MFS (label)

1990s, MFS - Masterminded For Success

In December 1990 after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the ex-Amiga aka Deutschen Schallplatten Berlin (DSB) followed Mark Reeder's suggestion in founding a electronic music record label "Masterminded For Success" as he built good relationships with DSB who he has been officially working for in East Berlin producing an album for Die Vision, while the Berlin Wall was still secure. The name "MFS" was actually taken from the initials of Ministry for State Security(German: Ministerium für Staatssicherheit, MfS), commonly known as the Stasi in East Germany. The label was run by Mirko Withfield and Mark Reeder, Torsten Jurk and Matt Graver, who shortly after left the label to become the manager of Atari Teenage Riot. After the collapse of Deutsche Schallplatten and the sale to BMG, Mark Reeder and Torsten Jurk secured a bank loan and bought back the rights on the label name and catalogue.

The first artist to be signed on the label was Rocky, followed by VOOV, Paul Browse, and Johnny Klimek known as "Effective Force" and Gaby Delgado from DAF and Saba Komossa's "2 German Latinos", and "Neutron 9000". MFS soon started to gain a "trance" profile and in early 1991 soon signed Mijk van Dijk, Cosmic Baby, Humate and Paul van Dyk. Reeder's vision to create a melodic, uplifting and positive sounding version of Techno was eventually to be realised by Cosmic Baby. One of the most known projects under MFS was, "The Visions of Shiva", a collaboration by Cosmic Baby (Harald Blüchel) & Paul van Dyk. Together they released, "Perfect Day" & "How Much Can You Take?" before going their separate ways in 1993. Another one of MFS more well-known releases was "Love Stimulation" by Humate in 1993, along with a remix by Paul van Dyk.

Taken from the previous years releases, MFS released the first ever Trance compilation in 1992 called, Tranceformed From Beyond which became a milestone and set the standard for others to come. The album was sequenced and mixed by Cosmic Baby & Mijk van Dijk. A year later, MFS asked Paul van Dyk to make a mix for their second compilation album, a soundtrack for an early computer graphic video which they called "X-Mix 1 - The MFS Trip" this was a collaboration with the video label K7!.

Some of the more well-known albums from MFS were, "Stellar Supreme"(1992), "Ki"(1993) by 030/Dr Motte, "Afreuropamericasiaustralica"(1994) by Mijk van Dijk and Paul van Dyk's "45 RPM"(1994) and "Seven Ways"(1996) albums. Both PVD & Cosmic Baby became MFS main artists, but in 1994 Cosmic Baby left the label, allured by promises of stardom from the major record company BMG.

Mark Reeder started signing more underground artists and tracks, while Torsten Jurk focused on Paul van Dyk artist development and implementing a booking agency and publishing into the label work. During the mid-late 1990s, Paul van Dyk would later become a huge commercial success for MFS. He released his first two albums and stayed with MFS up until 1997, when Mark Reeder and Torsten Jurk parted away.

Mark Reeder who continued the label later faced a lawsuit with Paul van Dyk over his third studio album, which turned out to be "Out There and Back" which was eventually released on Deviant Records UK.

Discography:

