It’s not Christmas yet, but there is an early gift for fans of Ben Böhmer: the German producer has taken over the Melodic Techno & Instrumental House Spotify playlist.
I am glad that Ben Böhmer agreed to curate this playlist. His music appears regularly on Klangspot playlists because it suits the space between melodic house, progressive house and thoughtful electronic music. The words “deep” and “soulful” are used so often in the melodic house and techno scene that they can lose their meaning. In Ben Böhmer’s case, they describe the music fairly well.
His tracks have emotion without forcing it. Some are entirely instrumental, yet they carry a clear sense of movement and mood. A piano phrase, a patient build or a warm synth line can do the work that lyrics usually do. One track may feel open and light, while the next settles into something more melancholic. That contrast is part of why his productions stay interesting after repeated listens.
Ben Böhmer’s melodic techno music works in a club, but it also holds up away from the dancefloor. The arrangements leave room to breathe. Small details appear after a few plays, especially in the percussion and the way his melodies change over time. These are tracks for a late-night set, a train journey or a quiet morning when a louder record would feel out of place.
Collaboration has always been part of Ben Böhmer’s work. His debut album, ‘Breathing‘, includes music with Monolink, Jan Blomqvist, Nils Hoffmann and Malou. The record contains eleven tracks and two extended mixes. It moves at an unhurried pace, but it does not drift. Each piece has its own character, and the album makes more sense when heard in full rather than as a collection of isolated streaming singles.
“Breathing” also helped define the sound many listeners associate with Ben Böhmer: melodic electronic music that is carefully produced without becoming overly polished. There is a human looseness in many of the tracks. Melodies do not always resolve in the most obvious direction, and the quieter passages are often as memorable as the beat drops. That approach gives the album a personal feel.
Before “Breathing”, Ben Böhmer had already released collaborations and remixes with artists such as Fritz Kalkbrenner and Luttrell. I enjoy these partnerships when the artists share some musical ground but still bring different habits to the studio. The result can keep a familiar sound while changing its shape. ‘Rye‘, his collaboration with Fritz Kalkbrenner, was one of my most-played electronic tracks of 2019. Its vocal and restrained groove make it easy to return to without wearing out its welcome.
The numbers also show how widely Ben Böhmer’s music has travelled. He had nearly 40 million streams, and Annie Mac and Pete Tong played his work on BBC Radio 1. One of those plays included an “Essential New Tune.” Billboard also included him in its “Ones To Watch” selection. Those mentions are useful context, though the music explains his following better than a list of milestones does.
Ben Böhmer has run his own label, ‘Ton Töpferei‘, for more than three years. The label gives him a place for releases outside the usual release schedule of larger electronic labels. He also works with other imprints. His debut album and many of his better-known tracks were released through Anjunadeep, a label closely associated with melodic house, progressive electronic music and patient, detailed productions.
His live schedule also shows that his audience extends beyond Germany. Dates in the USA and Canada put his music in front of listeners who may have first found him through Spotify, Anjunadeep mixes or recorded live sets. Ben Böhmer’s performances usually translate the intimacy of his studio work into a larger room without turning every track into a festival-size drop.
Find the current dates on his Anjunadeep artist page.
Ben Böhmer takeover Spotify playlist
This Ben Böhmer Spotify playlist takeover focuses on the melodic techno and instrumental house side of his catalogue. It is a compact introduction for new listeners and a useful selection for anyone who already knows “Breathing.” The tracklist moves through atmospheric edits, reflective piano-led pieces and the collaboration “Rye.”
Takeover tracklist
Ben Böhmer – Flug & Fall – Edit
Ben Böhmer – In Memoriam
Ben Böhmer – Wall Of Strings
Ben Böhmer – After Earth – Edit
Ben Böhmer – Ground Control – Edit
Ben Böhmer – Vale
Ben Böhmer – Submission
Ben Böhmer & Fritz Kalkbrenner – Rye
Ben Böhmer – Fliederregen
Ben Böhmer – Morning Falls – Edit
Ben Böhmer | Live at Anjunadeep x Printworks London 2019 (Official HD Set)
The Anjunadeep x Printworks London set gives a fuller picture of how Ben Böhmer builds a live melodic house set. The pacing is patient, with transitions that let the tracks develop instead of cutting quickly to the next moment. It is worth watching if the playlist leaves you wanting more of his live electronic music.
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