YORK & FAWZY: "Touched by God" - the best of the past and present
With YORK’s seasoned experience and FAWZY’s fresh perspective, these 2 creative minds blended multiple styles to craft a rework designed to take listeners on a heavenly journey. We caught up with them to dive deeper into the process behind this challenging - but undeniably magical - collaboration.
It all began in 1997 when brothers Torsten and Jörg Stenzel came together to form YORK, a project that would soon leave its mark on the global electronic music scene. Fusing elements of Electronica, Chillout, and Club music, YORK quickly carved out a signature sound - atmospheric, melodic, and emotionally charged.
They made their breakthrough in 1998 with "The Awakening", followed by a UK top-five hit in 1999 with their dreamy take on Chris Rea’s "On The Beach." Their albums, Experience (2001) and Peace (2005), cemented their place in the scene. In 2012, Islanders brought a tropical twist, while Traveller and Indigo featured heartfelt collaborations with Torsten’s daughter, Au/Ra.
Fast forward to 2023, YORK reunited with ATB and Au/Ra for "Highs & Lows," and soon after, joined the legendary Trance Allstars project.
YORK keeps delivering a mix of Balearic, old-school, and uplifting trance while also embracing new sonic directions and fresh collaborations, including this one with fast-rising Egyptian talent FAWZY.
Emerging from Egypt’s vibrant electronic scene, FAWZY has quickly become a name to watch in the world of trance and progressive music. Known for his emotionally driven melodies and powerful energy, he’s carved his path with releases on labels like Armada, FSOE, and Black Hole Recordings.
Blending classic trance elements with a modern touch, FAWZY’s sound tells a story - one that resonates deeply with listeners. With each track, he brings passion, precision, and a deep love for the genre, proving that his journey is just getting started.
Torsten, “Touched by God" was originally released back in 2012 on your album Islanders, with multiple versions including the Original Album Mix, Steve Brian's Ocean Influence Mix, Xgenic Remix, and more. What motivated you to return to this particular track after all these years?
Torsten: To be honest, it was FAWZY’s idea to rework it and I was straight away open for this collaboration remix...
Back in 1995, you felt Guru Josh’s “Infinity” was too slow for trance sets, which led to your well-known uplifting cover as DJ Taucher. Do you see the rework of “Touched by God” as a similar effort - like you did with “Awakening” - to modernize timeless tracks for today’s audience?
Torsten: Yes, that’s exactly why we do those kinds of mixes...
Looking back, how long did it take to create the original version, and how does that compare to the time you spent on the rework today with FAWZY?
Torsten: The original mix took me weeks to complete...
FAWZY, can you give us the inside scoop on the production process for this track? And how was Torsten to work with?
FAWZY: Sure thing! Growing up, I have always had great respect for York...
How did that connection between you two come about, and what actually made you want to work together on this version?
FAWZY: As mentioned above, I grew up with York’s music...
Torsten: In addition, I am always open to newcomers...
What was the most challenging part of producing "Touched by God" - and do you feel it turned out the way you envisioned?
FAWZY: That's really good but also a challenging question!...
Torsten: I really think that with FAWZY's inputs, it turned into a fantastic new version...
Torsten, Black Hole Recordings has been a longtime home for your music over the past 25 years, but this marks your first release on their In Trance We Trust sub-label. FAWZY, while you've also released your music with labels like Armada, FSOE, and Black Hole Recordings, this is your debut on ITWT as well. Would you both say this label feels like the perfect fit for this track?
FAWZY: Absolutely! Through its rich and vivid history...
Torsten: This is my first release on ITWT, so it is a big honour for me...
How would you describe the overall vibe and sonic identity of this track? What kind of mood or journey were you hoping to take listeners on?
FAWZY: I would dare and say it’s such a diverse and comprehensive record...
Torsten: In my opinion, the meaning of "Touched by God" is very deep...
