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{{Infobox musical artist |
{{Infobox musical artist |
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| name = |
| name = Matthias Hoffmann |
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| honorific_suffix = |
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| image = |
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| birth_name = |
| birth_name = Matthias Matthew Hoffmann<ref name="Matthias Discogs">{{cite web |title=Matthias Hoffmann Discography |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/209095-Matthias-Hoffmann |website=Discogs |access-date=December 12, 2023}}</ref> |
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| alias = |
| alias = A.C. Boutsen, Brainchild, Cygnus X<ref name="Matthias Discogs" /> |
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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1964|06|10}} |
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| birth_date = March 14 (year unknown, likely 1964-1965)<ref name="Herb FB">{{cite web |title=Herb Jackson Jr |url=https://www.facebook.com/herbjacksonjr/ |website=Facebook |access-date=December 11, 2023}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Matthias Phone Interview">{{cite interview |last=Hoffmann |first=Matthias |date=November 15, 2023 |title=Matthias Hoffmann Interview by Williams Goldsmith |type=personal }}</ref> |
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| birth_place = |
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| origin = Dixmoor, Illinois<ref name="Herb FB" /> |
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| birth_place = Frankfurt, Germany<ref name="Matthias Phone Interview"/> |
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| death_date = |
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| |
| genre = Trance, techno, pop, rock |
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| |
| years_active = 1980s-present |
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| label = Eye Q Records, Harthouse, Recycle or Die, Logic Records, Wirtzmusik |
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| discography = |
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| years_active = 1985-2000<ref name="Herb Discogs" /><ref name="Fader">{{cite web |last1=Saxelby |first1=Ruth |title=Back to the Phuture: DJ Pierre on Inventing Acid and Why EDM Fans Need to Learn Their History |url=https://www.thefader.com/2014/08/04/back-to-the-phuture-dj-pierre-on-inventing-acid-and-why-edm-fans-need-to-learn-their-history |website=The FADER |access-date=December 11, 2023}}</ref> |
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| label = Trax Records, Djax-Up-Beats, Dance Mania, Red Cat Records<ref name="Herb Discogs" /> |
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| past_member_of = Phuture, Group X, III Phase, Phaze 23, Phase 23<ref name="Herb Discogs" /> |
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| instrument = |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Herbert Jackson''' is an American musician best known as one of the founding members of pioneering Chicago [[Acid house|acid house]] group [[Phuture]], and for co-writing their 1987 breakout track, "[[Acid Tracks]]."<ref name="Herb Discogs" /> |
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==Biography== |
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Jackson is originally from Dixmoor, Illinois. He went to Thornton Township High School and Crete Monee High School, graduating from the latter school in 1983. In 1984, Jackson began studying liberal arts and sciences at Prairie State College, earning an Associate in Arts Degree in 1987. He later studied Media Arts & Communication at Governors State University, graduating in 1991. |
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'''Matthias Hoffmann''' is a German producer and composer. He most notably co-founded the [[Eye Q (record label)|Eye Q]] record label, one of the first [[Trance music|trance]] labels, in 1990, alongside [[Sven Väth]] and Heinz Roth.<ref name="musikxpress 1">{{cite web |
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Since at least 2009, Jackson has worked as a professional videographer, founding Customize Concepts LTD in 2009 and Interspace Media in 2015.<ref name="Herb FB" /> |
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|last= van Loon |
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==Phuture== |
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|first= Twan |
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===Early days and formation=== |
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|date= 2020-09-26 |
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In the early 1980s, Jackson would frequent Chicago house music club the Music Box alongside Phuture co-founders, [[Earl Smith Jr.|Earl “Spanky” Smith Jr.]] and [[DJ Pierre|Nathaniel Pierre “DJ Pierre” Jones]], to listen to DJ [[Ron Hardy]] play. The trio first discovered their love for house music at the Music Box.<ref name="Phuture Discogs">{{cite web |title=Phuture Discography |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/1705-Phuture |website=Discogs |access-date=December 11, 2023}}</ref> |
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|title= The story behind "Cygnus X - Superstring" by Matthias Hoffmann |
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|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qoc4tjDX5GM |
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|publisher= YouTube |
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|work= musikxpress |
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|access-date= 2023-12-12 |
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}}</ref> |
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Hoffmann is currently based in Offenbach, Germany.<ref name="Matthias Phone Interview" /> |
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Hoffmann was an influential early producer in trance music, contributing to musical projects including [[Cygnus X (music group)|Cygnus X]], Brainchild, Odyssee Of Noises, Metal Master, and more.<ref name="Matthias Discogs" /><ref name="musikxpress 1" /> Cygnus X, one of Hoffmann’s most influential trance projects, is primarily known for tracks “Superstring,” “The Orange Theme,” “Positron,” “Turn Around,” and “Kinderlied.”<ref name="musikxpress 2">{{cite web |
