MFS – Masterminded For Success
Founded in 1990, MFS (Masterminded For Success) became East Germany’s first independent electronic music label, launching influential artists like Paul van Dyk, Mijk van Dijk, Effective Force, and Cosmic Baby. Known for pioneering the trance genre, MFS released the first-ever trance compilation, Tranceformed From Beyond, in 1992. Trance was a key part of Berlin’s rave scene in the early ’90s, and MFS provided a platform for many artists’ most creative periods. The label’s releases also stood out visually, with iconic sleeve designs by Marc Schilkowski that became symbols of the era’s electronic sound.
All records listed are available to purchase from our store now.
Cosmic Baby – 23 (12″) 1992
Highlight track: Oh Supergirl
A sample of the iconic Laurie Anderson song, now a bit less moody.
Alien Nation – Lovers of the World (12″) 1991
Highlight track: Lovers of the World (Revolutionized)
An important foundation for the label’s sound and philosophy.
Ellen Allien / Cybersecrecy – Club European Vol. 5 (10″) 1995
Highlight track: Cybersecrecy – Yugoslavian Being
Hidden early progressive trance gem
Paul van Dyk – Emergency (The Remixes) (12″) 1995
Highlight track: Emergency 911
Before he blossomed into an international trance DJ star and started his own label, Deviant, MFS released many creative EPs like this one.
Jay Ray – Activated (12″) 1995
Highlight track: Activated (Vocalized)
Old school deep and driving
Jay Ray – Daylight (12″) 1996
Highlight track: Daylight
Dreamy
Microglobe – Think & Dance EP Vol. 1 (12″) 1994
Highlight track: Environ-Mentality (Act 2)
A soft trance-techno track nestled among his more energetic songs.
Boom Operators feat. The Boom & Voov – LSA (12″) 1992
Highlight track: The Block
The missing link between 80s EBM and 90s trance.
Ellen Allien – Yellow Sky (12″) 1995
Highlight track: It’s Time
A timeless piece from the famous veteran Berlin DJ. She is still rocking in the yellow sky. As many of her records from that time done with her co-partner Jay Ray.
Effective Force – Complete Mental Breakdown (12″) 1991
Highlight track: Complete Mental Breakdown (Relapse Remix)
Sounds like a haunting psychosis from your inner mind. We love it.
Very good sound image for its time and a peak of whats to come.
Microglobe – Afreuropamericasiaustralica – The Album (2LP) 1994
Highlight track: The Gap
Another joyful journey from Mijk, though one of his darker songs on
the album Credited vocals on all tracks, yet still a technotrance
album.
Secret Knowledge – Sugar Daddy (Remixes) (12″) 1993
Highlight track: Sugar Daddy (Trip Across The Moon Remix)
Nothing beats the original, but this version is also sweet. Another successful collaboration between Johnny Klimek and Paul van Dyk.
Cybersecrecy – The First Experience (12″) 1995
Highlight track: Into the Darkness
Cool mysterious feeling. Sparse production that creates a very effective result.
Paul van Dyk – Pump This Party / Pumpin’ (12″) 1994
Highlight track: Today…
Another take on the beautiful track from the seminal Trance Europe Express² compilation. Watch the crowd as the strings float in.
Paul van Dyk – Forbidden Fruit (12″) 1997
Highlight track: Forbidden Fruit (Fruit Of Love Mix)
Trademark melancholic chords from PvD and Johnny Klimek. One of their
last great tracks before PvD went solo.
Effective Force – Diamond Bullet (12″) 91
Highlight track: Diamond Bullet (Act 1 – Will To Power)
The unofficial movie soundtrack from the favourite classic Apocalypse Now
Featuring several speach samples along wth the sinister monologue from
Marlon Brando