Mathew Jonson: 20 Tracks you Might have Missed

We’ve never hidden the fact that Mathew Jonson is one of our favorite producers from the past 20 years. Known for his commitment to live performances, Jonson has a catalog that keeps his sets fresh and exciting every time. I first came across his music through his work with Cobblestone Jazz, a trio that dropped underground classics in the mid-2000s like "Dump Truck," "India in M," and the huge "W." Of course, Jonson’s solo work is equally impressive—tracks like "Decompression" and "Marionette" are probably already familiar to many of you.

After a recent, similar deep dive into Ricardo Villalobos’ discography, Jonson seemed like the natural next pick for a similar jump down the rabbit hole. Even better, he’s still putting out high-quality music consistently in recent years. We found some real gems while compiling this list and hope you enjoy discovering them as much as we did. Thanks, Mathew!

Mathew Jonson - New Identity [Itswhatitis Recordings] 2001

Jonson’s first release is minimal at its best. Brooding, atmospheric stuff of the type that instantly transports this listener back to Sven’s Cocoon parties of the same era. This one was released via Itswhatitis Recordings, a label you’ll read more of later on. Highly quality stuff that would set a benchmark for what was to come.

Mathew Jonson & The Mole - Dirt Road and a Boat from Soundwave [Kompakt Extra] 2006

If you’re even remotely familiar with The Mole, you’ll know he’s a fan of keeping it weird. So it's no real surprise that this one is a bit weird and unpredictable. A fellow Canadian (and native of Vacouver), these long-time friends and regular collaborators really did hit out the park here. Released via Michael Mayer’s Kompakt Extra sublabel, which - lest you're unaware - has long been a great source for adventurous electronic music.

A haunting track of the sort that soundtracks the nightmares of non-techno heads. 

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Mathew Jonson - Dayz [Crosstown Rebels] 2011

Damian Lazarus’ Crosstown label really had its finger on the pulse around this time, releasing a slew of brilliant releases from the likes of Jonson, Deniz Kurtel, Glimpse, Maetrik, Visionquest and dozens more. And that’s just off the top of my head. Anyway, whereas previously tracks we’ve mentioned already have been a bit on the darker side, this one lets some light creep in courtesy of a really fun, bouncy baseline. Jonson being Jonson, it retains a deep undertone that also marks it out as something of an emotive set closer. 

Mathew Jonson - Panna Cotta [Itiswhatitis Recordings] 2012 

Jonson’s return to the aforementioned Itiswhatitis Recordings, a label he actually took control of around this time. This ones sees the producer ramp up the BPMs a bit, but also retains enough funk to keep things exciting. A delicate, shimmering techno track that emphasises Jonson’s almost peerless ability to extract the most from his army of machines. 

Mathew Jonson - Automaton [Crosstown Rebels] 2013 ‍

And we’re back at Crosstown Rebels again, and this track is maybe my favourite on this list. Simple but devastatingly effective, there’s little doubting that this one was made firmly with peak-time floors in mind. A tech house wobbler that’s full of suspense, its sharp synths mark it out as a track of real menace and bite. A staple of Jonson’s fabric mix.

Mathew Jonson - Touch the Sky [Crosstown Rebels] 2013 

Released as part of his Her Blurry Pictures LP on Crosstown, Touch the Sky is maybe my favourite track on the album. On it, Jonson effortlessly moved with the sort of swing, vigour and vibe that characterised Levon Vincent’s most thrilling years. Supposedly a staple of his live set for years, it’s nonetheless flown mostly under the radar for some time. 

Mathew Jonson - Magic Through Music [Itiswhatitis Recordings] 2013 

2013 was evidently a prolific period for Jonson, as he put out a string of tracks, with each one seemingly as well-received as the next. This one is a really tidy DJ tool, but one that was overshadowed by Typerope on the A-side. A dreamy, ethereal sequence of beautiful sounds, you’d do well not to overlook it. You just know there’s someone out there who's been rinsing this as a sort of secret weapon for years.

Martin Buttrich & Mathew Jonson - Synchronicity [Rhythm Assault] 2015 

There's little doubt that Martin Buttrich is a producer who never seemed to get the props his mighty output warranted. Jonson, at least, is someone who recognises talent, and given the similarity of their sounds, it’s perhaps unsurprising that they decided to make sweet, beautiful music together. Released via Buttrich’s Rhythm Assault label, there is indeed a great synchronicity to proceedings here. 