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|last= van Loon |
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|first= Twan |
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|date= 2020-11-07 |
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|title=The story behind "Cygnus X - The Orange Theme" by Matthias Hoffmann |
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|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXrH4DeFUnA |
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|publisher= YouTube |
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|work= musikxpress |
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|access-date= 2023-12-12 |
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}}</ref> |
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==Early life== |
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Hoffmann was born Matthias Matthew Hoffmann on June 10, 1964 in Frankfurt, Germany.<ref name="Matthias Phone Interview" /> |
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Hoffmann’s interest in music began when he started playing guitar at around the age of six. His mother had told him to start playing an instrument, and Hoffmann opted for the guitar rather than piano, which his sister was learning at the time. Hoffmann’s earliest musical inputs included classical music that his parents would play at home and organ music from church, the latter of which he cites as one of the first musical sounds that “amazed” him. Growing up, he also enjoyed rock bands such as Pink Floyd, Gentle Giant, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. <ref name="musikxpress 1" /> |
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When Hoffmann was 16 years old, he began playing the guitar in rock and funk bands, and he began writing songs and lyrics for those bands, as well.<ref name="musikxpress 1" /> Hoffmann finished school in 1983.<ref name="musikxpress 2" /> |
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=Music career= |
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===Early touring and session work=== |
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After finishing school, Hoffmann toured throughout 1984-1987, mostly via short-term “weekend tours” from Thursday through Sunday. The primary group he played with during this period was Midnight Fun, which rose out of Hoffmann's earlier band, Big Mama & The Syndicates. Hoffmann's future collaborator [[Ralf Hildenbeutel]] was the keyboardist for both of these bands, and these bands were how Hoffmann and Hildenbeutel first met.<ref name="Matthias Phone Interview" /> |
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Hoffmann also began working as a session guitarist around this time, playing on songs including [[Ooops Up|“Ooops Up”]] by [[Snap!|SNAP!]]<ref name="musikxpress 1" />, and for musicians such as [[Sheila E.]] and [[Quincy Jones]]<ref name="Matthias Discogs" />. Hoffmann also around this time worked as an arranger for German producer [[Gunther Mende]], known for his work with [[Jennifer Rush]].<ref name="musikxpress 1" /> |
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===Early production work and founding Eye Q Records=== |
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Hoffmann first met future Eye Q co-founder Sven Väth because Väth was seeking guitar lessons. After their introduction, the two began making music together under the name Mosaic and released their music through Logic Records. Mosaic primarily operated in the Logic Haus studios, where Hoffmann said “all the techno stuff in Frankfurt happened."<ref name="Matthias Phone Interview" /> Hoffmann considers his first “real” release as a producer to be the 1989 second album by Väth’s group, Off, called ''Ask Yourself''.<ref name="musikxpress 1" /> |
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Heinz Roth, who was working at BMG Publishing at the time, met Hoffmann and Väth through Logic Haus. Roth first proposed the idea to found Eye Q Records. After receiving funding and approval from [[Warner Records]] in Hamburg, Hoffmann, Roth, and Väth rented the third floor of the Logic Haus building to use as the studios for the newly established Eye Q label.<ref name="Matthias Phone Interview" /> This operation was upstairs of Michael Munzing and Luca Anzilotti, of SNAP!.<ref name="musikxpress 1" /> |
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As a part of Eye Q, Hoffmann worked on lots of music behind the scenes, often in collaboration with Ralf Hildenbeutel. Eye Q had two notable sub-labels: [[Harthouse]] and Recycle or Die. According to Hoffmann, these labels were created out of a desire to branch out creatively from the commercially-focused Eye Q. Hoffmann described Harthouse as “underground,” free from the “make-a-hit” influence of Warner, and “purely club oriented,” and described Recycle or Die as more “chillout,” “ambient,” “intellectual,” and “arsty.”<ref name="Matthias Phone Interview" /> |
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===Cygnus X=== |
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Before starting trance project Cygnus X, Hoffmann was working a "desk job" in A&R for Eye Q, per Roth's request. Hoffmann disliked this job, so he went back to the studio and started Cygnus X, claiming he’d be more valuable to Eye Q there.<ref name="musikxpress 2" /> |
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The very first Cygnus X release was 1993’s “Superstring,” a collaboration between Hoffmann and Hildenbeutel. The song was made largely in response to deadlines imposed by Warner.<ref name="musikxpress 1" /> Although “Superstring” was in collaboration with Hildenbeutel, Cygnus X went on to primarily be Hoffmann’s own project.<ref name="musikxpress 2" /> |
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“Superstring” ended up being one of Cygnus X’s most popular and influential songs, but Hoffmann believes it was “not at all” important to his career, because he was not aiming to be a DJ.<ref name="musikxpress 1" /> |
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During this period, Hoffmann would try out new Cygnus X tracks at Frankfurt club the Omen, because he believed he could judge which tracks would succeed and which would not, based on the crowd’s reaction.<ref name="musikxpress 1" /> |
