Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The ever-expanding canon of marimba music is going through a resurgence of innovation and experimentation – with bands such as Son Rompe Pera from Mexico, the Nakibembe Xylophone Troupe from Uganda, Nuevos Rios from Colombia and more. ZZK is excited to share the latest in our mixtape series: A marimba trip featuring carefully selected cuts from LA-based DJ and producer Captain Planet.
From Captain Planet
Los Angeles, CA
March 2026
"Sonido Madera" is my tribute to the wide breadth of music from around the world that features the marimba, or one of its 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 50s 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!
Tracklist: Artist - Song Title - Label - Country of origin
1. Martin Denny - Exotica (Liberty - USA)
2. Captain Planet & Shungudzo - Big Man (Bastard Jazz - USA/Zimbabwe)
3. La Coreañera - Marimba y Acordeón (Universal - USA)
4. Violent Femmes - Gone Daddy Gone (Captain Planet Cumbia Remix) (no label - USA)
5. Son Rompe Pera - Pájaro Cenzontle (AYA - Mexico)
6. Bobby Hutcherson - Mountain Caravan (Blue Note - USA)
7. Sven Wunder - Take A Seat (Piano Piano - Sweden)
8. Sumohair - Tropical Raindrops (remix of Grupo Socavón) (Independent - USA/ Colombia)
9. Tito Puente - Asia Mood (Verve - USA/Puerto Rico)
10. Nuevos Ríos - Sumba Ale (ZZK - Colombia/France)
11. Bosq & Kaleta - Ose (Independent- USA/Benin)
12. Jesus Artze & Andoni Aleman - Makalarin (Elkar - Spain/Basque Country)
13. Earthtones, Oliwa, Numu, Semblanzas Del Rio Guapi - Limones (Wonderwheel - USA/Colombia)
14. Nuevos Ríos - Malvada (ZZK - Colombia/France)
15. Chichimarimba - Chichimix Pachanguero 3 (Difosa - Guatemala)
16. Tony Allen - Road Close (Dance Dub) (Comet - Nigeria)
17. Synapson - Bensema (feat. Oumou Sangaré) ( Elektra - France/Mali)
18. Quantic - Muevelo Negro feat. Nidia Gongora (Werkha Remix) (TruThoughts - UK/Colombia)
19. Bag Raiders - Nairobi (Modular - Australia)
20. Niama Makalou et African Soul Band Kognokoura (Sofrito - Mali)
21. Makossa & Megablast - Wangu (feat. Tony Allen & OG Spiritual Goddess) - (Luvlite Recordings - Austria)
22. Ghetto Kumbé - Sola (ZZK - Colombia)
23. Captain Planet, De Mar Y Rio - Canta el Agua (Bastard Jazz - USA/Colombia)
24. Ana Tijoux - Shock (Captain Planet Remix) (Nacional - Chile/France)
25. I Nyoman Jayus' Bamboo Ensemble - Gopala (Music Of The Earth - Indonesia)
26. Chico Mann & Captain Planet - Ya Te Toca (Yukicito Remix) (Bastard Jazz - USA/Japan)
27. Hector Ferreyra Y Su Conjunto - A Caballo (DJ Still Life Edit) (Independent- Ecuador)
28. Grupo Naidy - El Botellon (Uproot Andy Remix) (Independent - Colombia/USA)
29. Dollar DJ - Wolosso (Uproot Andy Remix) (Independent - Cote D'Ivoire/USA)
30. Dotorado - African Scream (Marimbas) (Independent - Angola/Portugal)
31. Neba Solo - Djon Té Yéré Son (Blanc Manioc - Mali)
32. Nino Nardini & Roger Roger - Malaysia (Kosinus - France)
33. Hermanos Palacios - Llegando a Blue Fields (Discomoda - Nicaragua)
Nuevos Rios, where Colombian marimbas meet synthesizers from Toulouse, was released on March 27, 2026 on ZZK Records.
