Martin and Shane were introduced through a friend a number of years ago and it is their shared passion for music that has led to many sleepless nights and morning train journeys home as they explored the live music scene listening to their favourite artists. 

Recently they have started working in the studio together. Here on Soundcloud is their latest collaboration under the HTZ alias.

Founded in 2004, Circle Music has established a renowned reputation within the electronic music scene. The German imprint stands for high quality House and Techno music. Circle Music’s spectrum ranges from groovy inspired records to tracks, that make the genuine and frenetic live-atmosphere of a club hear- and noticeable.

The circle in the label’s logo is a symbol for permanent progress and continuous advancement, combining subtle melodic sounds with pushing rhythms. Circle Music is standing for a collective of like-minded producers, which understands itself as an art-community presenting art in a wider sense. Not only with the countless releases on vinyl, CD and MP3, the label made itself a name in the club scene with its showcases and also shaped the sound of several clubs at home and abroad.

Alex Flatner, initiator and founder, is acting as the creative wheel behind Circle Music, signing the likes of Lopazz, Steve Lawler, Robert Babicz, Daniel Bortz, Subb-An, Sebastien Leger, Gui Boratto, Valentino Kanzyani or Umek, to mention just a few.

Some people crave the public adulation and trappings of stardom that a successful career in the electronic music industry can bring. Some people are too busy being creative to worry about these things. With some people, when you scratch beneath the surface, unfortunately there is little substance to talk about. Then there are some people who have come in under the radar, conscientiously building great things in their own quiet way. These are the true masters, people who, when you dig deeper, you find famous productions, genius collaborations, exciting record labels and legendary club nights. Germany’s Alex Flatner is such a person, he may not yet be a household name but his career achievements so far are way beyond impressive.

Anyone seeking a role model for how to operate successfully and with longevity in the electronic dance music industry today, should study Alex Flatner, the art of multi-tasking across disciplines has been honed to perfection by this congenial, self-effacing man from Munich. He runs his highly successful underground labels, Gedankensport and Circle Music; works as an A&R manager for labels including Harthouse and Plastic City; is a producer of immense talent and a highly regarded DJ who travels all over the globe at weekends.

Having started to produce music in 1992 for his own enjoyment, a chance meeting with Corvin Dalek, A&R for the Berlin based MFS label, resulted in his first big hit, “Pounds & Penz”. The record sold more then 50K copies (on vinyl) and was licensed to many compilations. Such huge success led to many remix and production opportunities, a personal highlight for Alex being his highly creative reworking of “Crystal” by New Order, a version much loved by Bernard Sumner.

An introduction to the world of DJing came about by accident in 1995, when a new club opened (Electric Delicate) in his hometown of Munich. The DJ didn’t turn up one Saturday night, so Alex ended up spinning some records to keep the crowd entertained, the night becoming one of the most popular in the city at that time. Crucially, this new creative outlet led to Alex Flatner’s name becoming known outside Germany. These days he can regularly be found behind the decks in Istanbul, Rome, Berlin (Watergate), Paris, Madrid (Fabrik), Bloemendaal (Woodstock 69), Rotterdam and many other major clubbing cities around the globe.

Always wanting to learn and develop his skills further, Alex took on the role of A&R in 2002 for a variety of labels. Up to now, he has signed more then 3000 releases for Harthouse, Plastic City, Fine Audio, Monoid, Mole Listening Pearls, Circle Music, Gedankensport, Galvanic, Compressed and for many other imprints. 

In 2006 Alex Flatner moved from Munich to Mannheim, where he has continued to be based to this day, working across his many disciplines. A steady flow of highly charged, intensely creative productions on Toni Rios’ Soap Records (“Oriental Dreams”, 2008), Sven Väth’s Cocoon (“Make Up Your Mind” 2009), Steve Bug’s Poker Flat Recordings (“Dinosaurs”, 2010 and “This” 2011) and Daniel Schlender’s Result Recordings (“Blossom”, 2011), have marked him as a producer of immense talent. The licensing and inclusion of his tracks on mix compilations by Locodice (“In The Lab”) and Sven Väth (“Ninth Season”), and may more, have steadily built respect and profile around the world.

