Being In Love'. The second half of the album takes in many more twists and turns such as the exotic strings and driving drums of 'Butoh', the paranoid techno minimalism of 'NYX' and expansive synthscapes of ambient gem 'The Cranes Of Gangtey Valley' before things play out though rugged beats and emotive chords on 'We Are', which is named after the idea that we are what we think. "With our thoughts, we make the world.? says Sven.

Then comes the moody reflection of 'Silvi's Dream', which was written in French for Sven's girlfriend. Last but not least we have the immersive dream that is 'Panta Rhei', which completes a trio of electronica tunes on the album. Ambient music has been an integral part on almost every album Sven has written because it can bring a certain emotional deepness, a quality that Sven always has been looking for.

'Catharsis' is an adventurous album that captures the good times, the sad times and, most importantly, the times of hope.

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

3LP, Gatefold, Deluxe Printed with Matt Plastificaton & Hot Foil Embossing

Tracklisting:
LP
1. (A1) Sven Väth - What I Used To Play
2. (A2) Sven Väth - The Worm
3. (B1) Sven Väth - Catharsis
4. (B2) Sven Väth - The Inner Voice
5. (C1) Sven Väth - Mystic Voices
6. (C2) Sven Väth - Nyx
7. (D1) Sven Väth - Butoh
8. (D2) Sven Väth - Feiern
9. (E1) Sven Väth - We Are
10. (E2) Sven Väth - Being In Love
11. (F1) Sven Väth - The Cranes Of Gangtey Valley
12. (F2) Sven Väth - Silvi's Dream
13. (F3) Sven Väth - Panta Rhei

Catharsis is Sven Väth's first solo album in almost 20 years, and the 50th album to be released on his incomparable label, Cocoon Recordings. Produced alongside Gregor Tresher, it arrives on 25 February 2022 and is a musical autobiography that charts Svens most extraordinary life in techno.

Without the West German-born Väth, techno would look, sound and feel very different. Since falling in love with electronic music and DJing in 1981, his dedication to the art has never faltered. He plays every party as if it were his last. His broad smile has connected with millions of people around the world. His colourful and curious character has imbued techno with a personality it was often lacking. His selections remain hugely unpredictable, despite the fact that he has been playing around the world for more than 40 years. To remain not only relevant but innovative after so long is a testament to Sven's ability to connect through music on a deeper level.

Technically, of course, he is a DJ who can play for thirty hours and not miss a beat. His track selections seem almost divine, and his aura is certainly otherworldly. But more than that, he is a ringleader who is able to mix the artful side of techno with the playful side of partying. Most famously he has done this for more than 20 years at his iconic Cocoon parties in Ibiza. They single-handedly introduced techno to the White Isle and have been its beating heart ever since. Under his charge, strict style guidelines and exaggerated pigeonholing no longer apply. Instead, he has perfected the art of playing far and wide while always remaining true to his own musical identity.

In the studio, Sven has always been just as unique. He has worked under several aliases but always brought a fresh perspective. Whether securing chart hits as part of OFF in the eighties, serving up brutalist techno and trance-tinged sounds in the nineties or crafting major label albums in the 2000s, his music has remained utterly forward-looking. That legacy continues with Catharsis as Sven teams up with highly respected producer Gregor Tresher for his latest long-form offering. Tresher has long been part of the Cocoon family and is a revered artist in his own right, when the two got together in the studio it was clear they had an instant connection and there would only be one person fit to co-author this LP.

It is a record inspired by Sven's interest in the physical and spiritual processes that take place when we dance. "They are realms into which we immerse ourselves to experience our own mysticism and ecstasy," he muses. "Dancing is a conversation between body and soul and it spiritually connects us with each other." Because of the pandemic, that is of course a feeling that we all missed out on for so long. "No dancing, no paradise!" says Sven. "My imagination for this record was fueled by the many cultural experiences and encounters I have had in my life. They gave me the strength to find a way, the way to myself." And that way to himself is through music, through purifying dancing rituals and the exchange of spiritual energies that are generated in the club.

