It all began with music. Between 1998 and 2019, I launched several independent labels that carved out their own space in the international electronic music scene – moving somewhere between trip hop, lounge, house, and techno, always with a taste for the unconventional. In the early days – from 1998 to 2005 – it was all about vinyl. Heavy in your hands, warm in sound, made for the DJ booth. After 2005, the focus gradually shifted toward digital releases, without losing the soul of the music.

Under the names Mad Benton Records, Smooth Book, Haikai Music, Hakasystm, HKS Music, and HKSYSTM, more than 180 releases found their way into the world – primarily embraced by international DJs and seekers of rare, distinctive sounds. Mad Benton Records earned near cult status in Berlin and was even considered one of the city's finest house labels at the time. Haikai Music and Hakasystm stood for raw energy, boundary-pushing tracks, and wild, excessive nights. With HKS Music and HKSYSTM, the sound settled into a broader house music spectrum – mature, playful, and dancefloor-ready.

Below, you’ll find a small selection from that era – a journey through two decades of electronic music as I lived, shaped, and loved it. A new label is already in the works. But – all in due time. Audio samples are available via the listed links. Some of the older vinyl releases (especially under Mad Benton) are no longer fully available online – which might make them all the more special. Enjoy the dive. Enjoy the dance.