Dance imprint !K7 is currently taking a much deserved victory lap. Known for its trusted DJ-Kicks DJ mix series and steady stream of solid artist albums released since 1985, the label, which is headquartered in Berlin, is celebrating its 27th year with a limited 27!K7 Exclusives box set which includes all 27!K7 tracks on 10″ vinyl, two slip mats, limited print poster, USB loaded with all 41 DJ-Kicks releases. There’s also a microsite brimming with exclusive video interviews with artists who’ve worked with the label over the years.
With the indie label in retrospective mode at the moment, we asked !K7 label founder Horst Weidenmueller (pictured below) to select 27 of his favorite releases from his imprint’s vast catalog and offer only one adjective per entry. It wasn’t an easy task, but Weidenmueller rose to the occasion.
Horst Weidenmueller’s Top 27 !K7 Releases
1. Matthew Herbert, Bodily Functions: Human
2. Kruder & Dorfmeister, K&D Sessions: Iconic
3. Funkstörung, Appetite For Discstruction: Smashing
4. Carl Craig, Sessions: Definitive
5. Erelend Øye, DJ-Kicks: Creative
6. Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble, Mr. Machine: Brave
7. Kevin Saunderson, X-Mix: Masterful
8. Apparat, DJ-Kicks: Fluid
9. Quiet Village: Breezy
10. Daddy G, DJ Kicks: Effortless
11. Nightmares On Wax, DJ-Kicks: Funky
12. When Saints Go Machine, Konkylie: Gorgeous
13. Laurent Garnier, X-Mix: Flawless
14. Motor City Drum Ensemble, DJ-Kicks: Adventurous
15. Stateless, Stateless: Swirling
16. Hot Chip, DJ-Kicks: Playful
17. Stereo MCs, DJ-Kicks: Old School
18. Henrik Schwarz, DJ-Kicks: Jazzy
19. Swayzak, Dirty Dancing: Deep
20. Four Tet, DJ-Kicks: Kaliedoscopic
21. Ursula Rucker, Ma’at Mama: Uncompromising
22. Playgroup, DJ-Kicks: Crafted
23. Einsturzende Neubauten, Live Recording: Bold
24. Photek, DJ-Kicks: Reflective
25. Mudhoney, Live In Berlin 1988: Full Circle
26. Bomb The Bass, Future Chaos: Lush
27. Tosca, Suzuki: Hypnotic
Below watch a video recap from 27th anniversary party in Berlin in September featuring performance footage of When Saints Go Machine, Hercules and Love Affair, Will Saul Artist Page and Brandt Brauer Frick.