When you dig a little deeper and discover a stunning array of recent remixes, including: Gui Boratto “Atol” (Harthouse), Terry Lee Brown Junior “Pulsar” (Plastic City), Steve Lawler “Almerina” (Harthouse), Mike Vamp “High On Heels” (Top Model), Alejandro Vivanco “Vita Jo” (Eukatech), David Keno “Stars Above” (Keno), amongst many, you realise Alex Flatner has his finger firmly on the pulse of electronic dance music. Additional studio and collaborations with the likes of Lopazz, Reboot, Santos, Simon Baker, Oliver Klein, Ken Ishii, Joey Beltram, Anderson Noise, Einzelkind and Martin Eyerer show that here is a producer who thrives on creative relationships, always seeking to experiment and develop as an artist.

Since starting his own Circle Music imprint in 2004, Alex has worked hard to release amazing music from an astonishing array of international artists, including Gui Boratto, Sébastien Léger, Valentino Kanzyani, Umek, Anderson Noise, Robert Babicz, Leandro Gamez, Michel de Hey, Santos, Joey Beltram, Bryan Zentz, and may more, alongside his own productions and those with studio collaborator Lopazz. In 2007 he released a fabulous label compilation mix CD (“World Of Circle”) linked with touring through France, India, Spain, Croatia, Germany, Poland and Russia. A further “Best Of Circle” label compilation appeared in 2009 and 2012 will see Alex Flatner release a new Circle compilation in the emerging nu-disco style. Also, look out for exciting Circle releases from Daniel Bortz and Slok feat. My Favourite Robot with remixes by Subb-an and Lopazz

Whilst establishing Circle Music, Alex also realised that he also needed an outlet to explore possibilities with more pure house orientated music. Launched in 2006, Gedankensport has overseen the emergence of superb releases from Vox Sola, Evil Hinko, Piemont, Pelle Buys, Christopher Rau, Daniel Bortz, Matiss. Having two distinct platforms to release a wide variety of great music has given both labels the creative freedom to thrive and develop over the years.

In early 2012, Alex Flatner and Lopazz (best known for the quality, avant-garde club music he’s released on labels like Get Physical, Cocoon, Pokerflat) have been locked in the studio at every available opportunity creating their debut artist album, a project that will feature some surprising collaborators. Their track “Perfect Circles” (Circle Music, 2008), featuring the voice of Lopazz, received much big name DJ support, including Sven Väth, who played it for a whole summer season in Ibiza and licensed it to his yearly Cocoon mix compilation. This huge success resulted in further work together for Cocoon (“Make Up Your Mind”, 2009) and then “Dinosaurs” (2010) for Steve Bug’s Poker Flat Recordings. Their next single release is scheduled for release on Get Physical at the end of April 2012. After such illustrious beginnings, the debut album by Alex Flatner and Lopazz is sure to be one of the musical highlights of the year. 


Joe Barrs has always possessed a fervent passion for music and performing having attended two of Sydney’s most prestigious performing arts high schools.  Having a sweet melodic voice and a penchant for the guitar this was his focus until the age of 17.  This changed when he moved to England to live with his cousin for a period.  In a flat in South London Joe was first introduced to the art of turntablism.  Joe was instantly enamoured by the art and set out to cultivate his craft flipping records and blending beats daily until he perfected his skills.  As the art has changed and progressed over the many years since, Joe has been there every step of the way further developing his arsenal.   
It has been 13 years since Joe first hit the Technics turntables, a career that has seen him perform and gain residencies around the globe.  This wealth of experience performing at clubs, bars, pubs and private functions ensures that Joe is fluid in his ability to play all genres and please all crowds.  His versatility is evident in his having developed an innate skill to read the room and tailor his delivery accordingly.
Over the years Joe has maintained his love for musicianship in creating his own music.  He is a singer, rapper and producer who recently returned to his origins in cultivating his own work which has been well received on Triple J Unearthed.  With a laid back rap style, melodic voice and ability to inhabit a variety of genres he has been described as ‘Rufus meets Allday meets Tame Impala’.  This wide scope of comparison is again testament to his versatility and range in creating songs and sounds that cross genres and appeal to a diverse audience.

