Timo Maas
Encyclopedia
Timo Maas is an electronic music
DJ/producer
and remix
er.
playing "Top 40"-records with the occasional techno
record sneaked in, but it was to be another 6 years from his debut DJ performance before he would perform his first official all-techno set. In 1992 Maas was introduced to the early German rave
scene, and he went on to DJ at many different rave-events both in Germany and elsewhere, earning a name in the electronic
underground
scene.
Maas' first record, "The Final XS", was released in 1995. His second record release was a collaboration with another producer, Gary D, "Die Herdplatte", which was a bigger success than his first. Gary D also gained Maas a residency at Hamburg's famous club
, The Tunnel, between 1994 and 1996. Through British contacts Maas played at the Bristol
club Lakota. Maas also began to release records through record-labels such as Hope Recordings
, both under his own name and the alias Orinoko. Maas has also recorded under many aliases such as Mad Dogs and many others together with his manager and friend Leon Alexander. In 2000 Timo Maas began a residency alongside Deep Dish
at the New York
club Twilo
.
Maas first became popular in mainstream
dance music
through his remix of Azzido Da Bass
' Doom's Night, in the wake of which he released Music For The Maases Volume 1, a mix album consisting of many of his previous tracks and remixes. After another mix album called Connected for Paul Oakenfold
's imprint Perfecto
, Maas released his own debut artist album Loud in 2002. The album was produced by German dance music production powerhouse Martin Buttrich (also known for his work with Loco Dice
), and featured guest appearances from Kelis
and Finley Quaye
. A second Music For The Maases Volume 2, was released, again consisting of remixes and new tracks. In 2005 Maas released his second artist album Pictures, this time featuring guest artists Kelis
, Neneh Cherry
and Placebo
's Brian Molko
.
His "To Get Down" track has been widely used in movie soundtracks such as the 2003 remake of The Italian Job
, Riders in 2002, as well as other mediums such as the video game FIFA Football 2004
, and a Budweiser
beer commercial. Another of his tracks "Unite" appears in the Fifa 2004 soundtrack. A remix of the Neighbourhood screen music is credited to him on the video game The Sims 2: Nightlife
, whilst the video game Wipeout Fusion uses the song "Old School Vibes" from the album "Loud".
Maas has also provided remixes for artists such as Fatboy Slim
, Kelis
, and Madonna
. His music has been described as progressive trance, but in reality is more like progressive house.
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
DJ/producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
er.
Career
Maas bought his first set of turntables at the age of 17, and played his very first DJ set in 1982 at a party in his friend's home. The beginning of his career consisted mostly of gigs around GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
playing "Top 40"-records with the occasional techno
Techno
Techno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
record sneaked in, but it was to be another 6 years from his debut DJ performance before he would perform his first official all-techno set. In 1992 Maas was introduced to the early German rave
Rave
Rave, rave dance, and rave party are parties that originated mostly from acid house parties, which featured fast-paced electronic music and light shows. At these parties people dance and socialize to dance music played by disc jockeys and occasionally live performers...
scene, and he went on to DJ at many different rave-events both in Germany and elsewhere, earning a name in the electronic
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
underground
Underground music
Underground music comprises a range of different musical genres that operate outside of mainstream culture. Such music can typically share common values, such as the valuing of sincerity and intimacy; an emphasis on freedom of creative expression; an appreciation of artistic creativity...
scene.
Maas' first record, "The Final XS", was released in 1995. His second record release was a collaboration with another producer, Gary D, "Die Herdplatte", which was a bigger success than his first. Gary D also gained Maas a residency at Hamburg's famous club
Club
A club is an association of two or more people united by a common interest or goal. A service club, for example, exists for voluntary or charitable activities; there are clubs devoted to hobbies and sports, social activities clubs, political and religious clubs, and so forth.- History...
, The Tunnel, between 1994 and 1996. Through British contacts Maas played at the Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
club Lakota. Maas also began to release records through record-labels such as Hope Recordings
Hope Recordings
Hope Recordings, established in 1998 by Leon Alexander and Steve Satterthwaite, is a Bristol, UK based record label.The label is run by Leon Alexander, with English house music DJ and record producer Nick Warren in control of its A&R. It is home to progressive house and breaks artists such as...
