Selections: Mathew Jonson

Welcome back to Selections, a series of exclusive artist-curated Spotify playlists from those in the know.

Wagon repair co-founder and Itiswhatitis label boss Mathew Jonson has been described as a visionary for his fast and loose analogue excursions. His particular idiosyncratic sound contains an improvisational quality, informed by an incisive feel for complex layering as much as his commitment to packing a punch on the dancefloor.

Aside from his solo sets, Jonson’s work can be found in the collectives Cobblestone Jazz, Modern Deep Left Quartet and Midnight Operator – which he heads up with his brother Nathan Jonson.

Stepping up for our Selections series, the Berlin-based selector delivers a playlist that pays tribute to Yellow Magic Orchestra – the seminal group founded by Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yukijiro Takahashi and Haruomi Hosono. The group pioneered playful blends of techno and pop, and outside of Japan gained popularity for their innovative use of technology in music at the time. Despite their short-lived existence (they were active between 1978 and 1984 with the exception of a brief reunion in 1993), YMO have retained an enduring legacy in electronic music. Jonson’s Selections playlist stitches together familiar tracks with more obscure B-sides, and significant air time is given to their fourth studio album BGM (1981). Celebrate the magic of YMO via the play button below.

Mathew Jonson plays at Caprices Festival, Switzerland, 11-14 April