catalogue # format artist medium title7001-0 12" Rocky One Take You Back7001-3 CD-M Rocky One Take You Back7002-0 12" VOOV User7002-3 CD-M VOOV User7003-0 12" Effective Force Diamond Bullet7003-3 CD-M Effective Force Diamond Bullet7004-0 12" Gundi B Yeah!7004-3 CD-M Gundi B Yeah!7005-0 12" General Motor I'm gonna give you my Love7005-3 CD-M General Motor I'm gonna give you my Love7006-0 12" 2 German Latinos Viva la Droga Electronica 7006-3 CD-M 2 German Latinos Viva la Droga Electronica 7007-0 12" Alien Nation Lovers of the World7007-0R 12" Alien Nation Lovers of the World Remix7007-3 CD-M Alien Nation Lovers of the World 7008-0 12" True Love Breath of Stars7008-3 CD-M True Love Breath of Stars7009-0 12" Frisco Sisco Fast Forward7009-3 CD-M Frisco Sisco Fast Forward7010-0 12" Neutron 9000 Ki Oha Girl7010-3 CD-M Neutron 9000 Ki Oha Girl7011-0 12" Effective Force Complete Mental Breakdown7011-3 CD-M Effective Force Complete Mental Breakdown7012-0 12" Sungods Ascension7012-3 CD-M Sungods Ascension7013-3 CD-M Delkom All from Anti-time7014-0 12" Cosmic Baby Transcendental Overdrive EP7014-3 CD-M Cosmic Baby Transcendental Overdrive EP7015-0 12" Neutron 9000 vs The Mysteries of Science Tranceplant7015-3 CD-M Neutron 9000 vs The Mysteries of Science Tranceplant7016-0 12" VOOV GAS7016-3 CD-M VOOV GAS7017-0 12" Futurhythm Sonic Mind Explosion7018-0 12" Mindgear Don't Panic7018-3 CD-M Mindgear Don't Panic7019-0 12" Microglobe High on Hope7019-3 CD-M Microglobe High on Hope7020-0 12" Cosmic Baby GTO Remixes Cosmic Babies7021-1 LP MFS Compilation Tranceformed From Beyond7021-2 CD MFS Compilation Tranceformed From Beyond7022-0 12" The Visions of Shiva Perfect Day7022-3 CD-M The Visions of Shiva Perfect Day7023-1 12"EP Cosmic Baby 237023-2 CD-EP Cosmic Baby 237024-0 12" God's Brain Virtual Love7024-3 CD-M God's Brain Virtual Love7025-1 12"EP Microglobe High on Hope (The Summer Remixes)7025-2 CD-EP Microglobe High on Hope (The Summer Remixes)7026-1 12"EP United Frequencies of Trance Vol. 17026-2 CD-EP United Frequencies of Trance Vol. 17027-1 12"EP United Frequencies of Trance Vol. 27027-2 CD-EP United Frequencies of Trance Vol. 27028-0 12" Volumina Alright7028-3 CD-M Volumina Alright7029-0 12" Humate Chrome (So what!)7029-3 CD-M Humate Chrome (So what!)7030-1 LP The Nights of Pan Into The Great White Light7030-2 CD The Nights of Pan Into The Great White Light7031-1 12"EP United Frequencies of Vol. 37031-2 CD-EP United Frequencies of Vol. 37032-1 12"EP United Frequencies of Vol. 47032-2 CD-EP United Frequencies of Vol. 47033-1 LP Cosmic Baby Stellar Supreme7033-2 CD Cosmic Baby Stellar Supreme7034-0 12" Humate Love Stimulation7034-3 CD-M Humate Love Stimulation7035-2 CD VOOV Deutschfieber7036-0 12" Boom Operators LSA7036-3 CD-M Boom Operators LSA7037-0 12" Loopzone Home Is Where The ...7037-3 CD-M Loopzone Home Is Where The ...7038-1 LP Effective Force Illuminate The Planet7038-2 CD Effective Force Illuminate The Planet7040-1 12"EP Malaria Delirium7040-2 CD Malaria Delirium7041-0 12" Cosmic Baby Heavens Tears7041-3 CD-M Cosmic Baby Heavens Tears7042-0 12" The Visions Of Shiva How Much Can You Take7042-3 CD-M The Visions Of Shiva How Much Can You Take7043-0 12" Loopzone 4047043-3 CD-M Loopzone 4047044-0 12" Effective Force Illuminate The Planet7044-3 CD-M Effective Force Illuminate The Planet7045-1 LP Various MFS Artists X-Mix 1 The MFS-Trip7045-2 CD Various MFS Artists X-Mix 1 The MFS-Trip7045-4 Cass Various MFS Artists X-Mix 1 The MFS-Trip7046-1 