Frankfurt based production team and label NEEDS comprise the brothers Lars and Marek Bartkuhn alongside DJ Yannick. Being formed in 1999 they have already proved to be one of the most promising new production outfits from germany, gaining worldwide respect for their unique musical and jazz-tinged deep house sound (that subtly displays their musical influences which include jazz and funk as well as soulful techno).

After a handful of 12"s on their own Needs imprint (including the highly acclaimed underground house smashs "So Many Things" and "Brother", which has just been licensed to Virgin for their next 'Respect' release), they have also gained much recognition as remix artists with works for the likes of Ian Pooley, Taxi, Playin' 4 The City among others.
Side projects include Lars Bartkuhn's new Inner Music label, which as an open platform is mainly dedicated to his jazz roots, and the Boobjazz project on Stir. Spring 2001 will see more smooth and soulful Needs stuff and further remixes, as well as an EP for Far Out-offshoot Solaria (UK).

Behind the decks the Needs crew combines skills, passion and a decade of DJ experience. With their distinctive style between deep house, classic garage and a variety of soulful sounds, they have not only played all obvious clubs in Germany, but also earned attention with various guest spots all over Europe and on the other side of the pond.

NEEDS - how did it all start then?

After getting in touch with HipHop at the end of the 80s it was a night at legendary XS club in '92 when MAREK fell in love with the soulful vibe of house music. He started to DJ and throw own parties in the countryside outside of Frankfurt and regularly invited Yannick to spin with him, which he met in a local record store and soon became friends with.
Being influenced by 80s Soul and HipHop, YANNICK started DJing at parties in the german underground house and techno movement back in 1989. Besides organizing own parties in the early 90s in the Frankfurt area (with debut appearances from the likes of Chez Damier) he was also founder and editor of 'Size!' (both alongside DJ C-Rock) - a legendary underground magazine that focused on Chicago and NY House, Detroit Techno, plus early breakbeats and today can still be seen as the prototype for many following publications in Germany. Residencies at clubs such as XS or The Box among others followed as well as guest spots all over Germany and Europe. One of the highlights in his DJ career was a guest appearance on Larry Heards birthday celebration at Chicagos Red Dog club in '96. He started working for Groove magazine, later became editor-in-chief, but left the company in '99.
Whereas Yannick and Marek have been spinning house music for many years, LARS got a totally different musical background. After he had already started composing own music with a synth, he got his first guitar at the age of 13. Highly talented and also deeply influenced by his main idol Pat Metheny, he spent all his energy on becoming a jazz guitarist within the next years. He first got fascinated by house music in '98 at one of his brother's parties. An experience that changed it all: He soon quit his studies at infamous Cologne music high school to concentrate on first house productions and deeply dived into his brother's record collection. After Lars came up with the idea to create some own house music, his brother Marek and Yannick joined him to form Lamaya Productions, which led into founding the production team and label Needs in 1999.
needs (not wants).

press quotes:

"Needs follow a host of acclaimed remixes, which has made them such a name to look out for. The quality from these guys has been relentless. 'Brother' is deep, soulful dance music at it's best. One of the tunes of the year. A label to watch, a collective to watch. Simply stunning." (Blues & Soul, UK)

"The latest productions from Needs should be high on your shopping list this time around. Luscious grooves full of cool pads, subtle beats and lazy, hooky vocals. Perfect late night gear." (Muzik, UK)

"Despite being a relatively new formation, the NEEDS crew are makin' some serious noise. With a label deal through Groove Attack, and an impressive string of remixes for heavies like Ian Pooley, Playin' 4 The City and Taxi, Needs is set to change the musical face of Frankfurt." (Straight No Chaser, UK)

"Incredible! House music like you've never heard it before from Germany." (Remix, Japan)

"This has been an amazing year for the Needs collective. After releasing some timeless tunes on their own label and a few slamming remixes (check Ian Pooley's 'Coracao Tambor') it seems that things couldn't get any better for them. Believe it or not, the future looks even brighter." (URB, USA)

"A breathtaking minimal hyperballad in its original form, 'People Come Running' becomes of interest for non-chillout djs in its remixes. Needs come up with an electronic song that would make machines fall in love. Delightful." (DJ Magazine, UK)

"With tracks like their brilliant remix for Taxi's 'People Come Runnin' currently rocking everywhere from Sweden to New York, they've created a very own style, heavily influenced by classics from Detroit and Chicago." (Jazz Thing, Germany)

"Classy smooth late night house action from this on-the-up Frankfurt crew." (Jockey Slut, UK)

"Deep house with balls!" (Plastiks, Belgium)

"Overwhelming. While always praising the heros of the oldschool, the Needs sound is still so fresh and crisp like you didn't hear it in a long time." (Groove, Germany)

"After their first releases have already gained them an enormous reputation around the globe, they obviously have found their very own musical language now." (Spex, Germany)

needs (not wants).