The thirteen-track album explores all facets of Sven's sound. It opens with the stomping drums but sleek synths of 'What I Used To Play' and unfolds through deep and dirty rhythms like 'The Worm', subtly euphoric highs on 'The Inner Voice' and the bubbly tribalism of the title track. There is the impassioned call-to-arms that is 'Feiern', peak-time melodic workout 'Mystic Voices' and soothing electronic lullabies like 'Being In Love'. The second half of the album takes in many more twists and turns such as the exotic strings and driving drums of 'Butoh', the paranoid techno minimalism of 'NYX' and expansive synthscapes of ambient gem 'The Cranes Of Gangtey Valley' before things play out though rugged beats and emotive chords on 'We Are', which is named after the idea that we are what we think. "With our thoughts, we make the world.? says Sven.

Then comes the moody reflection of 'Silvi's Dream', which was written in French for Sven's girlfriend. Last but not least we have the immersive dream that is 'Panta Rhei', which completes a trio of electronica tunes on the album. Ambient music has been an integral part on almost every album Sven has written because it can bring a certain emotional deepness, a quality that Sven always has been looking for.

'Catharsis' is an adventurous album that captures the good times, the sad times and, most importantly, the times of hope.

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Germany
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Tracklist:
(1) Sven Väth – Mystic Voices (DE-Q20-22-00006)
(2) Sven Väth – Butoh (DE-Q20-22-00008)

Release Info:
Single release from the forthcoming album “Catharsis”, produced by Sven Va¨th & Gregor Tresher


The second release before the upcoming mighty new Sven Va¨th album “Catharsis” gives you another hint at what´s coming at you! Let us tell you, we couldn´t be more excited for everyone to finally experience Sven´s new masterpiece!

But before we unleash the beast, we decided to release a second single. This time containing two absolute highlight tracks. If you have heard Sven playing in the past months, you will recognize both, as they were pivotal moments in almost every set!

First up we have “Mystic Voices“, a track that was created during the early stages of the album production with Sven gathering ideas and words to finally record the unmistakable vocals during a hectic tour through India, and Gregor spending days and nights on the other side of the planet in his studio to process the stream of inspiration. When the two finally sat down together in the studio, the track emerged quickly. Some would call the instant vibe that magic that every creative mind is longing to find.

“Butoh” is a raw and dark force, influenced by Japanese dance, an art form that deeply touched Sven during his travels on Nippon Island. It´s an otherworldly sounding track, still based in the Techno Realm but heavily twisted by a long break that introduces Japanese percussions that eventually get topped by the haunting vocals of Cana Hatsushiba.






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Tracklist:
A ONE HUNDRED PYRENEES
B1 FLOOSS
B2 SAULAGRATZOS

Following up the 2022 „Tamarindo“ release by his band „Ottlix" (with Ottber / PERL132), Felix Hk presents his first solo 12“.

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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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Territory: Worldwide

GENRES:
Electronic, Techno

TRACKLIST:

A Side
Deeplight

B Side
Black Dog

SHORT INFO:

One the most prolific talents in the last forty years of house music, the ever-innovative Jerome Sydenham goes toe-to-toe against the emerging talents of Berlin's mysterious Cosmic Soldier, working together to deliver a potent two-tracker as the weighty first release of 2024 on Planet E.

Showcasing a new angle of the eternal, quintessential blend of house and techno on Carl Craig’s legendary imprint, ‘Deeplight’ soars on impressive layers of psychedelic texture and raw percussion as a querying, prophetic vocal leads towards a valley of urgent chords.

Mixed with the same undeniable weight and power, the hammering, insistent ‘Black Dog’ skirts with darkness before upending it with vintage Detroit keys, waves of euphoria rolling out of the gloom to move the dance.










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DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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Territory: WW-UK/EIRE & USA,Canada

2024 repress

Double Vinyl
Pressed on BioVinyl and packaged in environmental wrapping


To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Plastikman's redefining acid techno masterpiece, Sheet One, has been mastered from the original tapes and reissued on vinyl via Mute and NovaMute.