LP 030 feat. Dr. Motte Ki7046-2 CD 030 feat. Dr. Motte Ki7047-0 12" Secret Knowledge Sugar Daddy7048-0 12" Secret Knowledge Sugar Daddy Remix7048-3 CD-M Secret Knowledge Sugar Daddy Remix7049-0 12" Sarin International Kontrol7050-0 12" Microglobe Think & Dance EP-Vol.17050-3 CD-M Microglobe Think & Dance EP-Vol. 17051-0 12" Cal-Q-Lator Dr. Bradford7051-3 CD-M Cal-Q-Lator Dr. Bradford7052-0 12" Paul van Dyk The Green Valley E.P.7052-3 CD-M Paul van Dyk The Green Valley E.P.7053-0 12" Mystic Force vs. Effective Force Everglade7053-3 CD-M Mystic Force vs. Effective Force Everglade7054-0 12" Positive Thinking Infinite7054-3 CD-M Positive Thinking Infinite7055-1 Do-LP Microglobe Afreuropamericasiaustralica7055-2 CD Microglobe Afreuropamericasiaustralica7056-0 12" Paul van Dyk Pumpin'7056-3 CD-M Paul van Dyk Pumpin'7057-0 12" Microglobe Think & Dance EP-Vol. 27057-3 CD-M Microglobe Think & Dance EP-Vol. 27058-0 12" Project Earth Tak Ze7058-3 CD-M Project Earth Tak Ze7059-0 12" VOOV Extra Power & Enjoyment7059-3 CD-M VOOV Extra Power & Enjoyment7060-0 12" Mystic Force Psychic Harmony7060-3 CD-M Mystic Force Psychic Harmony7062-0 12" Paul van Dyk Emergency7062-3 CD-M Paul van Dyk Emergency7063-0 12" Commander Krilly Deep7063-3 CD-M Commander Krilly Deep7064-0 12" Joe T. Vanelli feat. Csilla Voices In Harmony7064-3 CD-M Joe T. Vanelli feat. Csilla Voices In Harmony7065-0 12" Effective Force My Time Is Yours7065-3 CD-M Effective Force My Time Is Yours7066-1 Do-LP Paul van Dyk 45 RPM7066-2 CD Paul van Dyk 45 RPM7067-0 12" Positive Thinking Hots For You7067-3 CD-M Positive Thinking Hots For You7068-0 12" VOOV Grau 17068-3 CD-M VOOV Grau 17069-1 Do-LP Mystic Force Frontier7069-2 CD Mystic Force Frontier7071-0 12" Cal-Q-Lator Wash Malfunction7071-3 CD-M Cal-Q-Lator Wash Malfunction7072-0 12" Microglobe The Afreuroparemixes Vol. 1-A Different View7073-0 12" Jay Ray Activated7073-3 CD-M Jay Ray Activated7074-0 12" Ellen Allien Yellow Sky 7074-3 CD-M Ellen Allien Yellow Sky 7075-0 12" DFM You Like That?7075-3 CD-M DFM You Like That?7076-0 12" Positive Thinking The Temple And The Lodge7076-3 CD-M Positive Thinking The Temple And The Lodge7077-0 12" Effective Force Left Hand, Right Hand7077-3 CD-M Effective Force Left Hand, Right Hand7078-0 12" Microglobe Afreuroparemixes Vol. 27079-2 CD Microglobe Afreuroparemixes7080-2 CD Various MFS Artists Club European (Compilation)7080-4 Cass Various MFS Artists Club European7081-0 12" Marco Zaffarano Pandora's Box7081-3 CD-M Marco Zaffarano Pandora's Box7082-1 Do-LP Effective Force Back and to the Left7082-2 CD Effective Force Back and to the Left7083-0 12" Commander Krilly Raptures Of The Deep7083-3 CD-M Commander Krilly Raptures Of The Deep7084-0 12" Denki Groove (Takkyu Ishino) Niji - The MFS Remixes7084-3 CD-M Denki Groove (Takkyu Ishino) Niji - The MFS Remixes7085-0 12" Jay Ray Nightvisions7085-3 CD-M Jay Ray Nightvisions7086-0 12" Cybersecrecy The First Experience7086-3 CD-M Cybersecrecy The First Experience7087-0 12" Paul van Dyk Beautiful Place7087-3 CD-M Paul van Dyk Beautiful Place7088-1 Do-LP Paul van Dyk Seven Ways7088-2 CD Paul van Dyk Seven Ways7089-0 12" Cybersecrecy Infinite Senses7089-3 CD-M Cybersecrecy Infinite Senses7090-0 12" Tenth Chapter Wired7090-3 CD-M Tenth Chapter Wired7091-1 Do-LP Cal-Q-Lator Cal-Pillin7091-2 CD Cal-Q-Lator Cal-Pillin7092-0 12" Current Tide / Plankton7092-3 CD-M Current Tide / Plankton7093-0 12" Cle presents Klubland??? Klub Berlin7093-3 CD-M Cle presents Klubland Klub