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Cygnus X released another one of their most successful tracks, “The Orange Theme,” in November 1994, under Eye Q Records. The music borrowed from [[Henry Purcell|Henry Purcell's]] classical composition, "[[Funeral Sentences and Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary|Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary]],” which Hoffmann first heard in the main theme of [[Stanley Kubrick|Stanley Kubrick’s]] ''[[A Clockwork Orange (film)|A Clockwork Orange]]''. The song title, “The Orange Theme,” references the film. Hoffmann was not aware of his song's connection to Purcell until he read about it in an article about “The Orange Theme,” years after its release.<ref name="musikxpress 2" /> |
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Hoffmann claims to have made “The Orange Theme” in just 3 hours, a speed typical for his process of making trance tracks at that time.<ref name="musikxpress 2" /><ref name="musikxpress 1" /> |
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To create Cygnus X tracks such as “Superstring” and “The Orange Theme,” Hoffmann used gear from companies Juno, Roland, and Atari, as well as Oberheim keyboards and an Akai S1000 digital sampler.<ref name="musikxpress 2" /> |
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Hoffmann stated in 2020 that Cygnus X’s 1995 album, ''Hypermetrical'', mixed by Hildenbeutel, was his favorite work of his entire electronic music career.<ref name="musikxpress 2" /> |
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===Post-Eye Q: Schallbau to present=== |
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In 1997, Eye Q met its end, partially due to differences in its founders' goals. Väth wanted to pursue his DJ career more seriously, Roth wanted to move to London to continue working in the music business, and Hoffmann wanted to remain at home in Germany.<ref name="musikxpress 1" /> |
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Soon after the end of Eye Q, Hoffmann founded production company Schallbau with Ralf Hildenbeutel and Steffen Britzke, also known as Stevie B-Zet.<ref name="musikxpress 1" /> At this point, Hoffmann had grown tired of trance music, considering it “boring.” Therefore, Schallbau went in a new stylistic direction, producing pop music with mostly German lyrics.<ref name="Matthias Phone Interview" /> |
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According to DJ Pierre, Jackson first informed Pierre of the Music Box via letter. Jackson wrote Pierre while Pierre was in California, telling him to return to Chicago to listen to DJ Ron Hardy play, describing Hardy as “different.”<ref name="Ransom Note">{{cite web |title=An Acid History: Dj Pierre & Spanky Talk |url=https://www.theransomnote.com/music/interviews/an-acid-history-dj-pierre-spanky-talk/ |website=Ransom Note |access-date=December 11, 2023}}</ref> |
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While Hoffmann considered his time with Schallbau a great success, he grew tired of it and Schallbau ended in 2008.<ref name="Matthias Phone Interview" /> |
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In 1985, Jackson, Spanky, and DJ Pierre formed their own group, Phuture, inspired by the sounds they heard at the Music Box.<ref name="Phuture Discogs" /> |
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===Role in the group=== |
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Jackson's most notable contribution to Phuture was his role as a co-writer on the group's influential breakout track, “Acid Tracks” (1987)<ref name="Herb Discogs" />, which is credited with inventing the house sub-genre of acid house.<ref name="Phuture AllMusic" /> Jackson is also credited as a co-writer on “Phuture Jacks,” the second track on the 1987 “Acid Tracks” 12” single.<ref name="Herb Discogs" /> |
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In 2008, Hoffmann began producing and writing for German rock group Wirtz<ref name="musikxpress 1" />, on his own label, Wirtzmusik.<ref name="Matthias Phone Interview" /> Hoffmann aimed to see how far the group could get without promotion and just based on the strength of their lyrics and music alone.<ref name="Matthias Phone Interview" /> |
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There are varying accounts of Jackson's role in the creation of "Acid Tracks." Spanky, in one interview, claimed to have been working on the song's beat on the Roland TB-303 bass synthesizer while Pierre “twist[ed] the knobs" of the synthesizer, without mention of any contributions by Jackson<ref name="Phuture Past">{{Cite magazine |
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| date = March 1, 1998 |
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| title = Phuture Past |
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| magazine = Muzik |
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| pages = 20 |
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}}</ref>. In another interview, Spanky claimed that he programmed the drums for “Acid Tracks” and DJ Pierre manipulated the knobs of the bass synthesizer, while Herb was responsible for sound effects in the song, including the wind sound noticeable at the beginning of the track.<ref name="Spanky Obituary">{{cite web |last1=Arnold |first1=Jacob |title=Obituary: Earl Smith |url=https://ra.co/features/2833 |website=RA |access-date=December 11, 2023}}</ref> Another source alleges that while Spanky and Pierre contributed the iconic “acid bass” sound to “Acid Tracks,” Jackson contributed the track’s drums by programming a Roland TR-707 drum machine.<ref name="Hip Hop Electronic">{{cite web |last1=Chenna |first1=Fabrice |title=Acid Tracks |url=https://www.hiphopelectronic.com/no-daw-its-old-school-bangers/house-music-songs-phuture-acid-tracks |website=Hip Hop Electronic |access-date=December 11, 2023}}</ref> Another source describes Jackson’s general role in the group as “on keyboards,” while listing Spanky as the “technical producer.”<ref name="Georgia Entertainment">{{cite web |last1=Harper |first1=Mollee |title=Part 1: Introducing Afro Acid Pioneer DJ Pierre: Phuture, the Studio and Acid House Music |url=https://www.georgiaentertainment.com/2017/02/part-1-introducing-afro-acid-pioneer-dj-pierre-phuture-the-studio-and-acid-house-music/ |website=Georgia Entertainment |access-date=December 11, 2023}}</ref> |
