Blog Archives

Oct 04 2019

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

Comments: 0 | Posted by: DJ Center

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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Oct 30 2018

Sly5thAve X Sade X DJ Center

Comments: 0 | Posted by: 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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Aug 20 2017

See Line Woman (Afrobeat Version)

Comments: 0 | Posted by: DJ Center

*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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Jun 15 2017

DJ Center Remixes Setenta

Comments: 0 | Posted by: DJ Center

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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Apr 22 2015

Sly5thAve X Uptown Funk!

Comments: 0 | Posted by: DJ Center

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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Aug 13 2014

DJ Center’s 22Tracks London Takeover

Comments: 0 | Posted by: DJ Center

Center_PlaylistImage

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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Apr 15 2014

Dem Say Ah Vinyl + Digital Available Worldwide

Comments: 0 | Posted by: DJ Center

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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Apr 04 2014

Dem Say Ah Launch Party w. Rich Medina

Comments: 0 | Posted by: DJ Center

rich_dem_listening

Very happy to be coming together with Rich Medina + Manchildblack next Thursday, April 10th to celebrate my new “Dem Say Ah” record.

For this special edition of Lil Ricky’s Rib Shack, we’ll have a live PA performance from the legendary Afrobeat Ambassador, Kaleta! It all goes down at The303 at Louie and Chan.

9PM Doors, free before 10PM, $10 after. See yall on the dancefloor!

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Maurice vs Mobetta
Sep 16 2013

New Music: Misunderstood Pt. II (feat. Consequence, Saunders Sermens & Stimulus)

Comments: 0 | Posted by: DJ Center

Maurice vs Mobetta

Here’s a new tune I cut for Maurice “Mobetta” Brown feat. Consequence, Saunders Sermens and Stimulus (of the Real Live Show).

Mobetta and I often record together and it was a pleasure to produce for his upcoming album. A heavy weight cast, features from Talib Kweli, Consequence, Jean Grae, Prodigy, amongst others.

‘Maurice vs. Mobetta’ will be released on 10.8.13.

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Leave the City Outside (Chris Read Remix)
Jul 10 2012

Leave the City Outside (Chris Read Remix) – EP

Comments: 0 | Posted by: DJ Center

Leave the City Outside (Chris Read Remix)

I’m very happy to see this lovely remix effort get proper release worldwide today!

This remix trailed in just after we finalized the ‘Everything in Time Remixed’ album, but we loved it so much, a future release was inevitable.

The ‘Leave the City Outside (Chris Read Remix)’ EP highlights work from the London based DJ/Producer/Radio 1xtra Host and BBE compilation recording artist, Chris Read.

The EP features Oddisee on vocals and instrumentals of both the original and the remix versions are available with the digital album.

Get the goods here.

 

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DJ Center - Everything In Time Remixed
Oct 25 2011

‘Everything in Time Remixed’ is Here

Comments: 1 | Posted by: DJ Center

DJ Center - Everything In Time Remixed

It’s here! After previewing select remixes for the last couple of months, I’m happy to announce that ‘EVERYTHING IN TIME REMIXED’ has officially arrived (and with some good words to compliment)!

The album features choice selections from my debut record, re-imagined by a crew of some of my favorite producers-
DJ Spinna, Waajeed, J.Rawls, DJ OBaH, Captain Planet and Applejac, amongst others.

iTunes featured the album on the front of their R&B/Soul picks the day it dropped (thanks!). Check it out and let me know what you think of the different versions.  Plenty on there for you to enjoy.

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