, both under his own name and the alias Orinoko. Maas has also recorded under many aliases such as Mad Dogs and many others together with his manager and friend Leon Alexander. In 2000 Timo Maas began a residency alongside Deep Dish
Deep Dish
Deep Dish is a duo of DJs and house-music producers consisting of Iranian-American members Ali "Dubfire" Shirazinia and Sharam Tayebi. Based in Washington, D.C., Shirazinia and Tayebi are well known for providing house or dance remixes of tracks of famous stars such as Madonna, Cher and Gabrielle,...
at the New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
club Twilo
Twilo
Twilo was an American nightclub in operation from 1995 to 2001 in New York City and from 2006 to 2007 in Miami. The New York location at 530 West 27th Street in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan regularly attracted a crowd of thousands to its warehouse-like dance floor...
.
Maas first became popular in mainstream
Mainstream
Mainstream is, generally, the common current thought of the majority. However, the mainstream is far from cohesive; rather the concept is often considered a cultural construct....
dance music
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
through his remix of Azzido Da Bass
Azzido Da Bass
Azzido Da Bass is a German DJ and record producer based in Hamburg, Germany.-Early life:Over the years, Martens has been influenced by a wide range of music genres: as a youth, he first became interested in hip-hop and break dance; by the mid-1980s, he began collecting electronica and synth pop...
' Doom's Night, in the wake of which he released Music For The Maases Volume 1, a mix album consisting of many of his previous tracks and remixes. After another mix album called Connected for Paul Oakenfold
Paul Oakenfold
Paul Mark Oakenfold is a British record producer and a trance DJ.-Early Career: 1979–84:Paul Oakenfold's career was set to be a chef, after having hopes of becoming part of a band. He describes his early life as a "bedroom deejay" in a podcasted interview with Vancouver's 24 Hours, stating he grew...
's imprint Perfecto
Perfecto
-People:*Gregorio Perfecto , Filipino journalist, politician and jurist*Martín Perfecto de Cos , 19th-century Mexican general*Perfecto de Castro , multi-awarded Filipino musician*Saint Perfecto -People:*Gregorio Perfecto (1891–1949), Filipino journalist, politician and jurist*Martín Perfecto de Cos...
, Maas released his own debut artist album Loud in 2002. The album was produced by German dance music production powerhouse Martin Buttrich (also known for his work with Loco Dice
Loco Dice
Loco Dice is a German DJ and electronic music producer born and based in Düsseldorf. His family is from Tunisia, Loco Dice started his career as Hip-Hop DJ and rapper, playing support slots to performers like Usher, Ice Cube, Jamiroquai, Snoop Dog and R. Kelly. He has released records on labels...
), and featured guest appearances from Kelis
Kelis
Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
and Finley Quaye
Finley Quaye
Finley Quaye is a British musician. He won the 1997 Mobo Award for best reggae act, and the 1998 BRIT Award for Best British Male Solo Artist.-Life:...
. A second Music For The Maases Volume 2, was released, again consisting of remixes and new tracks. In 2005 Maas released his second artist album Pictures, this time featuring guest artists Kelis
Kelis
Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
, Neneh Cherry
Neneh Cherry
Neneh Mariann Cherry is a Swedish singer-songwriter, rapper, and occasional DJ and broadcaster...
and Placebo
Placebo (band)
Placebo are a British rock band from London, England, formed in 1994 by singer and guitarist Brian Molko and bass guitarist Stefan Olsdal. The band was joined by drummer Robert Schultzberg, who was later replaced by Steve Hewitt after conflicts with Molko. Hewitt left the band in October 2007 and...
's Brian Molko
Brian Molko
Brian Molko is a songwriter, lead vocalist, and guitarist of the band Placebo. He is known in particular for his high-pitched vocals, androgynous appearance, and unique, Sonic Youth-influenced guitar style and tuning.-Early life:Born to an American father of French-Italian heritage and a Scottish...
.