The ever-expanding canon of marimba music is going through a resurgence of innovation and experimentation – with bands such as Son Rompe Pera from Mexico, the Nakibembe Xylophone Troupe from Uganda, Nuevos Rios from Colombia and more. ZZK is excited to share the latest in our mixtape series: A marimba trip featuring carefully selected cuts from LA-based DJ and producer Captain Planet.
From Captain Planet
Los Angeles, CA
March 2026
"Sonido Madera" is my tribute to the wide breadth of music from around the world that features the marimba, or one of its 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 50s 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!
Tracklist: Artist - Song Title - Label - Country of origin
1. Martin Denny - Exotica (Liberty - USA)
2. Captain Planet & Shungudzo - Big Man (Bastard Jazz - USA/Zimbabwe)
3. La Coreañera - Marimba y Acordeón (Universal - USA)
4. Violent Femmes - Gone Daddy Gone (Captain Planet Cumbia Remix) (no label - USA)
5. Son Rompe Pera - Pájaro Cenzontle (AYA - Mexico)
6. Bobby Hutcherson - Mountain Caravan (Blue Note - USA)
7. Sven Wunder - Take A Seat (Piano Piano - Sweden)
8. Sumohair - Tropical Raindrops (remix of Grupo Socavón) (Independent - USA/ Colombia)
9. Tito Puente - Asia Mood (Verve - USA/Puerto Rico)
10. Nuevos Ríos - Sumba Ale (ZZK - Colombia/France)
11. Bosq & Kaleta - Ose (Independent- USA/Benin)
12. Jesus Artze & Andoni Aleman - Makalarin (Elkar - Spain/Basque Country)
13. Earthtones, Oliwa, Numu, Semblanzas Del Rio Guapi - Limones (Wonderwheel - USA/Colombia)
14. Nuevos Ríos - Malvada (ZZK - Colombia/France)
15. Chichimarimba - Chichimix Pachanguero 3 (Difosa - Guatemala)
16. Tony Allen - Road Close (Dance Dub) (Comet - Nigeria)
17. Synapson - Bensema (feat. Oumou Sangaré) ( Elektra - France/Mali)
18. Quantic - Muevelo Negro feat. Nidia Gongora (Werkha Remix) (TruThoughts - UK/Colombia)
19. Bag Raiders - Nairobi (Modular - Australia)
20. Niama Makalou et African Soul Band Kognokoura (Sofrito - Mali)
21. Makossa & Megablast - Wangu (feat. Tony Allen & OG Spiritual Goddess) - (Luvlite Recordings - Austria)
22. Ghetto Kumbé - Sola (ZZK - Colombia)
23. Captain Planet, De Mar Y Rio - Canta el Agua (Bastard Jazz - USA/Colombia)
24. Ana Tijoux - Shock (Captain Planet Remix) (Nacional - Chile/France)
25. I Nyoman Jayus' Bamboo Ensemble - Gopala (Music Of The Earth - Indonesia)
26. Chico Mann & Captain Planet - Ya Te Toca (Yukicito Remix) (Bastard Jazz - USA/Japan)
27. Hector Ferreyra Y Su Conjunto - A Caballo (DJ Still Life Edit) (Independent- Ecuador)
28. Grupo Naidy - El Botellon (Uproot Andy Remix) (Independent - Colombia/USA)
29. Dollar DJ - Wolosso (Uproot Andy Remix) (Independent - Cote D'Ivoire/USA)
30. Dotorado - African Scream (Marimbas) (Independent - Angola/Portugal)
31. Neba Solo - Djon Té Yéré Son (Blanc Manioc - Mali)
32. Nino Nardini & Roger Roger - Malaysia (Kosinus - France)
33. Hermanos Palacios - Llegando a Blue Fields (Discomoda - Nicaragua)
Nuevos Rios, where Colombian marimbas meet synthesizers from Toulouse, was released on March 27, 2026 on ZZK Records.