FEEDBACKS ON FULL FLAVA RELEASES

FF08: Max Cue &amp; Testa Rossa:Mimì &amp; Cocò EP

Hernan Cattaneo: very good track from Max Cue 
Federico Epis: Max Cue is my pick here ! top stuff
Nick Warren: Max for me
The Mystic Force: Max Cue tune sounds good
Remo: very well done!
ABYSS: Love it! In my next dj set surely!
Sven Jacobsen: Great work. Will play them
Philipp Straub: Like the vibe of both tracks! Well done!
CP (Bedrock): Max cue is very nice
Tom Novy: Nice, I like both!
Ryan Luciano: Great EP! Max\’s mix for me! Thanks!
Cristian Varela: both great!
Ricky Montanari: I like the max Cue
Sasha Le Monnier: lovely sound from Max Cue here! Des Sentiments being the pick!
Benji Candelario: Good Tune!!!
Tim Benjamin: Max Cue sounds great to me, thanks!
Tsugi Mag: Nice tune
Catastrophic: Great EP, Max Cue is my pick here. Support from Tunnel FM
Pedro Mercardo: Nice vibes, perfect for my Kondo Beach Mix Sessions!!!


<hr>
FF07. Mr. Flavour &amp; Andrea Lombardo:Puro, the remixes EP

Dave Seaman: I like them!! Cheers
Markus Schulz: thanks so much, will try it
Sander Kleinenberg: Thanks! Downloading
Darin Epsilon: Federico Epis version for sure. Like this dirty prog sound.
Paul Nazca: Monero rmx is cool but the original is the best for me
Sasha Le Monnier: sweet as! both are good here, downloading, thanks for sending over!
CP: Monero’s remix is ok for me! Nice one!
Retroid: nice remixes!! Like both tunes
Silinder: Both very good, thanks
Diego Mongelos: superb. Federico is great
Peter Martin: very good, will play it
Placid: Great remix by Federico, love the drive, will burn the dancefloor! Monero’s one has a good groove and great sounds, like it!
Luke Porter: Nice work from Federico
Ryan Luciano: Great Remix from Federico:Will support this!
Marc Pole: Federico’s remix is a “Killer”. Also Monero’s one is really nice
Fernando Ferreyra: Amazing Remix from Epis and a very good work from Monero too!!
Tim Benjamin: both nice remixes, thanks
Suffused: wicked
Jim Star: i love this track!
Anderson Noise: downloading, thanks
Pedro Mercardo: For me definitely the Federico Epis Rmx, good job!
Ko Kimura: Federiko epis remix for me.
Sven Jacobsen: Matteo Monero Remix for me, very nice one 
The Mystic Force: matteo’s remix sounds cool
Wes Straub: Amazing remix by Federico, this will be at the front of my collection for awhile.
Ingo Vogelmann: Great as always, Mr. Epis. Monero’s remix is really nice
Tsugi Mag: cool one


<hr>
FF06. Goran Paoletti:ESC EP

Paul Nazca: original trax! I like the sound design
Judge Jules: nice one!
Sander Kleinenberg: nice release. Thanks!
The Mystic Force: cool experimental tracks
Darin Epsilon: Very creative tracks from the imagination of Goran.&nbsp; Nice selection of sounds.
Tsugi Mag: Nice tracks!
Tim Benjamin: sick tunes, nice!
Sven Jacobsen: Nice works.
Abyss: nice sounds.
Matteo Monero: Wicked!!


