FUNKSTAR DE LUXE

Breaking into the industry on the back of his 1999 remix of Bob Marley’s ‘Sun Is Shining’, FUNKSTAR DE LUXE has proved himself to be a consistent and high-quality remixer and a producer with great ability.

FUNKSTAR DE LUXE was born Martin Ottesen. He played keyboard in a funk band throughout the 1990s but bands like Kraftwerk opened his eyes and ears to the potential of synthesizers and samplers.

His remix of ‘Sun Is Shining’ blew up around the world. It sold over 1 Million copies worldwide, went Gold in South Africa, Belgium, Sweden and Denmark, Silver in France and the UK and was licensed to a massive number of compilation albums. The single stayed at #1 for 3 consecutive weeks on Billboard’s Dance Chart and remained on the chart for more than a year.

‘Sun Is Shining’ was named ‘Track Of The Season’ on Ibiza and FUNKSTAR DE LUXE performed the track at the 2000 World Music Awards in Monaco where he was also presented with an award for ‘The World’s Best Selling Reggae Single’.

FUNKSTAR DE LUXE quickly followed up with another remix of a Bob Marley track, ‘Rainbow Country’, which did extremely well and lead to FUNKSTAR DE LUXE being approached to remix the work of James Brown, Grace Jones and Mary J. Blige.

In 2002 FUNKSTAR DE LUXE’ second album Funkturistic was released. Featuring an array of collaborators. The album was a totally original effort with the exception of ‘Blinded By the Light’, a Bruce Springsteen classic re-spruced by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band.

In 2004 two singles were released: ‘When I Think Of You’ and the remix of Tom Jones’ ‘She’s A Lady’. Both singles were included on several compilations in 2005 including ‘Ultimate Dance Remixed’, ‘Club Hits 2006’, ‘Hed Kandi World Series 2’ and ‘Disco Kandi 05.04’.

During the years 2007-2010 FUNKSTAR DE LUXE collaborated with artists such as Alexandra Prince on the single ‘Higher State’, Patrick Spiegelberg on the single ‘Whatever It Takes’ and Datboy Fresh on the single ‘Hey Mar’.

2013 saw the release of a remake of Kim Wilde’s mega hit from 1986, ‘You Keep Me Hangin’ On’. The single reached #14 on the Danish Dance Chart, #19 on the Dance 50 in Germany and #2 on the Swiss Dance Chart.

Celebrating the 15th anniversary of his signature tune, Sun Is Shining, in 2014 FUNKSTAR DE LUXE gave the song a fresh new production and with a collection of remixes from Steve Brian & York, Pole Folder a.o. the single reached #1 on the British Dance Charts and on the Swiss Dance Charts.

The beginning of 2015 saw the release of a brand new song, Million Miles.
Co-written with Geoffrey Williams (Michael Jackson, Dusty Springfield, Shaun Escoffery, Eternal a.o.) and Adrian ‘Zag’ Zagoritis (York, Blank & Jones, Spencer and Hill a.o.), on Million Miles FUNKSTAR DE LUXE goes back to the funk feeling which played a big part in his early works. And Geoffrey Williams’ deliciously soulful vocal sprinkles the electro funk with stardust. Million Miles reached #8 on the British Dance Chart.

In another 2015 collaboration FUNKSTAR DE LUXE joined forces with Kym Sims who set her clear mark on dance music in the 90’ies with her singles ‘Take My Advice’ and ‘Too Blind To See It’. The result of Funkstar and Kym’s collaboration was the single ‘Ain’t Havin’ It’, a straight-up house track with plenty of 90’ies flavour. The single reached #3 on DJBarometer.com.

In 2016 the single ‘Super Disco feat. Bart Voncken’ was released, a funk-fuelled journey back to the days of Studio 54. With appreciative nods to Daft Punk and Basement Jaxx, FUNKSTAR DE LUXE put his trademark twist on this dancefloor slammer. Later the same year ‘Nobody But You’ was released on PR Records. A collaboration with Swedish DJ/producer Dreamell and the late James Gicho on vocals. The single spent 12 weeks on the Swedish Dance Chart.

Summer 2017 saw three releases under the Funkstar De Luxe moniker, ‘Sweet Sweet Love’ feat. Jo Hadler, ‘This Is My Life’ vs. Rasster feat. Avante and not least a brand new rework of Sun Is Shining in collaboration with PBH & Jack Shizzle.