Tiefschwarz (Official)

In a world of ever recycled trends, Tiefschwarz (deep black) is that most classic of shades. Its timeless style is testament to its staying power, and with a DJ and production career spanning over 14 years, this German deep house duo have proven just how apt a moniker can be.

Born and bred in Stuttgart, brothers Ali and Basti Schwarz’s passion for techno and deep house flourished their initial experience as DJs in the early 90’s at the now legendary clubs that Ali ran in their home town, ON –U and Red Dog. This led to the formation of Tiefschwarz in 1997, from which they found rapid success with their debut single ‘Music’ (on Francois K’s Wave Music label) and album Ral 9005. By 2001, this had been licensed to the London label Classic Recordings from where they springboarded to international recognition. They decided to make the move to Berlin, at the time fast becoming the epicentre of a true electronic music renaissance, from where they pursued a hectic touring schedule and remixing the likes of Cassius, The Rapture, Missy Elliott, Kelis and their personal heroes Masters At Work. They then scored a double whammy with their all-conquering crossover hit remix of Spektrum’s ‘Kinda New’ and the single ‘Isst’ off their 2005 long-player, ‘Eat Books’. This was also the year that electrohouse dominated the charts and minimal the clubs, but Tiefschwarz have never allowed themselves to be tied down to a certain sound, staying true to their love of melody as demonstrated on their contribution to the Fabric mix series that year.

A series of high profile mixes in 2006, including Depeche Mode, Madonna, Roxy Music, Booka Shade, Phonique, Plastikman, dOP, and many others saw them continue perfecting their distinctive sound. Yet this was also the year in which Ali and Basti gravitated back to Berlin to found their own label, Souvenir. Basti explains “We like the idea of seeing music as a souvenir, an impression you take from somewhere. Something intimate that you remember”. They haven’t let this slow down their impressive production workload though, with a ten year anniversary compilation and a 2010 follow up album ‘Chocolate’ made in collaboration with Santé, and featuring Cassy, Seth Troxler, Dave Aju amongst others. At a perfect time to take stock of their career, the brothers are proudly contributing the ninth installment in the Watergate mix series, and have chosen a number of tracks that simultaneously pay homage to the tracks that shaped the beginnings of their career whilst also remaining very much forward looking. After years of constant touring, however, their Souvenir label has allowed them to lay down more permanent roots back in Berlin. It’s a place to foster talent, both young and old, not only in a sense of releasing records but also as a platform to share mutual experiences within a common network, a close core of artists work together including Ruede Hagelstein, Maher Daniel, the brothers Santé and Re.You, Ali & Basti at the helm. With plenty more artists on the roster as well as a digital only subsidiary, Souvenir Plus, and a debut LP from Hagelstein on the horizon, there is promise of plenty yet to come for the Schwarz brothers’ imprint.

Discography

Releases1999 – Music - Wave Music2001 - Thru A Little Window - Classic Recordings2001 - You - Four Music2002 - Hello Again - Classic Recordings2002 - Never - Classic Recordings2002 - RAL9005 - Classic Recordings2003 – Ghostrack - Four Music2003 - Nix - Classic Recordings2004 - Blow - International Deejay Gigolo Records2005 - Eat Books - Fine2005 - Issst - Four Music2005 - Wait & See - Four Music/Fine2005 - Warning Siren - Four Music/Fine2006 - Damage - Fine2006 - Fly - Four Music
2007 - Original - Souvenir Recordings2007 - 10 Years Of Blackmusik - Souvenir Recordings2008 - Liquid Cherries – Cocoon2008 - Tiefschwarz - Blackmusic2009 - Simple, Maybe Part 1+2 - Souvenir2009 - Voodoobus - Viva2009 - Trust feat. Seth Troxler - Souvenir2009 - Powpow - Souvenir Plus2009 - Fall In / Keep On - Cocoon2010 - Find Me Feat. Cassy – Souvenir2010 – The Whistler (12”) - Souvenir2010 - Chocolate (Album) - Souvenir