<hr>
FF05. The Visitors Attak:A Nervous Man EP inc. remix from Mr.Flavour &amp; Andrea Lombardo

Dave Seaman: like it!! Cheers
Hernan Cattaneo: very good!
Judge Jules: nice release. Protesta my fav
Anthony Pappa: The best mix is the “Original Mix” of “A Nervous Man”. It’s ok and lmight use it as a filler if playing a long set. Thanks. Pappa
Benji Candelario: Goodtune!!
Tom Novy: Great EP! A Nervous Man + rmx for me!
Remo: nice deep sounds. 
Silinder: Love Protesta and the remix.
Lemon 8: Nice ep. Nice vibes though.
Federico Epis: Supporting the remix ! great work thanks
Paul Nazca: support!!
Anderson Noise: Downloading. Thanks!!
Kintar: Both Originals are pretty Deep and good! 
D-Phrag: Protesta is good. Thanks
Darin Epsilon: Protesta is excellent. Simple yet effective. Love these deep grooves.
CP: A Nervous Man (Original) for me! Deep &amp; Nice
Abyss: nice music!in my bag ready
Sven Jacobsen: Great work, Mr. Flavour &amp; Lombardo Remix for me!!


<hr>
FF04. Mr.Flavour &amp; Andrea Lombardo:Puro EP ft. Paul Nazca &amp; Commodity Place remixes

Hernan Cattaneo:great release nazca mix the best, commodity really cool too! Top stuff, i really like it!!
Dave Seaman: Original is cool
Nick Warren: excellent, Nazca mix for me
Laurent Garnier: love it
Federico Epis: Can't decide which I like most, amazing package!
Flash Brothers: original is nice
D-Phrag: Commodity Place is really psychedelic
Derek Howell:Nice &amp; thick layers. Lots of good movement.
Federico Grazzini: lovely atmosphere on commodity place
Diego Mongelos: Full support. Great sounds
Lemon8: Love the Nazca remix. Will definitely play it
Paul Nazca: The original is a very very nice trax! Deep and magic. &nbsp;For me a good inspirationThe Commodity rmx is cool also. Guitar in placeIn my charts
Maxime Dangles: great ep ! nice melody, full support the paul nazca remix!
Terence Fixmer: Really nice rmx from Paul, he knows how to manage great athmopshere and melody.
Darin Epsilon: Good sounds, I enjoy the Original and Paul Nazca mixes the most here.
Cid Inc: Nazca remix sounds good, thanks.
ABYSS: love it!will test soon!orig.mix for me
Anderson Noise: Paul Nazca Remix for me!!
The Mystic Force: Paul Nazca provides us some brain-damage
Onionz: i like the commondity place psychadelic mix
Steve Parry: Very good set of mixes:original and nazca are great
Xaric: great remix from Nazca!!
Pedro Mercardo: indeed, Paul Nazca Remix is the one!
Tsugi Mag: nice one
Sven Jacobsen: Paul Nazca Mix is the one for me, awesome track.
Philipp Straub: Paul Nazca Remix rocks!!
Tim Benjamin: Great EP, thanks! Nazca remix rocks!
Nuno Dos Santos: Nazca remix is epic!


<hr>
FFR 003: Mr.Flavour:Simbiotica EP ft. Federico Epis &amp; 2Sound remixes

Hernan Cattaneo: very nice my friend!!
Dave Seaman: Mr Epis mix sounds cool
Flash Brothers: Original is very nice &amp; atmospheric
Paul Nazca: mr flavourrmx for me. full support!
Sander Kleinenberg: Thanks! support!
Cid Inc: Epis remix for me!
Abyss: Epis is rock!
Solarstone: Original for me
Dj Taucher: Nice release, thanks!! 
Expander: The 2sound remix sounds cool
Benji Candelario: Great Late night vibe!! Original mix for me!!
The Mystic Force: nice package! original for me
Tocadisco: I m not a big fan of trance / progressive but this is a cool track. Original for me
Alec Troniq: So delicate! good stuff. Federico Epis remix for me
Pedro Mercardo: nice deep melodic sounds!
Sven Jacabsen: awesome work, i love Epis and 2sounds versions
Philipp Straub: Nice melodic tracks! Like the Federico Remix the most!
Matthias Springer: nice soundscapes
Tolis Q: original!!! like like like


