Armand

Real Name:
Armand Van Helden
Profile:
Armand Van Helden was born in Boston in 1970.
Massively prolific house music producer, Van Helden was first noticed for his numerous productions on Strictly Rhythm produced under various aliases. His first big underground hit was scored late 1994 with "Witch Doktor", a mysterious, dark and hypnotic composition. His first EP followed, giving a glimpse of his talents and imagination. In 1995, he re-edited "The Bomb" by Bucketheads, The and started to remix other artists. From the big names of Eurodance (Real McCoy, Rednex) to popular pop acts (Bananarama, Ace Of Base, Blondie), the 'Van Helden' touch started to impose itself.
After a couple of succesful remixes for Kim English and Daft Punk among others, he unintentionally kickstarted the genre known as "speed garage" with his remixes of 'Sugar Is Sweeter' by CJ Bolland (strongly inspired by 'Get Up' by Krimp), 'Professional Widow' by Tori Amos, 'Runaway' by Nuyorican Soul and 'Spin Spin Sugar' by the Sneaker Pimps.
To prove he was not just only a remix act, he came back with one of his own productions 'The Funk Phenomena' in 1996. It became an international dance hit and made Van Helden the most requested DJ of the time.
Further albums and singles continued his success story: 'You Don't Know Me' (1999), with Duane Harden on vocals, sampled Carrie Lucas to great effect, just like 'My My My' did with Gary Wright (2004).
He Has also dabbled occasionally in hip hop productions: the album 'Sampleslaya' (1997) is a good example.
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Aliases:
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Variations:
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Artist

Shortcut Code: [a3352]
Data Quality Rating: Needs Vote

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Discography

Releases:
Repro (3x12", Comp)   Armed Records 2001
Remixes:
Another Night (U.S. Mixes) (12") Another Night (Armand'... Hansa 1994
Do You Know What I Mean? (12") Do You Know What I Mea... Strictly Rhythm 1994
I Get Lifted (12") I Get Lifted (Armand's... D:vision Records 1994
Automatic Lover (Call For Love) (2 versions) Automatic Lover (Call ... Logic Records (UK) ... 1995
Carnival (12") Carnival (Armand's Kok... Cutting Records 1995
Carré MegamiX 3 (CD, Comp, Mixed) I Get Lifted (Armand's... Indisc 1995
Conway (2x12") Conway (Armand's Brook... Strictly Rhythm 1995
Heartbeat (12") Heartbeat (Armand's Ca... London Records 1995
Positive Mix (CD) Stay Together (Armand'... Outland Records 1995
Reel 2 Remixed (Comp) (2 versions) Raise Your Hands (Arma... Positiva ... 1995
Stay Together (Single) (2 versions) Stay Together (Armand'... Strictly Rhythm ... 1995
The Need / The Keep (2x12") The Keep (Armand's Fun... Multiply White 1995
Club System (CD, Comp, Mixed) The Search (Armand's P... EVA Belgium 1996
La Maison Grande Presents The Second Volume - A Special Collection Of Classic House Trax (2xCD, Comp) My Love Is Deep (Arman... La Maison Grande 1996
Lucky Love (2x12", Promo) Lucky Love (Armand's B... Arista 1996
Professional Widow (It's Got To Be Big) (Maxi) (2 versions) Professional Widow (It... EastWest ... 1996
Progressive Attack 3 (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) A Mover La Colita (Arm... Club Tools 1996
The Key, The Secret (CD, Maxi) The Key, The Secret (A... Pulse-8 Records, Club Tools 1996
The Search (10", Gre) The Search (Armand's P... Sm:)e Communications 1996
Elevator House (CD, Comp, Mixed) Runaway (Mongoloids In... Elevator Music 1997
House'N'Dream (2xCD, Comp) Insomnia (Armand's Eur... BMG Ariola Media GmbH 1997
Insomnia (Single) (2 versions) Insomnia (Armand's Mix... Arista ... 1997
Sex Life (CD, Maxi) Sex Life (Armand's Abs... Movement Records 1997
Spice Girls Present... The Best Girl Power Album...Ever! (2xCD, Comp) Professional Widow (Ar... Virgin Schallplatten GmbH 1997
Trax @ Rohstofflager (CD, Comp) Insomnia (Armand's Eur... Energetic Records, Magic Move 1997
Hits From Club E-Play (LP, Promo) My Love Is Deep (Arman... Zebra (2) 1998
Where Do We Go (12") Where Do We Go (Armand... Strictly Rhythm 1998
Club Sounds - The Real Classics (2xCD, Comp) Professional Widow (Ar... Sony Music Media 1999
Reverence (Special Edition) (CD, Album) Insomnia (Armands Euro... Cheeky Records, Cheeky Records 2002
Anthems 1991-2008 (3xCD) Spin Spin Sugar (Arman... Ministry Of Sound 2007
Balearic Series - Ibiza - Mallorca (2xCD, Comp, Mixed) Where Do We Go? (Arman... Morbido Records  
Mix:
Sexy Girl (12") Sexy Girl (Armand Hard... Wansa Records 1996
Appears On:
Another Night (U.S. Mixes) (CD, Maxi) Another Night (Armand'... BMG Music (Australia) 1994
Move On Baby (12") Move On Baby (Armand's... London Records 1994
Professional Widow (It's Got To Be Big) (Maxi) (2 versions) Professional Widow (It... EastWest ... 1995
The Search (Remixes) (12") The Search (Armand's P... Touché 1996
Tracks Appear On:
Carré MegamiX 3 (CD, Comp, Mixed) The Witch Doctor Indisc 1995
House'N'Dream (2xCD, Comp) Witch Doktor BMG Ariola Media GmbH 1997
Anthems 1991-2008 (3xCD) You Don't Know Me Ministry Of Sound 2007
Unofficial Releases:
Funk -N- Run (12", W/Lbl) The Funk Phenomena vs.... Not On Label (Armand Van Helden), Not On Label (Daft Punk), Not On Label (Loleatta Holloway)  
▸ show all 5 reviews