His "To Get Down" track has been widely used in movie soundtracks such as the 2003 remake of The Italian Job
The Italian Job (2003 film)
The Italian Job is a 2003 heist film directed by F. Gary Gray. The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Seth Green, Jason Statham, Mos Def, and Donald Sutherland. It is an American remake of a 1969 British film of the same name, and is about a team of thieves who plan to steal...
, Riders in 2002, as well as other mediums such as the video game FIFA Football 2004
FIFA Football 2004
FIFA Football 2004, also known as FIFA Soccer 2004 in North America, is a football video game developed by EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts. It was released in October 2003 with the tagline "Create Brilliance"....
, and a Budweiser
Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch)
Budweiser is a 5.0% abv American-style lager introduced in 1876 by Adolphus Busch and one of the highest selling beers in the United States. It is made with up to 30% rice in addition to hops and barley malt. Budweiser is produced in various breweries located around the world...
beer commercial. Another of his tracks "Unite" appears in the Fifa 2004 soundtrack. A remix of the Neighbourhood screen music is credited to him on the video game The Sims 2: Nightlife
The Sims 2: Nightlife
The Sims 2: Nightlife is the second expansion pack for The Sims 2, which was released on September 13, 2005 and September 16, 2005 . It was released for Mac OS X on March 27, 2006...
, whilst the video game Wipeout Fusion uses the song "Old School Vibes" from the album "Loud".
Maas has also provided remixes for artists such as Fatboy Slim
Fatboy Slim
Norman Quentin Cook better known by his former stage name Fatboy Slim, is a British DJ, electronic dance music musician, and record producer. He is a pioneer of the big beat genre that achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s...
, Kelis
Kelis
Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
, and Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
. His music has been described as progressive trance, but in reality is more like progressive house.
Albums
- Loud (2002) - UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#41 - PicturesPictures (Timo Maas album)Pictures is an album by Timo Maas released in 2005.-Track listing:#"Slip in Electro Kid" – 3:13#"Pictures " – 5:11#"First Day " – 3:52#"High Drama " – 7:21#"Enter My World" – 6:35...
(2005) - Return Of The Legend (2009)
Compilations
- DJ Mix Vol.2
- Music For The MaasesMusic For The Maases-Overview:Music For The Maases is an electronic compilation album mixed by German DJ Timo Maas in 2000. It was released on October 03, 2000.-Track listing:*Disc 1# Azzido Da Bass - Doom's Night...
(2000) - Connected - Perfecto Presents… Timo Maas (2001)
- Music For The Maases 2 (2003)
- Born to Funk (2005)
- Balance 17 (2010)
Singles
- "The Final XS (1995)
- "Die Herdplatte" (1995)
- M.A.A.S.M.E.L.L.O.W. (1998)
- "Twin Town" (1999)
- "Ubik" (2000) - Timo Maas/Martin Bettinghaus, UK #33
- "Der Scheiber" (2000) - UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#50 - "Connected" (2001)
- "Killin' Me" (2001)
- "To Get DownTo Get Down"To Get Down" is a dance-pop song performed by Timo Maas from his album Loud. The lead singer on this track was Phil Barnes.The song has been featured in the 2003 film The Italian Job and the 2002 video game FIFA Football 2003; the latter being remixed by Fatboy Slim.-UK CD:# "To Get Down" - 3:32#...
" (2000) - UK #14 - "ShifterShifterShifter may mean:* Shifter , or gear lever, a bicycle part that selects which gear the chain rests on* Shifter , an adjustable wrench/spanner...
" feat. MC ChickabooMC ChickabooMC Chickaboo is a female drum and bass DJ/rapper/mixer from London, England. In 2002 her profile got larger when her collaboration on Timo Maas' "Shifter" went to number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.- References :...
(2002) - UK #38 - "Help Me" (2002) - featuring Kelis, UK #65
- "Unite" (2003)
- "First Day" (2005) - UK #51
- "Pictures" (2005)
Select remixes
- Azzido Da BassAzzido Da BassAzzido Da Bass is a German DJ and record producer based in Hamburg, Germany.-Early life:Over the years, Martens has been influenced by a wide range of music genres: as a youth, he first became interested in hip-hop and break dance; by the mid-1980s, he began collecting electronica and synth pop...
