Release Information 2005 marks the year of sudden changes. The digitalization of all our society's aspects has reached the highest imaginable level. Robot-like, we move along in a time of ever changing trends, all of them carrying the same human weakness: their ephemerality. And yet there is a way to avoid the dead end: honesty, and individual authenticity. Richard Bartz, widely considered being one of the most interesting and versatile producers of the electronic avant-garde, surprises with a first album released on his own label, Kurbel Records. For ten years now, Kurbel accounts for exquisitely selected Techno music in all its variety, surrounded by musical influences, constantly avoiding expiration. Consequently, the new album makes an honest statement by picking up these paradigms and extrapolating them into new, modern directions. Therefor, Richard's album "BIG" is at the same time a birthday gift and an invitation for further planned albums on Kurbel. "BIG", bearing the name of Richard's own modular synthesizer system, embodies sound exploration and magnitude, and with that the concepts of truth and honesty. Features which are particularly relevant for an artist when they are about to disappear from the (musical) world that surrounds him. Just one more reason for Richard to ban all the gadgets from his studio and to dedicate himself to the old way of analogue producing. Yes, you heard right: The entire album is produced analoguous. Maybe as an act of questioning the total digitalization of music productions everywhere, yet maybe just out of delight in proving his constant ability to reshape music styles. And he perfectly succeeds with this album. Reflecting his long-time experience as a producer ? for DJ Hell amongst others ? the tracks show perfect craftsmanship and highest complexity in their arrangement and formulation. Richard Bartz has always been blessed with that fondness for Chicago, Elektro, Techno, and Acid, yet also Trance styles. He has mastered the fusion of these styles which he also keeps pushing forward for more than ten years now. The question about stereotypes never arises, there's no faking, everything's vivid, pure, and authentic. A very personal album which can be considered the culmination of 10 years of work as well as last year's releases. Departing from the contemporary "Midnight Man" on Gigolo Records, Richard now takes a journey into time which may be a longer one. Maybe one that will lead into a new era of music production that fulfills the wishes of those who long for hand-made quality, not the dirty and indifferent. That's the real challenge: No pre-programmed arrangements but hypnotic sounds waking our ancient drives. And that certain relaxed flow alongside dynamic energy. Bodily effects guaranteed. When listening to this long player, one will notice a dramaturgically well-founded arrangement in the compilation of the tracks. And that's what makes an album an album. Every track makes you feel the personal reference and the joy in producing. Any feeling is allowed, but it's certainly more about the energy and the body dynamics. If you're still sitting in your corner, well, then it's really your own fault. Richard Bartz Discography (excerpt) 4 Degrees 12" Disko B Balance 12" Disko B Safari CD/12" Disko B Musik für MillionenCD/12" Disko B Pot / Junkyard 12" Disko B Sci-Fi CD Disko B Style Wars EP 12" Kurbel Ghettoblaster 12" Kurbel + Saug 27 12" Kurbel Take A Shot 12" Kurbel Subway 12" Kanzleramt Ghettoblaster II12" Kurbel The Traveller 12" Kurbel Holographic EP 12" Kurbel Rock My Body 12" Gigolo Rec. Live at Cocoon CD Cocoon Rec. Navigator EP 12" Kurbel Spiralistic 12" Kurbel Sexy Robot 12" Kurbel Don't Stop! 12" Kurbel Everybody Knows 12" Kurbel Midnight Man CD/12" Gigolo Rec. 1000 Styles (Part 1) 12" Kurbel Ghettoblaster III 12" Kurbel Munich Motorcity 2x12" Kurbel About Richard Bartz Munich-born Richard Bartz has been a leading factor in the electronic dance music scene for over a decade. In the mid-90s, alongside with DJ Hell, he founded the "Munich Techno" genre whose formative influence can still be heard in releases all over the world. In 1995, Bartz founded his own label "Kurbel" for his own releases. Using project names at first, later his own name as well as his pseudonym "Acid Scout?, he released classics like the "Style Wars", "Ghettoblaster", "Holographic", and "Navigator" EPs. During the years, many artists release on Kurbel, amongst them headliners like DJ Hell, Heiko Laux, Savas Pascalidis, Johannes Heil, and Daniel Lodig. Due to the bankruptcy of EFA in April 2004, Kurbel loses its distributor and is suspended temporarily. In 2005, it?s starting over with its new distributor Neuton. Richard Bartz currently is one of the national and international Techno scene's hottest live acts. He has been performing in every noteworthy club, his gigs are acclaimed by both audience and critics.