Torsten Stenzel

Carrying a rep as one of the world’s top trance producers, Torsten Stenzel is probably best-known for his efforts as one half of the duo York. Hailing from Germany, he grew up on classical music and was a skilled piano and organ player from an early age. But when the dance music scene exploded across Europe during the early ’90s, the young Stenzel couldn’t help but get involved. And his work has regularly graced dance charts all over the continent ever since. One of his favorite partners in trance has been Taucher (or Ralph Armand Beck), an eccentric German DJ known for doing all sorts of wacky stuff during shows, such as dressing up as a scuba diver. They have released a plethora of work together — mostly as Taucher, but also as Diver & Ace — including the popular compilation album Life Is a Remix (1999). Stenzel has also remixed and/or produced for, amongst others, Moby, DJ Sakin, Faithless, Ayla, Kai Tracid, and Vanessa Mae. And, of course, Stenzel has also been busy working alongside his own brother, Jorg, under the guise of York. Ever since releasing their first single, “Awakening,” in 1998, they have caused massive waves all over Europe — and, in particular, the U.K. — with their delectable brand of trance house. ~ David Peter Wesolowski