Plus 8 Tribute Part 2: Adam Beyer, Sven Vath, Michael Mayer, Christian Smith

Plus 8 Tribute Part 2: Adam Beyer, Sven Vath, Michael Mayer, Christian Smith

21 August, 2010 | 2.27AM

• Written by: Beatportal
• Filed under: Music News: adam beyer, christian smith, john acquaviva, michael mayer, plastikman, plus 8, speedy j

Twenty years ago, Richie Hawtin and John Acquaviva planted the seeds of a legend when they started up Plus 8 Records.

We continue celebrating the label’s 20th anniversary with more tributes from friends and fans of the label. Today, Adam Beyer, Sven Väth, Michael Mayer, and Christian Smith share their favorite tunes and memories. Which record store almost went bankrupt when an overeager buyer blew over a month’s budget on Plus 8 back catalog? Read on to find out.

And don’t forget: from now through August 26, 2010, get 20% off the entire Plus 8 Records catalog. Click here for the coupon code and instructions on how to use it.

Adam Beyer

I remember going to a rave on a bus from Stockholm to Copenhagen in ‘93; it was me, Joel Mull, Jesper Dahlbäck, and a bunch of other friends (plus a whole bus of ravers). The party was called Lovecore and the lineup was the most amazing thing we had ever seen! Jeff Mills, DJ ESP (Woody McBride), Basic Channel live, Electric Indigo, and Vapourspace live!!!! Plus a bunch of others I can’t remember, maybe Djungle fever crew from Cologne also (we were big fans).

 Back in ‘93 there was still so much innovation in the scene, and the feeling of hearing things you never heard before was what it was all about. So when Vapourspace played ‘Gravitational Arch of 10’, it really blew our minds: that track is one of the most timeless pieces of techno music ever made. I still to this day visit some of my old rave memories to remember what I felt when I heard those legendary songs. The party was freezing cold in a dirty warehouse but I will never forget 
one of the sirens changing my life forever.

Vapourspace, ‘Gravitational Arch of Ten’ (1993)

Michael Mayer

The only time in 18 years I really got into trouble with my friend and former partner Jörg Burger was in 1993. At the time I was taking care of the buying for our record shop Delirium. It was still a relatively small place and so was our weekly budget, 1000 DM tops. When I placed a Plus 8 back catalogue order worth 5000 DM (2500€) I didn’t feel like I did anything wrong… there was so much gold on that label! But Jörg was literally green in his face—fortunately, I’ve never seen him like this again. I almost ruined us and it took about seven years until the last copy was sold. But hell, I made a lot of clients happy by pulling out a freshly shrink-wrapped classic. My personal favourite? Psyance’s ‘The Answer’, sampling Lisa Stansfield… how cool was that? Happy birthday!

Psyance, ‘The Answer’ (1994)

Christian Smith

I remember sending John Aquaviva and Richie Hawtin badly produced demo cassettes in the early ‘90s, and even speaking on the phone to John Aquaviva’s mother because he still lived with his parents. A lot has changed since then, but one thing is for sure, Plus 8 has released records that have hugely influenced me, and are the label is still on top of its game 20 years later! Bravo!

F.U.S.E., ‘F.U.’ (1991)

Sven Väth

F.U.S.E. auf Plus 8, gab mir Richi 1992/93 in New York. Ich kam nach Hause und spielte die Scheibe im Omen, danach war alles anders!!!

[Richie gave me F.U.S.E. on Plus 8 in 1992/93 in New York. I came back home and played the record in the Omen Club—after that, nothing would ever be the same!]

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