
“Sonido Madera” is my tribute to the wide breadth of music from around the world that features the marimba, or one of it’s many cousins- the balafon, the xylophone, and the xalaparta among others. I’ve always been naturally attracted to the earthy percussive sound of wood resonating, and it’s become one of the most recurring instruments in my own music production without me even realizing it.
Perhaps it’s partly due to my background as a drummer, growing up in the forest surrounded by trees, or the fact that music highlighting the marimba is often connected to Africa, folkloric roots, and tropical locations which I love. Whatever the case may be, I have a deep appreciation for the sound of wood and the music it makes. This mix is a 70-minute musical world tour, with songs and artists from over 20 countries, including some tracks that date back to the 50’s and others that are brand new releases.
You’ll hear electronic dance music, Afrobeat, Cumbia, Colombian Bullerengue, Malian Disco, Jazz, Salsa, a touch of punk rock and even a cheeky nod to the “Exotica” music which essentially commercialized and re-branded authentic marimba based music for White audiences. There’s also a touch of Txalaparta music which I learned about in Basque Country, Spain, as well as a taste of Jegog music played on bamboo, which I first heard in Bali, Indonesia. Of course there are endless more examples of amazing wood-based music out there, harnessing the powerful voices of trees, and I hope this mix inspires listeners to keep exploring!
Theo • September 3, 2026
A 70-minute mix gives the sequence enough room to develop instead of treating genre changes as quick highlights. The combination of Afro, disco, house, Latin elements, and psychedelic touches sounds especially suited to a label series: it can show a selector’s range while still keeping a dancefloor focus. I’d be curious how you approached the transitions between the more percussive passages and the trippier material, since that pacing is often what makes a long-form mix feel cohesive.
Diego • September 5, 2026
A 70-minute blend built around Afro, disco, and house leaves room for the transitions to become part of the story rather than just links between tracks. The Latin and psychedelic elements sound like a useful way to introduce contrast without abandoning the dancefloor focus. The connection to Saint Wax’s catalog also gives listeners a clear path for exploring the label’s wider sound after the mix. It will be interesting to hear how the energy develops across the full runtime.