- "Doom's Night" - Depeche ModeDepeche ModeDepeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
- "Enjoy The Silence 04Enjoy the Silence"Enjoy the Silence" is Depeche Mode's twenty-fourth UK single, released on 16 January 1990, and the second single from the then upcoming album Violator....
", "Personal JesusPersonal Jesus"Personal Jesus" is Depeche Mode's 23rd UK single, released on August 29, 1989, and the first single from the album Violator. The single reached No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100...
" - Fatboy SlimFatboy SlimNorman Quentin Cook better known by his former stage name Fatboy Slim, is a British DJ, electronic dance music musician, and record producer. He is a pioneer of the big beat genre that achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s...
- "Star 69" - GarbageGarbage (band)Garbage are an alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994. The group consists of Scottish singer Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson , Steve Marker and Butch Vig . All four members are involved in songwriting and production...
- "Breaking Up The GirlBreaking up the Girl"Breaking Up the Girl" is a 2001 alternative rock song written, recorded and produced by Garbage for their third studio album Beautiful Garbage....
" - JamiroquaiJamiroquaiJamiroquai is a British jazz funk and acid jazz band formed in 1992. Jamiroquai were initially the most prominent component in the early-1990s London-based acid jazz movement, alongside groups such as Incognito, the James Taylor Quartet, and the Brand New Heavies. Other Acid Jazz artists such as...
- "Feels Just Like It Should" - KelisKelisKelis Rogers Kelis Rogers Kelis Rogers (born August 21, 1971 is an American musical artist. She is a BRIT Award, Q Award and NME Award winner and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards. She has had nine top 10 singles on the UK Singles Chart...
- "Young, Fresh N' NewYoung, Fresh n' New"Young, Fresh n' New" is a song by American recording artist Kelis from her second studio album, Wanderland. Written by Kelis and The Neptunes members Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo—who also produced the track—, it was released as the album's only single in 2001, becoming a minor hit in the United...
" - MadonnaMadonna (entertainer)Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
- "Don't Tell MeDon't Tell Me (Madonna song)"Don't Tell Me" is a song by American singer-songwriter Madonna. It was released as the second single from her eighth studio album Music on November 21, 2000 by Maverick Records. The single has sold around 4.5 million copies to date.-History:...
" - MuseMuse (band)Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of school friends Matthew Bellamy , Christopher Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard...
- "Sunburn" - Novy & Eniac - "Pumpin'"
- MolokoMolokoMoloko were an Anglo-Irish electronic/pop duo consisting of Róisín Murphy from Wicklow, Ireland and Mark Brydon, from Sunderland, England.- Origin of band name :...
- "Familiar Feeling" - PlaceboPlacebo (band)Placebo are a British rock band from London, England, formed in 1994 by singer and guitarist Brian Molko and bass guitarist Stefan Olsdal. The band was joined by drummer Robert Schultzberg, who was later replaced by Steve Hewitt after conflicts with Molko. Hewitt left the band in October 2007 and...
- "Special KSpecial K (song)"Special K" is an EP by alternative rock band Placebo, taken from their third album, Black Market Music. The song has many drug references: the "special K" in the title refers to the drug ketamine.-Track listing:#"Special K" - 3:51...
" - Tori AmosTori AmosTori Amos is an American pianist, singer-songwriter and composer. She was at the forefront of a number of female singer-songwriters in the early 1990s and was noteworthy early in her career as one of the few alternative rock performers to use a piano as her primary instrument...
- "Don't Make Me Come to VegasDon't Make Me Come to Vegas"Don't Make Me Come to Vegas" is a song by singer-songwriter Tori Amos that originally appeared on her album Scarlet's Walk . Following the success of previous remix singles "Professional Widow" , "In the Springtime of his Voodoo" and "Jackie's Strength" , the song was remixed in the same vein and...
"
Selected mixes
- XFade Master Mix Vol. 4: Hope Recordings (1999)
- Perfecto Presents ... Timo Maas: Connected (2001)
- Don't Look Back (2005)
- The Return of the Legend (2009)
See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart