
“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!
Adrian • October 2, 2026
A 70-minute set gives the selections room to develop rather than treating Afro, disco, house, Latin, and psychedelic elements as separate boxes. The blend of those styles sounds especially suited to a label series: it can introduce listeners to the Saint Wax catalogue while still presenting a coherent point of view from the guest. The sequencing is likely where that range becomes most compelling, because transitions can reveal connections between rhythms that individual tracks alone may not show.
Julian • October 2, 2026
The stated 70-minute set sounds deliberately shaped around movement rather than a single genre lane: Afro, disco, and house establish the core, while Latin and psychedelic touches can keep transitions surprising. That kind of programming works best when the energy has room to rise and reset instead of chasing constant peaks. The label-series context also makes the mix feel like a focused introduction to a particular musical community, rather than simply a collection of tracks.