Few artists can equal the behind-the-scenes impact that Martin Buttrich has made on underground dance music. A widely revered producer, writer and engineer, Buttrich has left his sonic mark on seminal tracks with collaborators Loco Dice and Timo Maas, as well as remixes for the likes of Tori Amos (nominated for a Grammy in 2003), Madonna and Muse. He has also built his own name through releases on top shelf labels like Planet E, Cocoon, Desolat and Poker Flat.
The German artist kicked off his #9414 20 Years Tour last month, playing alongside many of the artists he previously made studio magic with. Buttrich checked in with Billboard from the road to provide a retrospective guest playlist of some of his best productions and biggest influences over the past three decades.
Azzido Da Bass, “Dooms Night” (Timo Maas Remix)
“One of the fastest-made tracks in my career. It took us two and a half hours to do this piece and it did pretty well, I’d say. Timo and I were simply on a run at that time and music came easy. The first remix we did was denied by the record company, so it ended up becoming a new Timo Maas single. We ended up doing another remix that is now known as the Timo Mass remix of ‘Dooms Night.'”
Loco Dice, “Seeing Through Shadows” “A record I am just happy to be part of. It was the summer of 2005, Dice and I were having probably the best time you can have in a studio together. He would basically come straight from the DC10 after party to my studio in Hannover. I think this record is one of my best pieces I’ve had my hands on in my career. It was released in 2006 on Richie Hawtin’s label Minus.”
Tori Amos, “Don’t Make Me Come to Vegas” (Timo Maas Breaks Mix)
“I was very surprised when I got the message that we were nominated for a Grammy for our work on the Tori Amos remix. It was already an adventure receiving a call from Tori, giving us the blessing to do this mix. She recorded a few extra ad-libs and vocal lines. In the end we made five different mixes and one of them got nominated for a Grammy.”
Martin Buttrich, “Full Clip” “A record that means a lot to me. My first record on Carl Craig’s Planet E Communications. It gave me a great push for many other productions at this time and it is just an honor to release on the master’s label.”
Carl Craig, “Sandstorms”
“I still get goosebumps when I hear this track. It is one of the most complete electronic instrumentals I know. Not much else to say about this — it does what music should do.”
Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, “The Message”
“This record had a massive impact on me. Not because I was such a cool kid when I was 7 or 8 years old. It was because my brother wouldn’t stop listening to this track. He was all over the rap, graffiti and breakdance scene. I still get pulled back to the ’80s and my childhood when I hear this song.”
Beastie Boys, Paul’s Boutique
“Big part of my teenage years. We hammered our ears all day with that stuff. Of course I was listening already to License to Ill but this album hit me like nothing else.”
Deep Dish, “Penetrate Deeper”
Deep Dish – Penetrate Deeper by Atmosferix on Mixcloud
“It’s not a song – it’s a compilation. The feeling of the audio and the music changed my idea of how a beat or a track can sound.”
Daft Punk, “Da Funk”
“I will never forget the moment when I heard “Da Funk” for the first time. It changed a lot for me. It just was the best of all worlds of music that I liked. It has hip-hop, punk, acid and funk combined in one track.”
Choice, “Acid Eiffel”
“For me, one of the most beautiful tracks for the early ’90s. It still feels good to listen to the track after all these years.”