Mathew Jonson & Sebastian Mullaert - Pollen 4 Life [Hypercolour] 2015 

Like Buttrich before him, Sebastian Mullaert is a producer you can easily imagine working alongside Jonson. The sort of melodic techno gem that would surely delight fans of Afterlife, Keinemusik et all, this fast-paced wonder is the type of track you could easily imagine in Jonson’s live set. And proof again of his ability to work alongside equally talented - and shrewdly chosen - folks.

A shout-out too to British label Hypercolour, who released a lot of incredible records (not least Maya Jane Coles' debut) around this time. 

Mathew Jonson & Ryan Crosson - Templehof [Visionquest] 2016

Perhaps aided by his move to Berlin, it’s clear that Jonson was in the mood to collaborate around this time. Released in tandem with Visionquest’s Ryan Crosson and dedicated (we gather) to one of Berlin’s biggest - and coolest - public parks, this is another track that, were we to number this list, would be pushing for the top spot.

Mathew Jonson & The Agents of Time - IG00156 [Obscura] 2019 

As we just alluded to, this list is naturally made up of brilliant music. But this one really took our proverbial breath away. A real lose-yourself-in-the music track that would sound quite brilliant during the night’s peak time hours. 

Mathew Jonson & Spaceandtime - Cabin Fever [Capsule] 2019 

Another track that showcases Jonson’s love for wonky atmospherics. This collaboration supposedly developed spontaneously following a gig at Amsterdam's Thuishaven whereby he three producers went to Spaceandtime’s basement studio on the Amsterdam canals and kept jamming into the next morning.

The result of their endeavors is an outstanding fusion of their respective sounds. Mathew’s signature keyboard virtuosity, combined with Spaceandtime’s melancholy chord progressions and backed by a whipping rhythm section, make for one beast of a melodic techno anthem. 

Marco Faraone - No Drama (Mathew Jonson remix) [Rekids] 2021

Marco Faraone may veer a bit too close to the commercial edge at times, but to give him his props, many of his productions are actually pretty decent. As you might imagine from practivcally anything Rekids release, there's a real quality to this one too. Clocking in just shy of twelve minutes, its fluttering percussion swirl around off-kilter chords and vocals to craft a hypnotic atmosphere. Another brilliant effort that showcases Jonson’s penchant for the darker side.

Mathew Jonson & Subb-an - Red [One Records] 

One Records' label head Subb-an sides up with Jonson here to collaboprate on a cut that celebrates a decade of the Birmingham-born label. Featuring uplifting pads, tight drums and a classic Jonson baseline, it blows out the candles with serious distinction.

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Mathew Jonson & Quenum - Cyclops [Shanti Radio Moscow] 2023

Swiss producer Quenum is a man who fans of Luciano and Cadenza will no doubt already be familiar with. A seriously relentless beast that yearns for your attention and doesn't let go to the end.

Mathew Jonson - Rain in Kyoto [The Nothing Special] 2023

Take one look at that artwork, and it's perhaps unsurprising that this one came out via Craig Richards' The Nothing Special. Even less surprising is the fact that it's an all-round classy affair that only enhances the reputation of all involved parties.

Mathew Jonson & Biesmans [Watergate Records]  2022

Released as part of Biesmans' Watergate 28 mix. ‘Quantum Computing’ is the result of a collaboration between Biesmans' musical hero Jonson and Biesmans himself, with a visit to Jonson's studio resulting in this pumping, piano-laden, growly bass driven houser.

Mathew Jonson - Spaceport 23 [Half Baked] 2023

The Half Baked label was launched to "bring the sound of Half Baked’s London parties to a wider audience, showcasing the particular strain of playful, colourful and fun house and techno that can be found on Half Baked’s dance floors." In that essence, the signing of Jonson - an underground artist with obvious crossover appeal - makes sense. Jonson plays his part with aplomb too, turning in a killer record of the type that would most definitely make sense on a Hackney dancefloor.

Mathew Jonson - Into the 5D [Kilometro 4.5] 2023

The press release for this one maybe said it best. "Lush synths slowly cascade all around, as the atmosphere builds in intensity giving way to a driving beat that leads the listener deeper into the undergrowth. The B-side Into The 5D (Space Dub) takes these evocative elements and presents a darker and more intense dub destined for a forest rave". Indeed.

‍Mathew Jonson - Tako Tako [Crosstown Rebels]

Save for even Wagon Repair, there's probably no label Jonson feels quite as at home as Crosstown Rebels. This entire EP is fantastic, but it's this one - the title track - that's the pick of the litter. Featuring Jonson's signature mix of refined synths, futuristic energy and crunchy beats, it signs off our list with the sort of pulsating dancefloor thrill that's evident throughout this list.

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