HEIKO LAUX & STEVE RACHMAD

Steve Rachmad is a Dutch Techno producer, DJ and remixer who has been cited as one of the most important European pioneers of the early Detroit and Chicago sound.

Initially Rachmad began Dj-ing and producing in Amsterdam in the 1980s, putting across a strong blend of disco influenced electronic sound. After a very early release in the mid 1980’s his sound changed dramatically as the influences of Detroit and Chicago became vitally important. He would later release for some such influences, like Derrick May who was a pioneer of this early sound, and Rachmad became for many one of the strongest European producers in this emerging genre.

Rachmad’s 1996 album, “Secret life of machines” released under the pseudonym
Sterac helped to cement his position as an important figure on the House and Techno scene and led to numerous subsequent releases and a successful career in remixing for the likes of Armin Van Buuren and Basement Jaxx.

His production and performance show great diversity shifting from stripped down old school electro to an exploration of darker deep house and techno and matched with his mastery of analogue production he creates a warm and engaging sound which has led him to become a favourite DJ throughout various global destinations.

Collaborating on this new production with Rachmad is vibrant German DJ and Producer Heiko Laux. Laux has been very closely linked to much innovation in Techno in his native Germany, using his musical talent to further the form.

Starting out mixing tapes for friends in his countryside hometown of Hessen, he quickly began to produce using whatever technology was available to him. The resulting sounds became central to the Kanzleramt group of artists, which later developed into the Kanzleramt label, and he began to cut his teeth in live venues around his local area.

After a rapid growth in notoriety Laux was signed up to play at the renowned club Omen in Frankfurt, which was as the heart of many good things that were happening on the German scene in the mid 1990’s. In 1996 he became the resident DJ at Omen and had a strong basis from which to explore and experiment with the sounds he wanted to create. This exploration led to his 1998 release ‘Liquidism’, a debut album, which perfectly represented the sonic motivations of the producer.

As he began to journey further a field to perform, the variety of ideas and influences he was exposed to helped to bolster his increasing abilities as a DJ. Influenced by Marco Carola he began to experiment with three decks, honing his skills in this style to produce a much deeper, fuller sound.

His desires to expand musically have seen subsequent collaborations with the likes of Jazz Musician Teo Schulte since Laux’s move to Berlin and also extended work with Serato Scratch live to help develop software and the scope of audio possibilities worldwide.

This series of new tracks follows earlier collaboration on such works as 2009’s EP Hutspot/Stamppot and promises to merge the progressive drive of these two great producers and keystones of European House and Techno to deliver excellent new material.