Berlin7094-0 12" JonZon TBA7094-3 CD-M JonZon TBA7095-0 12" DFM Gonna Be Mine7095-3 CD-M DFM Gonna Be Mine7096-0 12" Marco Zaffarano Clown Confusion7096-3 CD-M Marco Zaffarano Clown Confusion7097-2 CD Marco Zaffarano He was once a beautiful woman7098-0 12" Denki Groove Niji - Twilight Remixes7098-3 CD-M Denki Groove Niji - Twilight Remixes7099-0 12" Ten Forward Patterns Of Force7099-3 CD-M Ten Forward Patterns Of Force7100-1 Do-LP Various MFS Artists The 100 Compilation7100-2 CD Various MFS Artists The 100 Compilation7101-0 12" Cal-Q-Lator Can We Go Now ?7102-0 12" Drop Out Image7103-1 Do-LP Jay Ray November7103-2 CD Jay Ray November7104-2 CD Sub-D Exaspirin7105-0 12" Jay Ray Daylight7105-3 CD-M Jay Ray Daylight7106-0 12" Paul van Dyk Forbidden Fruit7106-3 CD-M Paul van Dyk Forbidden Fruit - Part 17109-0 12" Angelo Funkdamental7110-0 12" Sunday Club Healing Dream7111-0 12" Lucky Monkeys Bjango7112-2 CD Various Artists Assorted7113-0 12" Joshua Soul Fly7114-0 12" Marco Zaffarano The Band7114-3 CD-M Marco Zaffarano The Band7115-0 12" Paul van Dyk Words Part I7115-3 CD-M Paul van Dyk Words Part I7116-2 Do-CD Paul van Dyk Perspective7117-0 12" Jay Ray Arctic Survival Remixes7117-3 CD-M Jay Ray Arctic Survival Remixes7118-2 CD Assorted 2 E for Europe7118-7 MD Assorted 2 E for Europe7119-0 12" Cybersecrecy Polygraph7120-1 Do-LP Cybersecrecy Cyberwelt7120-2 CD Cybersecrecy Cyberwelt7122-6 12" Chris Zippel Riders of the Storm7125-6 12" Cybersecrecy E for Europe7126-1 Do-LP Marco Zaffarano Minimalism7126-2 Do-CD Marco Zaffarano Minimalism7127-0 12" Marco Zaffarano Screamer7128-0 12" Ashtrax Kafka7129-0 12" Curve Chinese Burn7130-6 12" Marco Zaffarano Burnt7132-6 12" Arrakis Aira Force7133-6 12" Corvin Dalek Pounds&Penz7134-6 12" Namito Lotus7135-6 12" Marmion Best Regards7137-0 12" Jay Ray Sure Shot7138-6 12" Blue Amazon No other Love7140-6 12" Cabala Dark Blue7141-1 Do-LP Ohm Square Ohmophonica7141-2 CD Ohm Square Ohmophonica7142-0 12" Ohm Square Pillow7142-3 CD-M Ohm Square Pillow7144-6 12" Jonny Riko Starship Trooper7146-6 12" Denki Groove Niji Rainbow Rmx7147-6 12" Dillinger & Capone Stendahl Syndrome7150-2 CD Assorted 3 Stadtansichten9050-0 12" Microglobe Think & Dance EP-Vol.19052-0 12" Paul van Dyk The Green Valley E.P.9066-1 10" Paul van Dyk 45 Remixes Per Miunute9066-2 Do-CD Paul van Dyk 45 RPM9069-2 Do-CD Mystic Force Frontier9082-2 Do-CD Effective Force Back and to the Left9088-2 Do-CD Paul van Dyk Seven Ways9103-2 Do-CD Jay Ray November9106-3 CD-M Paul van Dyk Forbidden Fruit - Part 29114-0 12" Marco Zaffarano The Band UK Import9115-0 12" Paul van Dyk Words Part II9115-3 CD-M Paul van Dyk Words Part II9180-0 10" Mijk van Dijk / Positive Thinking European Compilation9280-0 10" Paul van Dyk / Cal-Q-Lator European Compilation9380-0 10" Mystic Force / Effective Force / Project Earth European Compilation9480-0 10" Marco Zaffarano / Jay Ray European Compilation9580-0 10" Ellen Allien / Cybersecrecy European Compilation9680-0 10" Commander Krilly / VOOV European Compilation1001-9 Poster MFS Wir sind zurück1002-9 Poster Cosmic Baby Stellar Surpreme1003-9 Poster Microglobe Afreuropamericasia1004-9 Poster Paul van Dyk Seven Ways1005-9 Poster Jay Ray November1006-9 Poster Marco Zaffarano He was once a beautiful woman1007-9 Poster MFS European Tour2094-3 CD-M Paul van Dyk For an Angel2400-0 12" Humate Love Stimulation2400-3 CD-M Humate Love Stimulation33DJ 4x12" Paul van Dyk Vorsprung Dyk Technik33TCD 3CD Paul van Dyk Vorsprung Dyk Technik