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Around 2020, partially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hoffmann moved on from working with Wirtz. As of November 2023, he is not working on any significant musical projects.<ref name="Matthias Phone Interview" /> |
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In 2019, DJ Pierre claimed that he and Spanky were “the heart of Phuture” but that Jackson “was supportive to the group as well.”<ref name="Iconic Underground Magazine">{{cite web |title=PHUTURE – ACID HOUSE CREATORS |url=https://iumag.co.uk/phuture-creators-of-acid-house/ |website=Iconic Underground Magazine |access-date=December 11, 2023}}</ref> |
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== |
==Personal life== |
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Hoffmann prefers not to be in the spotlight, which accounts for why he has done so few interviews throughout his career. <ref name="musikxpress 1" /> |
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According to Spanky, Jackson left Phuture in 1990 due to getting married and “decid[ing] he wanted to do other things.” After Jackson’s departure, Spanky and DJ Pierre joined up with Roy Davis Jr. to replace Jackson.<ref name="Phuture Past" /> Other sources claim Jackson left the group in 1988, after Phuture released their follow-up single to “Acid Tracks,” called "We Are Phuture.”<ref name="Phuture AllMusic">{{cite web |title=Phuture |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/phuture-mn0000336086 |website=AllMusic |access-date=December 11, 2023}}</ref> |
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==Discography== |
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==Other musical projects== |
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<small>Note: Hoffmann has had roles in countless musical projects under multiple names and has had his work remixed many times. This discography contains his credits under the name “Matthias Hoffman,” as well as with his significant projects Cygnus X and Schallbau. For the sake of clarity, non-significant remixes of Hoffmann’s work are not included here.</small> |
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Jackson was involved in two other musical projects with Phuture co-founder Spanky. The first project was Group X, alongside Spanky and L.A. Williams. Group X released music from 1995-1997. The second project was III Phase, also known as Phase 23 or Phaze 23, which most prominently contained Jackson and Spanky. III Phase released music as early as 1989 and as late as 1994, with Jackson, under the name “Herb J.,” listed as a producer and arranger on the tracks.<ref name="Herb Discogs" /> |
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==Lack of representation in the media== |
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There is not much accessible information about Jackson in comparison to the other two founding Phuture members, DJ Pierre and Spanky, who have both done many interviews. In many interviews about Phuture’s early days and the invention of acid house, DJ Pierre doesn’t mention Jackson’s name at all, and instead only mentions his and Spanky’s roles in the group. |
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===As "Matthias Hoffmann"<ref name="Matthias Discogs" />=== |
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DJ Pierre, in 2022, posted on his Facebook account, publicly apologizing to Jackson for not mentioning him in many Phuture-related interviews. Pierre vowed to mention Jackson in interviews from that point on. In the same post, Pierre claimed that he failed to mention Jackson in many interviews primarily because Pierre spent much more time with Spanky, both during and outside of working on music.<ref name="Pierre FB Apology">{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Nathaniel Pierre |title=DJ Pierre |url=https://www.facebook.com/100044152343436/posts/584315759716830/ |website=Facebook |access-date=December 11, 2023}}</ref> |
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* Rammstein – "Dicke Titten" (Universal Music Group, 2022) |
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==Legacy== |
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* Gregor Meyle – "Medley Erste Staffel" (Embassy Of Music, Meylemusic, 2017) |
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As a founding member of Phuture and a contributor to the song “Acid Tracks,” Jackson is a co-creator of the acid house subgenre. Acid house found popularity in the United Kingdom and was some of the first music to be played in European rave parties. |
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* Wirtz – "Ich Bleibe Hier" (Wirtzmusik, 2017) |
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==Discography<ref name="Herb Discogs" />== |
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* Max Mutzke – "Everybody Hurts" (Polydor, 2017) |
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<small>(Jackson's role listed at the end of each entry.)</small> |
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* Wirtz – ''Auf Die Plätze Fertig Los!'' (Wirtzmusik, 2016) |
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* Spanky – "Da Track 23 Project (Part 1 & 2)" (Creators Of Deepness, 2000); Recording Engineer |
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* Christina Stürmer – ''Seite An Seite'' (Polydor, 2016) |
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* Group X – "Tranze X" (Djax-Up-Beats, 1997); Writer, Producer |
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* |
* Wirtz – "Sehnsucht" (Sony Music, 2016) |
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* Giorgio Adamo – "Revolver (Matthias Hoffmann Remix)" (Catamount Records, 2016) |
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* Group X – "Something Different" (Djax-Up-Beats, 1995); Producer |
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* Marco P – "Incredible (Matthias Hoffmann Remix)" (Tech Factory Recordings, 2015) |
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* L.A. Williams – "Pulled Hamstring (Phase 23)" (Relief Records, 1995); Writer |
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* Hartmut Engler – "Overkill" (XN-Tertainment, Talpa Germany, 2015) |
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* Spank Spank Presents The U.P. Connection – "Here Comes Da Pain (Herb’s Nasty Mix)" (Emotive Tracks, 1995); Producer, Remixer |
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* Scooter – ''Age Of Love'' (Club Tools, 2013) |