Released in 1993 on Mute's subsidiary label NovaMute, this record was the debut for Richie Hawtin's alias Plastikman. 30 years on Sheet One is a landmark album in the field of electronic music, it changed the shape of what the genre could be and became.

Introducing one of techno's most recognisable logos, the album achieved a degree of notoriety for its acid blotter-style perforated artwork. Musically it focuses on laser-precise minimalist rhythms to drive a series of echo-box acid lines that gradually acquire power over the course of lengthy album tracks, with frequent use of the Roland TB-303, which gained prominence in the electronic music world as a staple of Chicago's acid house scene. Hawtin once described Sheet One perfectly in an interview with MusicRadar, saying "...It's music for the end of the party as you're melting into the floor, which is exactly what the name Plastikman was made to represent."

This seminal album helped to establish the template for minimal techno, and is a must listen for lovers of electronic music.

Available on double bio vinyl.

TRACKLIST
A1 Drp
A2 Plasticity
A3 Gak
B1 Okx
B2 Helikopter
B3 Glob
C1 Plasticine
C2 Koma
D1 Vokx
D2 Smak
D3 Ovokx



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GENRE/S: Melodic House/Techno

TRACKLISTS:

A1. Reveries
A2. Harp
B1. Prophet
B2. Dawn

SHORT INFO:

Italian duo Mind Against deliver a 4-tracker to Maeve that shows a different side to their famed sound. Reveries is a deeper exploration littered with beautiful melodies and we're proud to add it as our 23rd release on the label.







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Germany
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2022 repress

Tracklist:
01 Moan (Trentemoller Remix)
02 Moan (Radioslave Remix)

Only released in October 2006, Anders Trentemøller‘s stunning debut-album „The Last Resort“ already evolved into one of the most successful independent albums of the year. Raving reviews all over the place, various elections as „album of the year“ and solid playlists at the radios express the huge interest in the fantastic album. While 2006 has been topped of with a tour through Australia, the first Trentemøller highlight in 2007 will be the release of „Moan“, the second single from the album. For the a-side Trentemøller himself created a brilliant remix of the „Moan“-Vocal Version, which has been released on the Bonus-CD of the limited edition album only. Trentemøller managed to keep the mystic melancholic vibe of the track featuring the vocals of danish talent Ane Trolle, but adds punshy drums, screaming synths and some more guitars to guarantee serious dancefloor-action. Radioslave aka Matt Edwards aka Rekid aka Quite Village, on of the most in demand remix artists at the moment (Moby, Booka Shade, Justice, Peace Division, Pet Shop Boys, Joakim etc) contributed a great remix on the flipside. Slowly building over reduced drumpatterns their mix culminates into a manic wall of sound. While Poker Flat 81 features the vocal versions of both Trentemøller‘s and Radioslve‘s remixes, the instrumental and dub versions will be released simultaneously

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Contact: [email protected]More

2025 repress

Tracklist

A1. Kosmische Conga
A2. Echopet
B1. Minehead
B2. Carinacid

Re-Dial 303.

The follow-up to the first Acid Sampler is now in the hands of a single artist. Space Dimension Controller does Running Back the honor to leave his fingerprints on the (usually) silver box - and it’s a match made in heaven. The Irish man’s music is mostly a nod to the subtle and more delicate ramifications of electronic music. His Acid Sampler is no exception. Most of the EP presents itself as an ode to the brain dance vibe of acid house rooted music. While leaving out the harder and faster styles of the genre, SDC manages to pour his heart and soul as a producer into these four charming tracks.

Kosmische Conga works as the leader of the pack and pirouettes with memorable hooks, synthesizer swells and descant acid lines. Echopet introverts the whole concept, while Minehead peaks with it. Named after the seaside town that harbored the Bloc Weekend festival, its a warp-free romantic reflex of the brain dance vibe – or a heartfelt love song for circuits. Carinacid completes the quartet with a chugging and hugging mid tempo beat that could have gone on forever. Acid test passed! Artwork by Gasius.













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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More