Reviews & Discussion

Review by Apeman Mar 14, 2009
Armand Van Helden is one of the coolest house producers out there. "You Don't Know Me", from 1998/9 was one of the greatest house tracks of all time, plus "The Funk Phenomina" is just absolutely amazing Funky Nu-Skool breaks, that was ahead of it's time. The Ballistic Brothers mix of "The Funk Phenomina" is just eargasmic. I also really like Ultrafunkina, Which Doctor, Flowerz, and Full Moon featuring the amazing rapper Common.

I highly reccomend tracks with Armand Van Helden's name on it
Review by vinylbytheton Aug 29, 2007 (edited over 2 years ago)
From a career capped off by numerous #1 singles,to countless remixes,AVH never ceases to amaze me.He is constantly changing his style,and it works!What exactly can be said about this legend that hasn't already?I can't wait to hear what he puts out next!
Review by Q2131 Feb 28, 2005 (edited over 4 years ago)

AVH has kept his rep & music underground, shunning most of the crossover accolades most of his contemporarieslike MAW & Todd Terry have garnered, where it belongs!! I have had the honor of seeing live several times and the man is the BEST DJ most folks have never heard of, save for his "Professional Widow" remix of Tori Amos that brought him some main stream attention.
From the first time I heard "The Witch Doktor" & his alias' Pirates of the Caribbean's "Rumba" as a young teenager I was spellbound by the beats and rhythms he encompasses. From his "Kentucky Fried Flow" and "You Don't Even Know Me" to "Psychic Bounty Killers" w/ DJ Sneak, I have seen his music keep legions of peopel dancing from her in the states to El Divino in Ibiza and M.O.S in London.
Review by Kee-Lo Apr 04, 2003
As you can see, Armand has a great remixing CV, he's done everyone from Tori Amos right though to New Order. He also made a great garage sound, and pioneered house music. He's also a good DJ, and has changed his musical style. Tracks like Koochy prove he can do breaks as well as four to the floor. One of the best artists in house music.
Review by Bucalo Aug 23, 2002
Armand van Helden is a great master for house music who isn't on television every minute probably because he keeps his job of making various kinds of house tracks so good that he isn't commercial enough for MTV and similar media organizations... He makes good groovy house, sometimes freaky disco funk, close to hip-hop beats and old skoolish big-beats... I heard a lot of his tracks...
The way that he is hown here introduces him in a bnad way... Maybe you should check other sites...cause... :
Armand made alot of big ghetto beats earlier in his carier, then he strted disco freakin in the 90s and later he came back to 'Killin Puritans'... That is an album to remember!
He also released his third album - 'Ghandi Kan' which was released at the end of 2001... I thought that he wanted to stick to 'Killin Puritans' for a while but he already had tracks for a new album... Don't forget to listen to a couple of good tracks from his 12"/CD releases like:
Necessary Evil, Psychic Bounty Killaz, U Don't Know Me [2 Future 4 U]; Koochy, Phreeknik, Flyaway Love [Killing Puritans]; Why Can't You Free Some Time For Me, Flyaway Love Pt.2 [Ghandi Kan]; ...

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YouTube Videos

DJ Sneak & Armand Van Helden - Psychic Bounty Killaz