Sweet Music RecommendsBanging, deep, ethereal, mysteries, soulful: when it comes to techno, there are no end of hats that Berghain ringmaster Ben Klock is capable of wearing. A sometime graphic designer and a Berlin native, Klock’s residency at the world’s most famous (and it should be said, most infamous) is without doubt the most high-profile in modern day techno. As ever, Klock’s calendar is wedged this summer, with appearances at Berghain fitting in between gigs in France, Ibiza, Rotterdam, Croatia and more. However, it’s his next appearance at Neopop that’s really got us excited. Playing alongside the likes of Hector Oaks, Jeff Mills and Laurent Garnier, Klock is sure to bring his A game alongside such luminaries of the scene. Kicking off on the 7th August and running for four nights, Neopop looks set to be a spectacular affair. In celebration of Klock, here we count down some of our favourite jams from one of techno’s most treasured acts.
Subzero
A straight up and undoubted techno classic, ’Subzero’ came to pass on Berghain’s in-house label, the much revered Ostgut Ton. Still a staple of Klock’s sets, it’s filled with groove and the sort of spiky baseline which he’s made his name on over the years. A cut that always earns a rapturous response, we’ve every feeling it still will in years to come.
Kerri Chandler – Pong (Klock’s Bones & Strings remix)
Released via DJ Deep’s Deeply Rooted, although this isn’t an obvious marriage of artists on paper, the results are quite spectacular. Indicative of Klock switching it up, that’s for sure.
Phantom Studies (w/Marcel Dettmann)
An endlessly bleak and captivating techno cut, this one is designed to make dancers — and casual listeners alike — lose their mind. Full of atmosphere and haunting melodies, it’s safe to say it’s a job that both producers achieves with aplomb.
October
Released via Ellen Allien’s Berlin-based Bpitch Control, this one was an early indication that Ben Klock meant business. Full of taut, heavy drums and more of those trademark deep vibes, it’s telling that this one still sounds as fresh today as it did upon its release in 2008.
Compression Session 2
Dark, heaving and almost totally devoid of any light or colour, Compression Session 2 is Klock at his otherworldly best.
Catch Ben Klock at Neopop in Portugal. For tickets, visit https://neopopfestival.com/