<hr>
FFR 001: Mr.Flavour &amp; Manuyell:Clitter EP

John Digweed: Jerome Sydenham Remix is good stuff!
Hernan Cattaneo:Been playing original for ages now its great to have a remix.
Karotte:Sydenham remix is nice. Will try this one.
Bushwacka!:Jerome Sydenham Remix…FAT!!!!!
Nick Warren:Jerome's mix is hot.
Funk D'Void:This is the real shit…refreshing!
Joris Voorn:Sydenham's mix for me!
Terry Francis : Original Mix…like this!
Matthias Vogt: This ep is a winner! The original is one of a kind. Coolness and groove. Then the remixer takes it on a whole new level. And it is not your average beatport-hype remixer, we are talking about the man Jerome s.! He did it again! Will play both versions!
Pete Heller: Prefering the original mix.
Ellen Allien: Jerome Sydenham Remix….will play!!!
Tedd Patterson: Both mixes are nice for completely different reasons. Can't wait to try it out.
Dubfire: Jerome Sydenham Remix is a good one!
Greg (Catz n Dogz): Original for me!! DRACULA HOUSE!
Fergie: Big Jerome mix for me too
Jody Wisternoff: Good stuff, lots of substance. Will play def.
Guy J: Jerome remix for me!!
Behrouz: Jerome mix works for me.
Lele Sacchi: Sydenham gives the dark wee hours spin. I like it. Original is also at the top of the darkhouse game. Supporting.
Stephan Bodzin:Sydenham mix for me!!!
Norman Nodge:Both versions have their own appeal and need to play loud.
Craig Richards: The remix is powerful!!
Gel Abril: After hours music, nice remix from Jerome!
Tom Findlay (Groove Armada): Will play the Sydenham mix, nice and moody!
Danny Howells:Sounds great in both mixes, will play.
Oliver Huntemann: Sydenham remix is a bomb!
Dave Seaman:Remix is solid.
Anderson Noise:Support!!!
Marc Marzenit:Remix for me!!!
Alan Fitzpatrick:Like Jeromes mix a lot.
Pär Grindvik:Sweet one! Jerome's remix for me.
Dosem:Nice flavour.
Andre Galluzzi: Mr. Sydenham´s work for me. thanks!
Technasia:Heavy rotation as always for Sydenham!
Hector Romero:Jerome serves up an afterhours stormer:nice one!
Stuart McMillan (Slam):Mr Sydenham on form as always!
Samuel L Session:Yes! Music for that big big room! Always into Sydenham.
Joseph Capriati: Great remix from Jerome!
Federico Grazzini: Will try Sydenham remix.
Carlo Lio:Jerome .. always amazing! Support.
Rocky (X-Press 2):Nice and simple but very effective. Love the JS mix!
Steve Parry: Sydenham mix is awesome:i love it!
Stefano Fontana: Jerome remix is a well done technotrip….kool!
Tom Novy: Jerome Sydenham Remix…Will play!
Andrew Grant: Jerome Sydenham Remix on it
Ivan Smagghe: Proper big room mix from Jerome Sydenham. Great.
Tassilo: Jerome's Remix!!!
Wally Lopez: Jerome Sydenham Remix…big one…full support!
Sian: Jerome mix is heavy duty!
Misstress Barbara: Nice release. Will be playing the Sydenham mix. full support!
Luca Bacchetti: Sydenham remix is a bomb!

These tunes evoke images of death, dripping faces emerging from swamps; of outlaws shining pistols around campfires in stony, moonless twilights; of swatting flies from fried chicken wings on ma’s porch; of hookers rolling post-carnal cigarettes for slick, brill-creamed, tattooed, leather clad, mama’s boys in hire-by-the-hour motels; of possessed gospel choirs, It’s acid, grit, grime, smoke and smog

From January 2021 we move to www.mixcloud.com/DeepHouseTracks ..stay with us for new podcasts.

James Jake is following