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But back to the beginning. As if prompted by the “millennium bug”, Tom Clark decides to start his own record label. The commercialization of Techno, with the mass marketing of the Love Parade and major label exploitation had reached a depressing new low. Tom describes these as the darkest days for House and Techno music. At the same time, many artists were searching for a new and better platform to release their music in Berlin. Tom Clark’s “livingroom” label had always been more about passion than being a well structured and carefully organized business operation, and in many ways this served the label perfectly. Today, Tom sees part of the purpose of Highgrade to act as a driving force behind the reinvention of the Berlin Techno scene.

Tom Clark signed the first wave of Highgrade artists, Sebo K, James Flavour und Guido Schneider from the ranks of his friends and fellow DJs in the ever expanding Berlin club scene. Todd Bodine, Jens Bond, Dub Taylor and Daniel Dreier formed the second generation of artists to join the Highgrade family.

There have always been important to discover new artist, like Format:B and Heinrichs & Hirtenfellner. The first goal: The sound must first survive the bar, club and dancefloor test. The spectrum ranges from deep House and minimal till techno. “The music we publish has to touch us in some way.”, says A & R man Todd Bodine. With Todd and label manager Mariana Luzardo, Tom Clark has found the perfect partners with which to push the label forward. Highgrade has also moved out of the living room and into a slick new office in Berlin’s Friedrichshain. Needless to say the family atmosphere still remains.

The voluminous output from the label is testament to the highly talented group of artists in the Highgrade stable. Every month the label puts out one vinyl and one digital release, and every year Highgrade takes on at least two new artists. The best form of defence is attack. In times where other labels are reducing output and going digital only, Highgrade continues to release electronic dance music of the highest quality and dancefloor efficiency. This produces a wide range of releases that are not about genre definitions, but are chosen for their musical impact and individuality. In Germany and worldwide, label parties and club nights define the label sound and push the artists creative skills behind the turntables and in front of the crowd. Thus the label always stays fresh and surprising and acts as a major contributor to the sound of the city.

Especially in the ongoing development of the digital market, the label relies on its independent character. We focus on a commitment which offers Highgrade artists a complete package. “We want to show that classical label representation and artist management are still required”, says Mariana. The in-house booking agency works in close collaboration with the artists, providing both gig support and guidance in their artistic development.

www.highgrade-records.de

EP Of The Week: 11 Aprile 2009

Artist: Markus Homm

Title: Channel By Channel

Label: Highgrade

Release: Marzo 2009

Web: www.highgrade-records.de

Tre belle tracce di house groovy e deep direttamente dalle mani e dalla mente di Markus Homm, artista di origini rumene dal carattere cosmopolita visto che vive in Germania dal 2001 e si muove senza confini tra Hong Kong, Mosca, Londra e Norimberga.

Arrangiamenti deep in stile classico con un’impronta originale e del tutto irresistibile, sono questi i punti forza della musica di Markus Homm.

(18 Marzo 2009)

Artist: Markus Schatz & Brett Longman

Title: Dope On Plastic

Label: Highgrade

Release: Febbraio 2009

Web: www.highggrade-records.de

Con Dope On Plastic Markus Schatz e Brett Longman ci trasportano in territori dub e molto rarefatti.

Strutture ritmiche sostanziali, melodie morbide e sinuose, miste a pattern house-tech dalle molte sfaccettature.

Indubbiamente un lavoro di qualita’ distribuito in quattro tracce e destinato ad orecchie raffinate.

(1 Febbraio 2009)

Vinyl Review

Artist: Format:B

Title: Steam Circuit

Label: Highgrade

Release: Settembre 2008

web: www.highgrade-records.de

Primo album ufficiale dei Format:B che si distingue sin dal primo ascolto come un disco carico di energia e potenza sonora.

Sette tracce nella versione vinilica, che parte con la scoppiettante Edding 850, prosegue con l’acidognola Boot Cut e prende il volo con Boeing 030.

Nel tragitto ascoltiamo anche 55 Cadillac King, Something Suitable, prodotta assieme a Jake The Rapper, Si Pero No e Widow Maker che chiude il disco in bellezza.

Ottimo lavoro.

(3 Settembre 2008)