Every time you change employers—and trust me, I did that a lot—you end up taking some people with you as friends. I even met my wife at that job , and I am truly grateful for that. Then there’s Jan, who worked as a graphic designer and art director. When I get to know people, I like to talk about music. I want to know what kind of music other people are listening to. Sometimes I discover artists and styles I’ve never heard of before. And sometimes, we share the same taste, which gives us even more to talk about. I spent hours talking about music with Jan, and still today, I really enjoy those conversations with him.

Jan Madera has one of the finest tastes in electronic music, and I’m always happy when he releases a new mix. It can be House, Techno, Drum & Bass, Ambient, or Electronica. His mix series, “Alternative Elevator Music,” has grown to an impressive 20 mixes over the last few years, and I’ve been a fan since the first one. To me, it’s the perfect music to listen to while I need to work with concentration and focus. I’m always surprised by how quickly an hour can fly by.

Jan has such a good sense for the mood of a track and the transitions it needs to create a tense and dynamic mix. Like Bob Ross, he seems to create happy little accidents that result in timeless masterpieces. I like most of the mixes Jan makes, but this series undoubtedly captivates me the most. And besides his understanding and knowledge of music, Jan is truly a good guy.

Music producer and collector Billy Caso originally hails from South England but has spent the last few years in Berlin. A few years ago, I discovered his “Home Comfort Mix Series,” specifically the fourth mix, “Roadtrip.” I remember it vividly; I was amazed by the thoughtful way he mixes and compiles music.

Over the years, he has produced 14 mixes in this series, featuring music ranging from ambient, electronica, and psychedelic jazz to hip-hop, and more. Each mix takes you on a journey and provides the perfect soundtrack for everyday situations. I always find myself smiling when I see a new Home Comfort Mix in my SoundCloud feed.