Biography

The story of the producer-team Levitation starts as early as 1992, a time that has Atari- and Commodore-computers dominating the world of music and graphical work. The three producers, Ingmar Hansch from Cologne and Marcell Meyer and Chris Gilcher from Munich, meet at a party in Belgium via the production of computer-animated graphics and sounds. Although they are influenced by different music tastes, they share a common knack for the German techno-boom of the early days.

Under the pseudonym “Orange 8”, they release their first 12″ EP at the Frankfurt-based label 23 Records, just a short while after their meeting. In the three consecutive years, the trio is busy recording tracks that are characterized by airy and liquid elements. This collection of faster Trance pieces and slowed-down Hip Hop grooves are given to the world in 1996, when the first full-length album is put out. Influenced by Ingmar’s job at Logic Records Frankfurt, the sound of the long-player has the stamp of his collaboration with Marc Spoon (Jam and Spoon) and of the contact with British acts, such as Underworld and Leftfield.

The jump from Germany to Ibiza happens parallel to the publication by the Ibiza-based record-label OMM (Open Mind Music), Ingmar works for- there could not have been a better moment in time, since the Chill Out Music gained world-wide reputation via the release of the first Café Del Mar-compilation. With Volumen Cuatro of the very popular compilation-series, Levitation has the exposure that leads to a wider recognition. The featuring of “Out Of Time” on its track-list in 1997 led to the use of the instrumental for the campaign “D2 turns into Vodafone” in 2002.

„More Than Ever People“ feat. Cathy Battistessa, released with Café Del Mar Volumen Cinco, is the big breakthrough only one year later. DJ and compiler José Padilla plays the tune every evening at sundown, until he resigns from the Café del Mar. This heavy support makes it a true anthem. In the following years, „More Than Ever People“ will be featured in many commercial ads, TV-series and documentaries, thus it becomes Levitation’s signature–song.

1999 is another year for Levitation to deliver a strong contribution for Café Del Mar Volumen Seis. “Oh Home” is a cooperation of Spanish guitarist Paco Fernandez and again Cathy Battistessa.
At the beginning of 2000/2001, the project takes a time-off in favour of other collaborations, for example “JF Sebastian” with DJ Pippi (resident DJ at Pacha/Ibiza), or “Jelly & Fish”, a side-project of Marcell and Chris, which is featured on Café Del Mar Volumen Cinco with “Appreciation”.

Hannover’s finest House label “Peppermint Jam”, run by Mousse T., drops a vinyl-remix-package of “More Than Ever People”, starring remixes of Can7 and Sounds Of Life.
2003 sees a co-production with world-famous classical- and jazz-piano player Friedrich Gulda on Open Mind Music and Gulda’s very own label Paradise Productions. The Piano-tracks he recorded the preceding year of his death, are the basis for the title “Years Passing By” of DJ Pippi, Friedrich Gulda and Levitation.

Due to José Padilla’s retirement from the Café Del Mar, he releases the single “Adios Ayer”. Levitation honors the man who has given so much support to the producers by remixing the tune.
In the consecutive years, some of those tracks are recorded, that will eventually comprise the album “Essential Levitation” in 2012. Ingmar, who has been living and working on the musical island from the end of the nineties, teams up with the internationally acclaimed singer Mocci Ryen (e.g. background singer of Patti Labelle) and produces some vocal tracks. There are also sessions with the Danish singer Anne K, who has already had two top ten singles in the international charts. Having her as a singer, Ingmar releases another studio-album under the name of “Playgarden”. Levitation delivers a Remix for this project too.

After a long pause of creativity, in which all committed producers pursue their own projects, Chris and Marcell are founding their own record label “Whirlpool Records” in 2011. They win Anusch Mehdizadeh (VIRGIN, EMI, Deluxe Music) for the position of label manager and are going to pick up their common work again in order to push the productions of Levitation and other projects.

At the moment, the team is busy to plan „Essential Levitation – 20 years of Ibiza Chillout Music” for release in February 2012 – an anthology of 20 productions – some, which have been crafted over the past 20 years and others, which have been recorded especially for the album over the last three years. By releasing a 3-CD-set, they want to set sails for the new start of a projects that has been pausing for some years and is now taking-off again.

At the time of the publication of “Essential Levitation”, the producer team will go on air at Klassik Radio. From 2012 onwards, Levitation will host and spin the records for the highly successful radio format “Klassik Lounge”. There will be gigs and stage appearances too…