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* Spanky Presents Phaze 23 – "United States Of Acid" (Red Cat Records, 1994); Writer, Producer |
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* |
* Adoro – "Dein Lied" (We Love Music, Polydor, Universal Music Group, Adoro Musik, 2011) |
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* Thomas Godoj – "Winterkinder" (Columbia, Sony Music, 2009) |
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* Phuture Presents III Phase – "Do You Wanna Get Funky" (Dance Mania, 1989); Producer |
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* |
* Deadmau5 – "Clockwork" (Songbird, 2008) |
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* |
* ATB – ''Trilogy'' (Kontor Records, 2007) |
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* |
* Atomic Pulse – "Fire Dance (Atomic Pulse Remix)" (Yellow Sunshine Explosion, 2006) |
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* Scooter – ''Push The Beat For This Jam (The Second Chapter)'' (Sheffield Tunes, 2002) |
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* Phuture – "Slam" (Trax Records, 1988); Writer |
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* Ayla – ''Nirwana'' (Unsubmissive Records, 2000) |
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* |
* Laith Al-Deen – "Bilder Von Dir (Radio Edit)" (Epic, 2000) |
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* |
* Resident Aliens – "Symmetry 2000 (Club Mix)" (DMD, 1999) |
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* Scooter – ''Back To The Heavyweight Jam'' (Club Tools, Edel, Loop Dance Constructions, 1999) |
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* Phuture – "Your Only Friend" (Trax Records, 1987); Writer |
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* Kee Mo – "Madness" (Bionic Beat Recordings, 1999) |
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* Vega – "Seh' Die Vögel Ziehen" (Epic, 1999) |
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* Kee Mo – "Spectrum" (Fuel Records, 1998) |
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* Scooter – "No Fate" (Club Tools, Loop Dance Constructions, 1997) |
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* Vernon – "Wonderer (Instrumental Mix)" (Eye Q Records, 1996) |
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* Brainchild – "Synfonica" (Javelin, 1996) |
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* Die Puppets – "Drei In Einem Boot" (Bella Musica, 1995) |
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* Wagnerama Feat. Mike Kilian – "Stand Up For Your Children" (MCA Records, 1994) |
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* Mosaic – "Mosaic V (Headbanging Mix)" (K-Tel, 1993) |
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* Metal Master – "Vol. 1" (Harthouse, 1992) |
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* Off – ''Ask Yourself'' (Ariola, 1990) |
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* Various – ''Supermax'' (Max Music, 1990) |
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* The Fate, Big Savod & The Deep Manko, Kampanella Is Dead, B. Crown – ''All Tomorrow's Parties'' (Zong, 1990) |
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* Various – ''Celebrating The Eggman: A Tribute To John Lennon'' (Zong, 1990) |
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* Alexis – ''Alexis'' (CBS, 1990) |
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* Off – "Hip Hop Reggae" (Ariola, 1989) |
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* Off – ''Off'' (Ariola, 1989) |
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* New Soul – "To Be With You" (Logic Records, 1989) |
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* Off – "Everybody Shake" (ZYX Records, 1988) |
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* |
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===Cygnus X<ref name="Cygnus X Discogs">{{cite web |title=Cygnus X Discography |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/4228-Cygnus-X |website=Discogs |access-date=December 12, 2023}}</ref>=== |
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<small>(All releases under Eye Q Records.)</small> |
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* ''Hypermetrical'' (1995) (Album): |
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** "Kinderlied (part 1)" |
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** "Kinderlied (part 2)" |
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** "Hypermetrical" |
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** "Deliberation" |
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** "Turn Around" |
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** "Synchronism" |
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** "The Orange Theme" |
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** "Indakasa" |
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* "Hypermetrical" (1995) |
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* "Synchronism" (1995) |
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* "Turn Around" (1995) |
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* "Kinderlied" (1995) |
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* "The Orange Theme" (1994) |
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* "Positron" (1993) |
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* "Superstring" (1993) |
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===Schallbau<ref name="Schallbau Discogs">{{cite web |title=Schallbau Discography |url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/61305-Schallbau |website=Discogs |access-date=December 12, 2023}}</ref>=== |
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* Steve Eagle – "Sketches In Spring (Schallbau Mix)" (Self-released, 2009) |
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* Da Pump – "Wish You Would" (Avex Tune, 2006) |
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* Sandra – "Maria Magdalena" (Virgin Music, EMI, 2006) |
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* Yvonne Catterfeld – "Leben Lassen" (Hansa, 2005) |
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* Simon Collins – "Mirror" (Lightyears, 2005) |
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* Yvonne Catterfeld – ''Farben Meiner Welt'' (Hansa, BMG Berlin Musik, 2004) |
