Blog Archives

Pre-Order: Dem Say Ah (Akoya Re-Rub)

Back for the first time in 5 years and with a live remix to boot, the Afrobeat infused scorcher, Dem Say Ah returns, the 7-inch way!

Since it’s original version first dropped, the record has been a secret weapon to DJs like Bobbito Garcia, Nightmares on Wax, Mitsu the Beats and Gilles Peterson, among others!

Fast forward to 2019 and DJ Center returns with Akoya Afrobeat, recording the ‘Re-Rub’ mix straight to 2″ tape at Electric Garden Studios in Brooklyn, NY. The record was mixed by Grammy award winning engineer, Ben Kane ( D’angelo’s Black Messiah ).

Each drum heavy ’45 comes in a ‘one of a kind’ hand stamped sleeve. Grab one before they’re gone and see what dem say!

 

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DJ Center Remixes Setenta

Setenta - Da Manha (DJ Center Remix)

We’re happy to share a brand new DJ Center remix of Setenta, the Latin Soul group from Paris, out today! The original song appears on their latest album, Paris to Nueva-York, which features the legendary Joe Bataan.

For this dance floor version, Center created a feel-good, soulful house dub, collaborating with Nikhil P. Yerawadekar (of Antibalas/Akoya Afrobeat/Low Mentality) and percussionist, Kofi Hunter. The track is mixed by DJ Spinna (who also mixed Center’s Dem Say Ah release).

We think this tune may just make your summer soundtrack that much nicer. Listen below and cop direct from the artist at Bandcamp.

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Roots + Soul December

Roots & Soul

What a joy it’s been presenting Roots & Soul to NYC on a monthly basis!

Since it’s conception, Center’s guests have included Rich Medina, Bobbito Garcia aka Kool Bob Love, Ian Head, Underground System and the funky sangin’ Vinia Mojica. Jimmy Lopez has kept the percussion pocket funky, alongside Center eclectic crates on those nights! It’s been a soulful music lovers paradise.

This month we welcome the genius of composer, producer, arranger and all around bad man on the winds, Sly5thAve, along with his 11-piece Clubcasa Chamber Orchestra! To make the cypher complete, the legendary DJ Spinna joins Center and together they will be taking the dancefloor everywhere possible, no limits! It’s about Roots & Soul!

You’ll know it’s right when this one drops on 12/19, courtesy of the Clubcasa Chamber Orchestra –

 

 

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NYC Say AHHH w. Akoya Afrobeat (Live) + DJ Spinna

NYC SAY AHHH

NYC! We got reason to celebrate! Join me and the crew for an evening of LIVE music and vibes start to finish on Friday, May 9th at 9PM.

In the building we’ll have Akoya Afrobeat (14-piece ensemble) performing live, DJ Spinna, El Siete (warming things up) and yours truly on the wheels all night strong.

This all happens at the gorgeous new venue that is Merdian23 in Manhattan.

One night only, see yall on the dancefloor!

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Dem Say Ah Vinyl + Digital Available Worldwide

Dem Say Ah Vinyl

Ecstatic to announce that my new record, ‘Dem Say Ah’ featuring Akoya Afrobeat, is available worldwide now!

Straight Afrobeat/Afro House dancefloor bizness, mixed by the legendary DJ Spinna!

For folks that are looking for the digital version, iTunes got you covered here.

For my people who want to hold and feel the vibrations off the limited edition vinyl, check for that gold wax on Bandcamp here.

Enjoy, spread love + music!

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DJ Center- You Got the Love feat Gretchen Parlato (Sam Champ Remix)

DJ Center - Everything In Time Remixed

Today is the first in a series of free downloads from the forthcoming, Everything in Time Remixed project, coming to your digital player this October.

Remixes are always refreshing to me as I get to see how other folks re-interpret the works. An all-star remix cast formed over the course of the last year to re-work songs from Everything in Time. That lineup included- DJ Spinna, Waajeed, J.Rawls, DJ OBaH, Sam Champ, Captain Planet, DJ Eleven and others.

You Got the Love” is one of my favorite Rufus and Chaka Khan tunes and Gretchen Parlato and I had a ball paying tribute with our cover of the song from my LP. Now, Sam Champ brings a completely unique and lovely flavor to the song on his remix. Get it for free for the next week below.

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DJ Center + DJ Spinna – In a Song Release Party Download

DJ Spinna + DJ Center in the Crates

* DJ Spinna + DJ Center Photo by Joe Villa for RULE4080.com

Late last March, DJ Spinna and I got together in NYC to celebrate the vinyl release of “In a Song” from the “Everything in Time” album.

Folks came out to boogie with us in the outrageous space that is Mono+Mono.  Loft ceilings, vintage wood detail, photos of Jazz legends, analog equipment and a backdrop of 30,000 LPs provided the warm canvas for the music that night.

As our way of saying thank you, you’ll find each of our DJ sets from that night, ready for download below.

If you couldn’t make the jam that night, Daniel Littlewood and Charis Shafer captured some of the visuals in the video. Enjoy!

DJ Center – Live at Mono+Mono, NYC (Download)

DJ Spinna – Live at Mono+Mono, NYC (Download)


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The Making of the Vinyl – “In a Song (DJ Spinna Remix)” 12″

In true “frolaboration”, the folks at Frolab take us through the process of how the vinyl you hold in your hands came to be- from footage of Middle Child singing acoustic to the DJ Spinna remix, it’s all there- the 12″ cover photo shoot, footage at the pressing plant of the record being made and DJ Spinna dropping originals at his Thingamajig Studio in Brooklyn, New York. Check it out!

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‘In a Song (DJ Spinna Remix)’ – Vinyl Available Today

Spinna

* Photos by Anthony Demby for Humble Riot

Today is a special day- what seems like a secret that we’ve been giddy about and keeping quiet since mid October of last year (when Spinna delivered his mix), gets to fly out and greet the world today, in probably the greatest and purest musical form- a warm piece of 12″ Vinyl.

To me, it’s come full circle- my Spinna crates are THICK, packed with the dopest remixes and banging originals from the Beyond Real architect from the last two decades. I remember always glancing at my record library and noticing that Spinna’s productions took up a whole crate by themselves!

So to receive a taylor-made remix that falls in pocket with any of his greatest work, is a blessing!  As soon as I heard the the track I was immediately brought back to his classic Composition Series and remixes for De La Soul, Das Efx and Mobb Deep, from the ’90s. That was the feeling, but the programming and sounds were updated to now. So I guess the “Back from the Future” title he gave the mix is quite appropriate.

Big thanks to FroLab for lacing the incredible art work you see on the package, Footlong Development for making it possible, Middle Child for saaaaangin(!!!) and to DJ Spinna, for doin’ it like no other.

VINYL only release, available online here

Spinna - In a Song Remix

DJ Center – In a Song (DJ Spinna Back From The Future Remix) by DJCenter

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