Blog Archives

Sly5thAve X Sade X DJ Center

Pre-order the new dance floor single from Sly5thAve + DJ Center, a cosmic soul version of Sade’s ‘Paradise’, re-imagined with a touch of samba flavor, featuring Rio de Janeiro‘s own, Thalma de Freitas!

This record is the beautiful collaborative effort between artists, including Indie 184, who painted the amazing cover you see.

We couldn’t be more excited for this record drop on November 9th! 200 Limited edition Pink vinyl 7″s are available (while they last) here !

 

 

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See Line Woman (Afrobeat Version)

*photo courtesy of Open Crates

There’s a song that hasn’t left my DJ bag since it was given to me on a CD-R, 14 years ago. That song is the Femm Nameless’ version of See Line Woman (also known as See Line), given to me by my friend Toli Nameless.

Their version of Nina Simone’s classic has burned up my dance floor for years and I always thought it was a bit bittersweet because it was a tune that no one (other than a select few DJs) had access to. AND…it never had a life on vinyl!

So, with some careful planning, my sibling label Kooyman Records decided to press this dance floor monster onto a heavy weight 10″. Black or Red Vinyl? You choose. Living in a digital world? Then, have a listen to the joints at your prefered digital shop.

Revisiting the recording sessions with Toli, I learned that she wrote the b-side Talk Da Shit with Tom Brenneck of the Dapkings and penned Deaf Ears (Instrumental Dub) with Ernesto Abreau, formerly of Antibalas. The entire record was recorded in East Flatbush, Brooklyn by Sydney Mills of Steel Pulse. They truly captured some magic in these sessions and empowered more than a few female musicians along the way!

Still, more than just being incredible music, cut by an all Female band, this record is a time capsule into the Brooklyn Afrobeat scene, 14 years ago. A true piece of NYC history for your ears to now hear…

-DJ Center


 

 

 

 

 

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Sly5thAve X Kendrick Lamar X Major Lazer

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Brand new and good for you too!

Following the success of their Uptown Funk! vinyl debut,  Sly5thAve and The ClubCasa Chamber Orchestra return with gorgeous brass versions of Kendrick Lamar and Major Lazer classics!

Sly’s version of Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe completely smashed the internet when it dropped, garnering thousands of plays and nods from the likes of Gilles Peterson of the BBC, amongst others. Now available for the first time, mastered and pressed onto thick, beautiful, collectors vinyl, with an unreleased studio version of Major Lazer’s Get Free.

Listen and purchase the limited edition vinyl or digital release from Kooyman Records here.

 

 

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Sly5thAve X Uptown Funk!

Sly5thAve - Uptown Funk

DJ Center and Sly5thAve recently came together in the studio to bring home this dancefloor bomb featuring the ClubCasa Chamber Orchestra! Not new to giving popular songs new lives, Sly5thAve has created incredible orchestral arrangements of Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, J.Cole and Major Lazer numbers, to name a few.

This new version of Mark Ronson & Bruno Mar’s Uptown Funk is an Afro-Latin/Brazilian uptempo bullet aimed straight at any dancefloor worldwide! Don’t believe us, just watch!

Pre-order the limited edition 7″ color vinyl on Kooyman Records here.

 

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W Hotels X Push the Fader Exclusive DJ Mix #2

W Hotels X DJ Center

Here’s a bit of #TBT for you.

Back in 2011, DJ Center cut an exclusive mix for the W Hotels App for the iPhone. You can now revisit and download the previously unavailable mix on Center’s soundcloud page via the link below. We recently were bumpin’ the timeless mix and it sounds just as fresh as it did three years ago. Catch it!

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DJ Center’s 22Tracks London Takeover

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The music discovery service 22tracks recently approached DJ Center to curate a special takeover playlist for their London site.

Currently streaming, catch some of Center’s favorite grooves to help you ease out of the summer. Some serious speaker rattlin’ and body movin’ business here. Enjoy.

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Live In Oakland | Better Days 7.6.14

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Still getting settled from my recent run in California. Ended it on a HIGH note with a day time set in Oakland, alongside Rich Medina, Nina*Sol, Wonway, and DJ Platurn.

The vibe was outrageous!!!! Incase you weren’t in the Bay area July 4th weekend, I’ve uploaded my set for you here. Thank you Oakland, you were beautiful!

 

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In Session on The Bobbito Garcia Radio Show

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Got the call to fill in for Bobbito Garcia on East Village Radio yesterday, 12/9 and what a session it was!

Played beautiful records from Erykah Badu, Roy Ayers, Marc Mac & the Visioneers, Bosq of Whiskey Barons, Tall Black Guy, Lord Echo and DJ Day, amongst others!

It’s always an honor to fill Bob’s shoes and he called in three times during the program to comment on the treats and talk sh*t! Lots of laughs and vibes. Shout out to my brother Andrés!

Listen to the broadcast here

*playlist can be found here

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Kaleta on the Bobbito Garcia Radio Show

DJ Center on EVR

Was back on East Village Radio this week for the Bobbito Garcia Radio Show! Always an honor to fill Bob’s shoes and this week’s show was pretty special.

Sat down with Kaleta, the afrobeat ambassador behind Zozo and Akoya Afrobeat Ensembles. Talked with him about his musical upbringings playing with both King Sunny Adé and Fela Anikulapo Kuti, amongst others!

Then, played new/timeless music from D’Angelo, Quantic & Nidia Góngora, Louie Vega & Elements of Life, Kev Brown, Quadron and the Boogaloo Assassins!

Listen to the broadcast here

*playlist can be found here

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