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* Laith Al-Deen – "Höher" (Columbia, 2004) |
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* Laith Al-Deen – ''Für Alle'' (Columbia, Musicline.de, 2004) |
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* Laith Al-Deen featuring Zoe – "Meilenweit" (Columbia, 2004) |
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* Laith Al-Deen – "Alles An Dir" (Columbia, 2003) |
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* Yvonne Catterfeld – "Niemand Sonst" (RCA, BMG Berlin Musik, 2003) |
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* Laith Al-Deen – "Traurig" (Columbia, 2003) |
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* Yvonne Catterfeld – "Wahre Helden" (RCA, BMG Berlin Musik, 2003) |
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* Tom Albrecht – "360°" (Polydor, Universal, 2003) |
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* Laith Al-Deen – "Dein Lied" (Epic, 2002) |
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* Laith Al-Deen – "Jetzt, Hier, Immer" (Columbia, 2002) |
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* Catterfeld – "Niemand Sonst" (Hansa, 2002) |
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* Laith Al-Deen – ''Melomanie'' (Columbia, 2002) |
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* Schallbau – "People Are Making History" (Flying Rhino Freestyle, 2001) |
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* Lath al-Deen – "Es tut mir leid" (In Motion Records, 2001) |
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* Laith al-Deen – ''Ich Will Nur Wissen ...'' (Epic, 2001) |
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* Simon Collins – ''All Of Who You Are'' (WEA, 2000) |
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* Simon Collins – "Money Maker" (WEA, 2000) |
|||
* Laith Al-Deen – "Bilder Von Dir" (Epic, 2000) |
|||
* Simon Collins – "Shine Through" (WEA, 2000) |
|||
* Laith Al-Deen – "Kleine Helden" (Epic, 2000) |
|||
* Cosmic Baby – "Sketches In Spring (Schallbau Remix)" (Intercord, 1999) |
|||
* Simon Collins – "Pride" (WEA, 1999) |
|||
* OOMPH! – "Das Weisse Licht (Fütter Mich-Remix)" (Virgin, 1999) |
|||
* Bandaloop – "Extraordinary (Schallbau-Mix)" (Columbia, 1999) |
|||
* Daff-o-dil – "Insanity (Schallbau's Jumper Mix)" (Virgin, 1999) |
|||
* Vega – ''Vega'' (Epic, 1999) |
|||
* Schallbau – ''Schallbau's Point Zero Vol. 1'' (Logic Records, 1998) |
|||
* Rooster vs. Silver vs. Lamont Humphrey – "I Like The Sun (Schallbau Mix)" (Logic Records, 1998) |
|||
* Trickbaby – "Indie-Yarn" (Logic Records, BMG, 1998) |
|||
* Strawpeople – "Taller Than God" (Columbia, 1997) |
|||
* |
|||
* |
* |
||
==References== |
==References== |
||
Revision as of 01:08, 13 December 2023
Matthias Hoffmann | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Matthias Matthew Hoffmann[1] |
| Also known as | A.C. Boutsen, Brainchild, Cygnus X[1] |
| Born | June 10, 1964
[2] Frankfurt, Germany[2] |
| Genres | Trance, techno, pop, rock |
| Years active | 1980s-present |
| Labels | Eye Q Records, Harthouse, Recycle or Die, Logic Records, Wirtzmusik |
Matthias Hoffmann is a German producer and composer. He most notably co-founded the Eye Q record label, one of the first trance labels, in 1990, alongside Sven Väth and Heinz Roth.[3]
Hoffmann is currently based in Offenbach, Germany.[2]
Hoffmann was an influential early producer in trance music, contributing to musical projects including Cygnus X, Brainchild, Odyssee Of Noises, Metal Master, and more.[1][3] Cygnus X, one of Hoffmann’s most influential trance projects, is primarily known for tracks “Superstring,” “The Orange Theme,” “Positron,” “Turn Around,” and “Kinderlied.”[4]
Early life
Hoffmann was born Matthias Matthew Hoffmann on June 10, 1964 in Frankfurt, Germany.[2]
Hoffmann’s interest in music began when he started playing guitar at around the age of six. His mother had told him to start playing an instrument, and Hoffmann opted for the guitar rather than piano, which his sister was learning at the time. Hoffmann’s earliest musical inputs included classical music that his parents would play at home and organ music from church, the latter of which he cites as one of the first musical sounds that “amazed” him. Growing up, he also enjoyed rock bands such as Pink Floyd, Gentle Giant, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. [3]
When Hoffmann was 16 years old, he began playing the guitar in rock and funk bands, and he began writing songs and lyrics for those bands, as well.[3] Hoffmann finished school in 1983.[4]
Music career
Early touring and session work
After finishing school, Hoffmann toured throughout 1984-1987, mostly via short-term “weekend tours” from Thursday through Sunday. The primary group he played with during this period was Midnight Fun, which rose out of Hoffmann's earlier band, Big Mama & The Syndicates. Hoffmann's future collaborator Ralf Hildenbeutel was the keyboardist for both of these bands, and these bands were how Hoffmann and Hildenbeutel first met.[2]
Hoffmann also began working as a session guitarist around this time, playing on songs including “Ooops Up” by SNAP![3], and for musicians such as Sheila E. and Quincy Jones[1]. Hoffmann also around this time worked as an arranger for German producer Gunther Mende, known for his work with Jennifer Rush.[3]
Early production work and founding Eye Q Records
Hoffmann first met future Eye Q co-founder Sven Väth because Väth was seeking guitar lessons. After their introduction, the two began making music together under the name Mosaic and released their music through Logic Records. Mosaic primarily operated in the Logic Haus studios, where Hoffmann said “all the techno stuff in Frankfurt happened."[2] Hoffmann considers his first “real” release as a producer to be the 1989 second album by Väth’s group, Off, called Ask Yourself.[3]
Heinz Roth, who was working at BMG Publishing at the time, met Hoffmann and Väth through Logic Haus. Roth first proposed the idea to found Eye Q Records. After receiving funding and approval from Warner Records in Hamburg, Hoffmann, Roth, and Väth rented the third floor of the Logic Haus building to use as the studios for the newly established Eye Q label.[2] This operation was upstairs of Michael Munzing and Luca Anzilotti, of SNAP!.[3]