Remixes1996 Ultra Naté - Free1997 DPD feat. Rose Windross - Sign Your Name1998 Joi Cardwell - Soul to Bare1998 Jam & Spoon - Don't Call It Love1998 Mousse T. vs. Hot 'N' Juicy - Horny1998 Jennifer Paige - Crush1998 Spike - Respect1998 Byron Stingily - Testify1998 Suburban Soul - Lovin' You1998 Ultra Naté - New Kind of Medicine1999 Darryl D'Bonneau - Let There Be a Way1999 Masters at Work feat. La India - To Be in Love1999 RAH Band - Clouds Across the Moon2000 Awa Band - Timba2000 Danacee - Stop2000 Loreta - Trouble with Boys (Loreta Is High, Part 1 and Part 2)2000 Nosotros feat. Raul Paz - Contigo2000 Rapsody feat. MC Lyte & Danacee & Khaled - Time for a Change2000 Spike - Never Gonna Give You Up2001 Rick Astley - Sleeping2001 2raumwohnung - Sexy Girl2002 Cassius - The Sound of Violence2002 Groove Armada - Think Twice...2002 M.A.N.D.Y. & The Sunsetpeople - Sunsetpeople2003 Chicks on Speed - We Don't Play Guitars2003 Lost 'N' Alive - Feels Like Love2003 Mocky - Mickey Mouse Muthafuckers2003 The Rapture - Sister Saviour2003 Isolee - Brazil.com (Tiefschwarz Ole Ole Remix)
2003 Trüby Trio - Universal Love2004 Air Liquide feat. Khan - So Much Love2004 Hell - Listen to the Hiss2004 Kelis - Trick Me2004 Lopazz – Blood
2004 Phonique – The Red Dress2004 Spektrum - Kinda New2005 Chikinki - Something More2005 Missy Elliott - Teary Eyed2005 Freeform Five - Electromagnetic
2005 Goldfrapp - Ooh La La2006 Depeche Mode - John the Revelator2006 Madonna - Get Together
2009 Plastikman - Intro (From Our Minds To Yours) remix
2010 dOP – Stock Option

Souvenir Discography

2006 Ichundu – Hey
2006 Phonique – What I Fake
2007 Riton – Hammer Of Thor
2007 Tom Mangan – Mysterious Ex-Teacher / Texas
2007 Tiefschwarz – 10 Years Of Tiefschwarz Blackmusik Remixed
2007 Ziggy Kinder – QuepasaMaria?!
2008 Psychonauts – World Keeps Turning
2008 Ruede Hagelstein – The Modest EP
2008 Tim Paris – Likely
2008 Emad Parandian – Kamanche
2008 Ruede Hagelstein & Naneci – Semikolon
2008 Tiefschwarz – Simple Maybe Part 1
2009 Tiefschwarz – Simple Maybe Part 2
2009 Santé – White
2009 Adam Port – Boogie Bass
2009 Tiefschwarz feat. Seth Troxler – Trust Remixes
2009 Various - T.Triantafillou + C.J. Jeff & M.in + YNK
2010 Elle P. & Iftah – Sick Liar / Pink Painter
2010 Tfschwrz - The Whistler
2010 Tiefschwarz feat. Cassy - Find Me
2010 ONNO - Bombay Palace / Chants
2010 Ruede Hagelstein & Re.You - Souvenir Various Artists 03
2010 Ruede Hagelstein & Re.You - Emergency / This Way
2010 Tiefschwarz - Melted Chocolate 1
2010 Tiefschwarz – Melted Chocolate 2
2010 Santé – Ever Since
2011 Re.You & Rampa - Our Thing EP
2011 Maher Daniel & Lewis Boardman - Here And There / Tranquilizer
2011 Chris Wood & Meat - Triple S
2011 Tiefschwarz – Dominate My Sensations
2011 Avatism – Thought Patterns