DJ Hell, aka Helmut Geier, has been at the forefront of pushing musical boundaries for decades. Emerging on the scene with 1992’s My Definition of House Music on R&S Records, he solidified his influence with the launch of International Deejay Gigolo Records in 1997.
The Gigolo label soon became a game-changer, launching the careers of artists like Miss Kittin and Fischerspooner, while also propelling Hell into the limelight, and bringing electroclash into the public consciousness.
Hell’s latest release is the My House EP, set to be released on Lady Tazz’s Mind Medizin label on 26 July. Featuring two tracks, My House and My House (Tal Fussman Remix), it’s described as ‘pure and unadulterated club music with rigid drum loops and taught synth twangs’, and can be pre-ordered here.
For this week’s #MyRecordBag feature, DJ Hell shares with us his essential Gigolo classics, the tracks that helped shape the label’s evolution from an underground imprint to a benchmark setter for electronic and underground sounds. Over to you, Hell!
A Number Of Names – Shari Vari (The Hacker & Vitalic Remix)
“I went on tour with them in Germany and unfortunately didn’t record their amazing live set after re-releasing this timeless masterpiece of music, including the outstanding remix by Vitalic and The Hacker.”
Bobby Konders – Nervous Acid
“This is from his first and only house music album, which he released on Gigolo Records – one of the greatest acid tracks of all time.”
P Diddy feat Kelis – Lets Get Ill (DJ Hell Remix)
“I met Puff Daddy in NYC, when he said he would save the future of techno music. This track and its remix destroyed many dancefloors around that time in Miami and NYC.”
TRIKE – Talk Back
“Originally planned to be released on Richie Hawtin’s Plus 8 imprint, Talk Back was dropped on Gigolo Records in the end. One of my favourite tracks, it never gets old.”
Fischerspooner – Emerge (Naughty’s Peaktime Mix)
“This is lost in time, but is a great version of Fischerspooner’s Emerge. I think there are around 150 remixes of this wonderful piece of art.”
Paperclip People – Oscillator (Sebastien San Remix)
“This is still hot and never goes out of fashion – it’s a rework from Sebastien for Gigolo of the original Carl Craig masterpiece.”
Dopplereffekt – Plastiphilia (Original Mix)
“I collected all the early works by Gerald Donald and made this album as a tribute to his craft, and Zaubermusik. It was heavily influenced by Kraftwerk and their sound/image.”
Billy Nightmare – Malfunktion
“DJ Traxx, Deecoy and Hieroglyphic released some awesome, real Chicago cuts which embraced the harder side of acid and techno.”
Scott Ferguson – Dump Days
“Best jazz-house percussion record I know – outstanding and touched by the hand of God.”
Jeff Mills – Theme From 2000
“This was Jeff’s contribution to launch my label, and it helped me to get noticed immediately.”
Thanks to DJ Hell for his selections. The My House EP is released on 26 July on Mind Medizin. Photo by Sven Marquardt.
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