As a part of Eye Q, Hoffmann worked on lots of music behind the scenes, often in collaboration with Ralf Hildenbeutel. Eye Q had two notable sub-labels: Harthouse and Recycle or Die. According to Hoffmann, these labels were created out of a desire to branch out creatively from the commercially-focused Eye Q. Hoffmann described Harthouse as “underground,” free from the “make-a-hit” influence of Warner, and “purely club oriented,” and described Recycle or Die as more “chillout,” “ambient,” “intellectual,” and “arsty.”[2]
Cygnus X
Before starting trance project Cygnus X, Hoffmann was working a "desk job" in A&R for Eye Q, per Roth's request. Hoffmann disliked this job, so he went back to the studio and started Cygnus X, claiming he’d be more valuable to Eye Q there.[4]
The very first Cygnus X release was 1993’s “Superstring,” a collaboration between Hoffmann and Hildenbeutel. The song was made largely in response to deadlines imposed by Warner.[3] Although “Superstring” was in collaboration with Hildenbeutel, Cygnus X went on to primarily be Hoffmann’s own project.[4]
“Superstring” ended up being one of Cygnus X’s most popular and influential songs, but Hoffmann believes it was “not at all” important to his career, because he was not aiming to be a DJ.[3]
During this period, Hoffmann would try out new Cygnus X tracks at Frankfurt club the Omen, because he believed he could judge which tracks would succeed and which would not, based on the crowd’s reaction.[3]
Cygnus X released another one of their most successful tracks, “The Orange Theme,” in November 1994, under Eye Q Records. The music borrowed from Henry Purcell's classical composition, "Music for the Funeral of Queen Mary,” which Hoffmann first heard in the main theme of Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange. The song title, “The Orange Theme,” references the film. Hoffmann was not aware of his song's connection to Purcell until he read about it in an article about “The Orange Theme,” years after its release.[4]
Hoffmann claims to have made “The Orange Theme” in just 3 hours, a speed typical for his process of making trance tracks at that time.[4][3]
To create Cygnus X tracks such as “Superstring” and “The Orange Theme,” Hoffmann used gear from companies Juno, Roland, and Atari, as well as Oberheim keyboards and an Akai S1000 digital sampler.[4]
Hoffmann stated in 2020 that Cygnus X’s 1995 album, Hypermetrical, mixed by Hildenbeutel, was his favorite work of his entire electronic music career.[4]
Post-Eye Q: Schallbau to present
In 1997, Eye Q met its end, partially due to differences in its founders' goals. Väth wanted to pursue his DJ career more seriously, Roth wanted to move to London to continue working in the music business, and Hoffmann wanted to remain at home in Germany.[3]
Soon after the end of Eye Q, Hoffmann founded production company Schallbau with Ralf Hildenbeutel and Steffen Britzke, also known as Stevie B-Zet.[3] At this point, Hoffmann had grown tired of trance music, considering it “boring.” Therefore, Schallbau went in a new stylistic direction, producing pop music with mostly German lyrics.[2]
While Hoffmann considered his time with Schallbau a great success, he grew tired of it and Schallbau ended in 2008.[2]
In 2008, Hoffmann began producing and writing for German rock group Wirtz[3], on his own label, Wirtzmusik.[2] Hoffmann aimed to see how far the group could get without promotion and just based on the strength of their lyrics and music alone.[2]
Around 2020, partially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hoffmann moved on from working with Wirtz. As of November 2023, he is not working on any significant musical projects.[2]
Personal life
Hoffmann prefers not to be in the spotlight, which accounts for why he has done so few interviews throughout his career. [3]
Discography
Note: Hoffmann has had roles in countless musical projects under multiple names and has had his work remixed many times. This discography contains his credits under the name “Matthias Hoffman,” as well as with his significant projects Cygnus X and Schallbau. For the sake of clarity, non-significant remixes of Hoffmann’s work are not included here.
As "Matthias Hoffmann"[1]
- Rammstein – "Dicke Titten" (Universal Music Group, 2022)
- Gregor Meyle – "Medley Erste Staffel" (Embassy Of Music, Meylemusic, 2017)
- Wirtz – "Ich Bleibe Hier" (Wirtzmusik, 2017)
- Max Mutzke – "Everybody Hurts" (Polydor, 2017)
- Wirtz – Auf Die Plätze Fertig Los! (Wirtzmusik, 2016)
- Christina Stürmer – Seite An Seite (Polydor, 2016)
- Wirtz – "Sehnsucht" (Sony Music, 2016)
- Giorgio Adamo – "Revolver (Matthias Hoffmann Remix)" (Catamount Records, 2016)
- Marco P – "Incredible (Matthias Hoffmann Remix)" (Tech Factory Recordings, 2015)
- Hartmut Engler – "Overkill" (XN-Tertainment, Talpa Germany, 2015)
- Scooter – Age Of Love (Club Tools, 2013)
- Adoro – "Dein Lied" (We Love Music, Polydor, Universal Music Group, Adoro Musik, 2011)
- Thomas Godoj – "Winterkinder" (Columbia, Sony Music, 2009)
- Deadmau5 – "Clockwork" (Songbird, 2008)
- ATB – Trilogy (Kontor Records, 2007)
- Atomic Pulse – "Fire Dance (Atomic Pulse Remix)" (Yellow Sunshine Explosion, 2006)
- Scooter – Push The Beat For This Jam (The Second Chapter) (Sheffield Tunes, 2002)
- Ayla – Nirwana (Unsubmissive Records, 2000)
- Laith Al-Deen – "Bilder Von Dir (Radio Edit)" (Epic, 2000)
- Resident Aliens – "Symmetry 2000 (Club Mix)" (DMD, 1999)
- Scooter – Back To The Heavyweight Jam (Club Tools, Edel, Loop Dance Constructions, 1999)
- Kee Mo – "Madness" (Bionic Beat Recordings, 1999)
- Vega – "Seh' Die Vögel Ziehen" (Epic, 1999)
- Kee Mo – "Spectrum" (Fuel Records, 1998)
- Scooter – "No Fate" (Club Tools, Loop Dance Constructions, 1997)
- Vernon – "Wonderer (Instrumental Mix)" (Eye Q Records, 1996)
- Brainchild – "Synfonica" (Javelin, 1996)
- Die Puppets – "Drei In Einem Boot" (Bella Musica, 1995)
- Wagnerama Feat. Mike Kilian – "Stand Up For Your Children" (MCA Records, 1994)
- Mosaic – "Mosaic V (Headbanging Mix)" (K-Tel, 1993)
- Metal Master – "Vol. 1" (Harthouse, 1992)
- Off – Ask Yourself (Ariola, 1990)
- Various – Supermax (Max Music, 1990)
- The Fate, Big Savod & The Deep Manko, Kampanella Is Dead, B. Crown – All Tomorrow's Parties (Zong, 1990)
- Various – Celebrating The Eggman: A Tribute To John Lennon (Zong, 1990)
- Alexis – Alexis (CBS, 1990)
- Off – "Hip Hop Reggae" (Ariola, 1989)
- Off – Off (Ariola, 1989)
- New Soul – "To Be With You" (Logic Records, 1989)
- Off – "Everybody Shake" (ZYX Records, 1988)
Cygnus X[5]
(All releases under Eye Q Records.)