Discontinuation

After 1999, the dance scene was starting shift into a new direction, most importantly trance was as well.

MFS later had trouble releasing other kinds of records other than trance and because of the change and rise of many trance labels at the end of the 20th century. Reeder decided he wanted to distance himself from trance and focus more on other genres, mainly techno and a new deeper, sexier sound he had devised and created with Corvin Dalek, which he called Wet & Hard. In 1999, MFS created two sub-labels called, "Flesh" and "Telemetric". The focus on the "Flesh" label was Wet & Hard and "Telemetric" was mainly techno, including some deeper trance releases.

The "Telemetric" label was very short lived (after the suspicious murder of the labels A&R Carlos Heinz in late 2001) and therefore never reached commercial success.

Label "Flesh" however, went on to release some great and highly controversial tracks by artists like Corvin Dalek (who Reeder worked together on many remixes with for artists such as New Order, Destiny's Child, Da Hool, or Faithless), "Mr Sam", "Eiven Major", "Klang" and "Jan Kessler". "Flesh" records are rare and most sought after these days and are easily recognised through their distinctive "HotKunst" (hot art) artwork style which Reeder and Dalek created and which frequently caused controversy, one CD "Assorted Lovetoys was even banned in Switzerland.

The "Flesh" label released some classic club tracks, such as "Young People", "Pounds & Penz", "Pornoground", "Crystal" or "I Like It 69", culminating in a series of "Flesh" Wet&Hard compilations ("Wet&Hard", "Flesh For Fantasy" or "Feel") and Corvin Dalek's album "I Am A Dalek". With this album, Mark travelled the world together with Corvin Dalek, from Colombia to China, USA, Mexico and UK and almost everywhere in between.

Sadly, due to the demise of many of the main European vinyl distributors, record label owner Reeder decided to put MFS and his sub-labels on ice and ceased all label activity in 2008. He wanted to return to making and producing electronic-rock music again.