“A bit hyperactive, and a mix of the old and new,” says Steve Goodman of his contribution to the SonarMix series. A line that neatly summarises his work - both as Kode9 and as head of crucial UK label Hyperdub - since 2004. One of dubstep’s original pioneers, he’s spent the past decade exploring hi-tech, forward-thinking club music of all shades and genres, as reflected by Hyperdub’s forays into everything from r&b to footwork and deconstructed club.

A frequent face at Sónar since first coming to the festival with Radio One’s Mary Anne Hobbs in 2007, he’s due to appear three times in 2023: for a solo live AV show, a night-time back-to-back, and in conversation with Moor Mother. SonarMix 019 serves as a “warm-up” for that Friday night back-to-back with SHERELLE, and “mostly revolves around footwork, juke and jungle with little deviations into dancehall, kuduro and other speedy club stuff.” 

Opening with a track from his late friend, footwork originator DJ Rashad, it spins through 40 tracks in just over 68 minutes, from Chicago and South London to Shanghai and Lisbon.  Ikonika x 45Diboss’ science-fiction dancehall blends into DJ Marfox’s electrified kuduro, while Omni Trio’s euphoric jungle anthem ‘Renegade Snares’ finds common ground with soulful vocal flips from DJ Manny and DJ Chap. And new school jungle meets the source material as Tim Reaper’s ‘The Cosmic Connection’ gets mixed into a Rufige Kru (aka Goldie) classic.

For all the mutant club hybrids and frenetic rhythms, it’s full of warmth and feeling: one of the scene’s most thoughtful minds (word to the wise: don’t miss him in conversation with Moor Mother on Friday) revelling in the music he loves. If this is the warm-up, we can’t wait for the real thing. 

Tracklist:

DJ Rashad - Juke Appeal

Moderat - Neon Rats (SHERELLE’S Sleepless in Philadelphia Remix)

DJ Manny - Express Lane

DJ Taye - Foolin

Hyph1EE - Barnacles (Kode9 Remix)

DJ Babatr - Las Lomas (Kode9 Remix)

EQ Why - Under Pressure

Ikonika x 45Diboss - Love Di Gal Dem

DJ Marfox - Un Bes Bai

DJ Paypal - Slim Trak VIP

Phil - GO Down Deh VIP

DJ Paypal - Xylo 

K-Rai - Badbwao VIP

DJ Manny - 2AM

Heavee - Make It Work

Omni Trio - Renegade Snares

DJ Manny - Skipped a Beat

DJ Chap - Ritual Union

Cuenique - Rage

DJ Manny - Acid Works

Hank - NFL

Hudson Mohawke - Behold

Philip D Kick - Orbit

Black Rave Culture - Sub Poppin

Cold Storage - Messij (Kode9 Remix)

DJ Manny - Funky Chop

Serre & Snugs - If I Could Bring You Back

LCY - What It Could Be

DJ MC - Do It Again

DJ Manny - Rebo (Juked Out)

Kode9 - Infirmary

Please - Orbital

Eram - You Shot Me Down

EQ Why - Juke Everything

SHERELLE - Jungle Teknah

Tim Reaper - The Cosmic Connection

Rufige Kru - Terminator

Dev/Null - Dark Fours (Tim Reaper + Dwarde Remix)

DJ MC - Turn on Some Music

Quixosis - Burundanger 2 (Flore Remix)

Kelela - Washed Away x Photek - Complex (DJ Stefan Refix)