Energy 52

Energy 52 was a short-lived but legendary German trance project formed in Berlin in 1991 by Paul Schmitz‑Moormann (aka Kid Paul), with key collaboration from Harald Blüchel (aka Cosmic Baby). Although only active until around 1993, the duo left an enduring mark on electronic music. Their most iconic release, “Café del Mar”, debuted in 1993 on the influential Eye Q label and instantly became a trance anthem. Named after the famed Ibiza sunset venue, the track is built around a haunting melody inspired by Wim Mertens’s “Struggle for Pleasure”. “Café del Mar” has been remixed extensively: in 1997, the Three ’N One remix became a global dance hit, and in 1998, Nalin & Kane’s version reached number 12 on the UK charts. The track has been consistently voted among the greatest dance tunes ever. Numerous high-profile artists, including Paul van Dyk, Deadmau5, Ricardo Villalobos, Tale of Us, and most recently Orbital and Michael Mayer, have all released new interpretations of the track. A special 30th-anniversary edition was released in late 2024, featuring fresh remixes and renewed interest in the track’s timeless sound.

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