York

Specializing in trance with an organic twist, York has proved to be one of the standout acts on the burgeoning German dance scene. The project is a collaboration between two brothers, Jörg and Torsten Stenzel, whom you may know as accomplished artists in their own right. Torsten was initially taken by classical music, but moved into dance during the early '90s and has since become one of the most prolific trance producers in Europe. Apart from York, his other main gig has been working alongside Ralph Armand Beck on the Taucher and Diver & Ace projects; but he has also remixed and/or produced for such names as Moby, DJ Sakin, Faithless, Ayla, Kai Tracid, and Vanessa-Mae. Jörg, on the other hand, grew up with an interest in string instruments before shifting his attention to trance and house. He has also stacked up an impressive list of credits to his name, working alongside Beck as well as DJ Sakin & Friends and DJ Tandu. His guitar work for York has received much praise over the years and is often cited as one of the main factors behind the duo's considerable success. York's aural assault on the club scene began in 1998 with the melodic trance single "Awakening." The track became a massive chart success the world over, including in the U.K. and on the famous party island of Ibiza, where German DJ/producers had become all the rage. In 1999, the brothers Stenzel chose to put out a cover of the old Chris Rea tune "On the Beach." The move proved a shrewd one, with the track making it into the Top Five on the U.K. singles chart. That same year, York was featured on Andre Tanneberger's (also known as ATB) popular trance number "Fields of Love." York's next foray into dreamy trance was the single "Farewell to the Moon." A hit throughout Europe, it featured the vocals of Pat Appleton. ~ David Peter Wesolowski, Rovi