Where are you from?
I am from Barcelona (SPAIN) and I came to live in NYC in 2008.
How long have you been djing ?
It is hard to say because I started when I was a kid, deleting the tapes of my older brothers with a double cassette recorder to do my own megamixes. When I was 13, I bought my first turntables with the money I saved working on saturdays helping my uncle carry washing machines. They were Akiyama turntables, and the pitch was a wheel! My professional career started around 1994- in Barcelona those years you could work almost every night, everywhere.
What makes playing 45’s special to you?
I love vinyl, it sounds better and they are also easy to carry. I think 45s are a nice alternative in the digital djs era.
Is New York good for finding the 45’s you play?
No, it is a lottery, unfortunately the majority of records stores that still open in NYC dont specialize in 45s and just have a few boxes, but I have met some private sellers and they sometimes have good stuff. Also, at records fairs like WMFU I spend some money too.
What are some titles you are still looking for?
I’m looking for the years and good prices for two 45s from the Speed Records label:
SP-1004 The Latin Blues Band “Pussycat / Take a Trip”
SP-1016 Tony Middleton & Bobby Matos “Return to Spanish Harlem / Already Satisfied”
And the other one I am looking for I saw once in the bag of a dj from Scotland-it is a rare Phillipine edition on 45,
Ray Terrace ¨You´ve Been Talking ´Bout Me Baby¨.
Tell us about your Boogaloo Monthly with Fania Records, How did it start & how long has it been going on?
I started this monthly Boogaloo! party in January 2011, for my birthday. It’s a very personal night where I try to keep the latin boogaloo alive with live music and guest djs spinning vinyl from late 50s and late 60s.
Why do you specialize in Boogaloo?
I like Boogaloo because I love soul, Rhythm and Blues and Latin music, I also was a big fan of the 90s Big Beat, like the early Fat Boy Slim and Bentley Rhythm Ace. The latin boogaloo is a similar concept, different melodies and rhythms in the same track. The latin boogaloo is music for parties and having fun, and was born in NY.
What are some of the artists in the genre you have played with?
I have played and shared the stage with living legends such as Johnny Colon, Larry Harlow and Joe Bataan. I have a very good relationship with the producer Harvey Averne, who comes to my party regularly and supports my job. Another living legend, Bobby Valentin, called me ¨Mr Boogaloo¨ recently. I was very proud of that!!
What are some other cities that have a boogaloo scene?
Well, there are bands and djs from around the world who love this music, but it is still a little bit underground. Bands like Boogaloo Assassins in California, Spanglish Fly in NY, Ray Lugo and the Boogaloo Destroyers, Paz Antiguana in France, Los Charly´s Orchestra in UK, The Latin Swingers in Japan are modern bands that keep this sound alive with original songs.
In the US, DJs like Bongohead and McBoing Boing and Oliver Wang keep this music alive at parties and on blogs, the Lets Boogaloo parties in Italy by Recordskicks, Vampisoul records parties in Spain, and of course a lot of boogaloo djs and nights in UK, France and Japan. And don’t forget also Latin America, specially Mexico and Colombia.
Tell us about your summer stage events this summer & how did you hook up with Joe Bataan?
I’m very excited about this SummerStage event with Joe Bataan and The Boogaloo Assassins on July 31, because it is part of the Fania Records 50th anniversary events this summer and I am very glad to be part of that! It is also the second time I am sharing the stage with Joe Bataan at SummerStage-he is an incredible artist, musician and an excellent person. Joe is like his music, sweet and soulful.
I also want to tell you that my Boogaloo! parties this summer are part of the ‘Armada Fania’ series, and I am very happy to have Ray Lugo at Nublu on Fri. July 11, and The Boogaloo Assassins on Fri. Aug.1. I will spin at the ¨We Like It Like That¨ Movie premiere afterparty with Boogaloo Assassins at SOB´s on July 30. This will be a great night because this documentary film from journalist/filmmaker Mathew Warren is the first documentary about the history of latin boogaloo! Lastly, I am also playing some nights at the new music spot Meridian 23 as part of the Fania anniversary summer events.
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