Torsten Stenzel

Torsten Stenzel is a German music producer, composer and Honorary Consulate of Germany.

Classically trained from an early age his roots are within the field of Electronic Dance Music.

His interest for music first started at age five when he received piano lessons by academic piano teacher Andre Terebesi.

He is the father of multi-platnium international recording artist Au/Ra.

Age 13, Stenzel changed to church organ and received his church organist diploma age 15.

Graduating from the Protestant church in Frankfurt.

In 1990, he released his first single "Recall IV – Contrast" through Zyx Records.

His partners failed to credit him as a writer/co-producer and because of his lack of knowledge of the music industry, only "mixed by Torsten Stenzel" appeared on the credits.

In 1992 Stenzel became A & R-Manager for the underground record label "Crash Records".

It was his first job in the recording business and together with his partner at that time – Zied Jouini – he became responsible for the label.

Their first release N.U.K.E – Nana went straight to No. 1 in Italy and No. 3 in Benelux.

In 1993 Stenzel started his collaboration with DJ Taucher, who had weekly shows at the Music Hall in Frankfurt.

The first release by the duo was the single Happiness.

The second single Atlantis (1993: Planet Love Records) is still today considered a classic track within the EDM scene.

In 1993, Stenzel founded his first own underground label 'Liquid Records'.

He now had the freedom to release whatever he choose and, unbeknownst to him at the time, it proved a wise decision.

Together with fellow German, producer Oliver Lieb, he started the project 'Paragliders'.

During this period he kept working with renowned electronic artists such as Booka Shade, Dj Tatana, DJ Taucher, Talla 2XLC and DJ Sakin.

Stenzel released over 40 Vinyl-singles through Liquid Records.

In 1995, Stenzel bought the rights to 'Planet Love Records' in which he afore had been the A & R-Manager.

He was now focused on developing his trance sounds together with compatriot Ralph-Armand Beck (aka. DJ Taucher).

Their single 'Fantasy' was licensed to Sony Dancepool, and, surprisingly, it reached a top 50 position in the German media control charts.

The third single 'Infinity' reached a top 50 position in Germany as well.

Until 1997 the duo remixed over 52 artists and were named the 'worldwide third best remixers' by readers of the magazine Raveline.

Stenzel and Taucher reworked tracks by amongst others Faithless – 'God is a DJ', which in several countries reached a number 1 position in the charts.

The Stenzel-Taucher productions were also licensed by famed British producer and Dj Paul Oakenfold for some of his compilations.

Furthermore, the duo also released productions under their alias' 'Red Light District' and 'Diver & Ace'.

In 1998, Stenzel released the track 'Protect Your Mind' together with producer Sakin Bozkurt (DJ Sakin).

It was the first single under the new project 'Sakin & Friends' and it was released through 'Planet Love Records'.

They had produced a club version based on the film music by composer James Horner.

Through 4 months several European Dj's played the track frequently and it quickly became a clubhit.

In 1999 Stenzel licensed the track to the underground label 'Overdose' and produced a remix – (Suspicious Remix).

Shortly after a single with the new remix was released it entered the German charts without a music video or further promotion.

It became a fast selling item and after only one week it rose in the German music sales charts onto a number 3 position.

In the German Dance Charts it hit a number 1 position, and additionally received Silver, Gold and Platin records in several European countries.

It also reached number 4 in the UK charts in March 1999.

Today more than 700.000 copies of 'Protect Your Mind' have been sold and the track is considered to be one of the most popular trance productions ever released!

The second single from the duo – 'Nomansland' featured the melody of an old TV show that Stenzel loved as a child (The Adventures of David Belfort).

'Nomansland' reached a 10th position in Germany and 16th position in the United Kingdom.

It was difficult to continue the achievements of Sakin & Friends after the runaway success of 'Protect Your Mind', but even their debut album 'Walk on Fire' charted successfully.