In 2014 Cécille Records closed for business after six incredible years, during which time it helped stimulate a seismic shift in the underground scene and made global stars of its core artists. Now the cult label is set to return. In a time dominated by the heavier end of the techno spectrum, Cécille’s focus on rhythm, groove and melody provides a much-needed counterpoint to the oppressive sounds so prevalent on today’s dance floors. 

 

Launched by Nick Curly and Marc Scholl in 2008, Cécille embodied what the media eventually coined as the ‘Mannheim Sound’. Alongside labels like Oslo and 8Bit, the outlet pushed new artists and a style of techno and house music that favoured warmth, depth, movement and flow over the minimal techno that saturated the underground back in the mid to late 2000s. While the minimal sound reduced techno to its bare essentials, Cécille brought soul and sensuality back to the music. 

 

The trailblazing label captivated DJs and dancers across the world and became an overnight success. 

Cécille’s focus on lesser-known artists established the label as an incubator that nurtured new talent and injected the scene with fresh energy and new sounds. Artists such as Ilario Alicante, Robert Dietz, Markus Fix, SiS and Johnny D helped to cultivate a unique sound that set Cécille apart from many of the other labels that were around at the time. From its very first release ‘El Comienzo’, by Markus Fix, Cécille made a huge impact. Nick Curly, SiS, Markus, Robert Dietz, Anthea & Alex Celler and Johnny D. became international stars, with the Mannheim crews gracing the cover of the legendary Groove Magazine in late 2008 and picking up widespread support from across the scene, as the acts behind the sound grabbed the pick of the international club and festival shows.

 

In its first year alone Cécille was voted 9th best label in Resident Advisor’s highly-coveted annual poll. Influential German magazine Groove awarded them with Track of the Year for ‘Nesrib’ by SiS, which also reached the 9th position in RA’s Tracks of the Year. They also picked up WMC Track of the Season for ‘Vertical Smile’ by Andomat 3000 and German electronic music platform named ‘Nesrib’ it’s second biggest track of 2008. Further accolades came in 2010 with a slew of awards for ‘No Worries’ by Butch, including Groove Magazine’s Track of the Year and Ibiza Track of the Season, as well as Groove’s Label of the Year in 2011 and Nick Curly’s influence seeing him bag a BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix and launch Space Ibiza’s new ‘Kehakuma’ brand as resident DJ and musical core.

 

As the label grew in stature it became home to a wide range of established artists who all embodied the label’s unique identity: Lee Burridge & Matthew Dekay, Matthias Meyer, DJ Sneak, Livio & Roby, Huxley, Uner, Einzelkind and Sebo K among them. In 2012, Cécille released its first artist album, label head Nick Curly’s Between The Lines which encompassed a more laid-back sound, using organic instrumentation and several vocalists to create an LP intended for home listening and long drives in the car. Cécille showcases have taken place at clubs all over the world, from the terrace of Amnesia Ibiza to Miami, New York, Frankfurt and its hometown, Mannheim. 

 

Cécille was undoubtedly one of the most influential labels of the late 2000s and this year it returns…

 

Relaunching with a killer remix of the seminal ‘Nesrib’ by SiS, produced by one of the scene’s most exciting new talents Archie Hamilton, Cécille announces its comeback with a pure, unadulterated dance floor killer. Archie’s rework has been going down a storm in Ibiza this season. Of course, the White Island is a perfect barometer for hot new music, so the stage was set.

 

It’s the ideal time. Dance floors are in need of more deep nuanced sounds and the sultry flavours that are synonymous with Cécille’s output. A new chapter begins right here…