Definitive Recordings presents Roland Leesker’s rework of Soft House Company’s 1990 House classic ‘What You Need’, alongside the introduction of his new artist moniker, Mysterious Eastern Force. First released on vinyl in June, the single is now available digitally, bringing both versions of ‘What You Need’ to a wider audience. The Original Mix stays close to the classic arrangement while adding a stronger drive, keeping the focus on the groove and character of the original production.

Mysterious Eastern Force Edit

Alongside the Original Mix, the Mysterious Eastern Force Edit introduces a new artist identity for Roland Leesker. The eleven-minute version retains the essence of the original. It adds a stronger bassline and subtle acid elements, extending the track into a hypnotic groove with early House influences and a contemporary club approach.

Soft House Company’s ‘What You Need’ emerged in 1990 during the formative era of House music. The track has remained recognised among DJs and collectors. Roland Leesker approaches it from a contemporary production perspective while retaining the structure and identity of the original. Roland Leesker – What You Need …

A Tribute To DJ Mozart

For Roland Leesker, the rework also serves as a tribute to Claudio Rispoli, better known as DJ Mozart, who wrote the original track and passed away last year. DJ Mozart was a pioneer of Italian club culture and a resident at Baia degli Angeli. He later became an important producer behind records and projects that helped take Italian dance music around the world. Roland Leesker – What You Need …

“For me, this version is really a tribute: to Claudio, to the original record and to that particular emotional quality that the best House music can carry across generations. Hearing it again in Detroit almost 35 years after it was made and feeling that same reaction immediately was the reason I had to make this.” Roland Leesker – What You Need …

Roland Leesker’s House Music History

Active in House music since the late 1980s, Roland Leesker has roots in Frankfurt’s club scene. His career has since taken him through New York, Berlin and international electronic music. His production history reaches back to the mid-1990s. This includes ‘L’Essentiel’, created in 1995 with Ricardo Villalobos under the R+R project.

His later solo catalogue on Get Physical spans House, Acid, Electro and Detroit-influenced sounds. Collaborations and remixes have involved artists including DJ Pierre, Roland Clark, Robert Hood and Terrence Parker. His catalogue also includes the debut album ‘Searching For Peace’ and a recent remix of Inner City’s ‘Pennies From Heaven’. Roland Leesker – What You Need …

The release brings together the Original Mix and extended Mysterious Eastern Force Edit. Both versions connect the 1990 House record with a contemporary interpretation while introducing Roland Leesker’s new artist identity. Following its vinyl-only release in June, ‘What You Need’ will be available digitally through Definitive Recordings on October 2, 2026. Roland Leesker – What You Need …