- Hypermetrical (1995) (Album):
- "Kinderlied (part 1)"
- "Kinderlied (part 2)"
- "Hypermetrical"
- "Deliberation"
- "Turn Around"
- "Synchronism"
- "The Orange Theme"
- "Indakasa"
- "Hypermetrical" (1995)
- "Synchronism" (1995)
- "Turn Around" (1995)
- "Kinderlied" (1995)
- "The Orange Theme" (1994)
- "Positron" (1993)
- "Superstring" (1993)
Schallbau[6]
- Steve Eagle – "Sketches In Spring (Schallbau Mix)" (Self-released, 2009)
- Da Pump – "Wish You Would" (Avex Tune, 2006)
- Sandra – "Maria Magdalena" (Virgin Music, EMI, 2006)
- Yvonne Catterfeld – "Leben Lassen" (Hansa, 2005)
- Simon Collins – "Mirror" (Lightyears, 2005)
- Yvonne Catterfeld – Farben Meiner Welt (Hansa, BMG Berlin Musik, 2004)
- Laith Al-Deen – "Höher" (Columbia, 2004)
- Laith Al-Deen – Für Alle (Columbia, Musicline.de, 2004)
- Laith Al-Deen featuring Zoe – "Meilenweit" (Columbia, 2004)
- Laith Al-Deen – "Alles An Dir" (Columbia, 2003)
- Yvonne Catterfeld – "Niemand Sonst" (RCA, BMG Berlin Musik, 2003)
- Laith Al-Deen – "Traurig" (Columbia, 2003)
- Yvonne Catterfeld – "Wahre Helden" (RCA, BMG Berlin Musik, 2003)
- Tom Albrecht – "360°" (Polydor, Universal, 2003)
- Laith Al-Deen – "Dein Lied" (Epic, 2002)
- Laith Al-Deen – "Jetzt, Hier, Immer" (Columbia, 2002)
- Catterfeld – "Niemand Sonst" (Hansa, 2002)
- Laith Al-Deen – Melomanie (Columbia, 2002)
- Schallbau – "People Are Making History" (Flying Rhino Freestyle, 2001)
- Lath al-Deen – "Es tut mir leid" (In Motion Records, 2001)
- Laith al-Deen – Ich Will Nur Wissen ... (Epic, 2001)
- Simon Collins – All Of Who You Are (WEA, 2000)
- Simon Collins – "Money Maker" (WEA, 2000)
- Laith Al-Deen – "Bilder Von Dir" (Epic, 2000)
- Simon Collins – "Shine Through" (WEA, 2000)
- Laith Al-Deen – "Kleine Helden" (Epic, 2000)
- Cosmic Baby – "Sketches In Spring (Schallbau Remix)" (Intercord, 1999)
- Simon Collins – "Pride" (WEA, 1999)
- OOMPH! – "Das Weisse Licht (Fütter Mich-Remix)" (Virgin, 1999)
- Bandaloop – "Extraordinary (Schallbau-Mix)" (Columbia, 1999)
- Daff-o-dil – "Insanity (Schallbau's Jumper Mix)" (Virgin, 1999)
- Vega – Vega (Epic, 1999)
- Schallbau – Schallbau's Point Zero Vol. 1 (Logic Records, 1998)
- Rooster vs. Silver vs. Lamont Humphrey – "I Like The Sun (Schallbau Mix)" (Logic Records, 1998)
- Trickbaby – "Indie-Yarn" (Logic Records, BMG, 1998)
- Strawpeople – "Taller Than God" (Columbia, 1997)
References
- ^ a b c d e "Matthias Hoffmann Discography". Discogs. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Hoffmann, Matthias (November 15, 2023). "Matthias Hoffmann Interview by Williams Goldsmith" (personal).
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p van Loon, Twan (2020-09-26). "The story behind "Cygnus X - Superstring" by Matthias Hoffmann". musikxpress. YouTube. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ a b c d e f g h van Loon, Twan (2020-11-07). "The story behind "Cygnus X - The Orange Theme" by Matthias Hoffmann". musikxpress. YouTube. Retrieved 2023-12-12.
- ^ "Cygnus X Discography". Discogs. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
- ^ "Schallbau Discography". Discogs. Retrieved December 12, 2023.