DiverseCity Music is proud and extremely excited about the debut release for new artist, The Copasetic (DJ Afro and Manchildblack)! This release embodies the DiverseCity Music mission of working with an eclectic variety of singers, songwriters, DJ's and producers to create a wide range of fantastic music! "Far Away" is a stand-out Soulful Summer gem, with driving percussion and chilled hints of island breezes. "Dance With Me" has a cross over dance vibe, infused with R&B, House and Soul. Created by Venezuelan-born musician and producer DJ Afro, the songs also feature lyrics and vocals from New York's own Manchildblack, a growing legend in the New York underground dance scene and well beyond. The two met when DJ Afro was a special guest at ALMA NYC, a popular New York City event hosted by Manchildblack. The musical connection was instant, and the two have been collaborating on a series of songs ranging from beautiful acoustic ballads to soulful dance tracks occasionally sprinkled with a hint of rock - this is definitely one to check out!
EARLY FEEDBACK:
Can't get enough of the sun drenched, uplifting uber soulful "Far Away"- the deeply felt vocal, luscious melodies and smooth rhythms are simply wonderful... -Michael Fossati
Good mood house music! -Lars Behrenroth
Great package! Full support! Play it! -DJ Rork
Top quality label delivers yet another fantastic release with all the right elements on both the vocals and production tip. Quality! -Sammy Rock
Funky. . Love the Old School Synth stabs. Daz-I-Kue Remix bangs. -Jay-J Shifted Music
It's too long since I've heard house with a sweet groove like this!! Love it!! -Kiddo
Nice! -DJ Meme
Nice mixes! I'm feeling Dance With Me (Juan Laya & Jorge Montiel Remix). Great song and great work! -Julius the Mad Thinker
Hot stuff from DiverseCity Music- quality vocals and hottt remix package! -Groove Assassin
Far Away is the one I'll play. -Ralf Gum
Quality song and production. Support from our camp. - Tony Humphries
Hearing this record just makes you appreciate good house music. Supporting! -Abicah Soul
Great package! -Jask
Can never go wrong with a Manchildblack song! -Ian Friday
Far Away is beautiful. One of those feel good songs u don't hear too much anymore. Sounding great on my speakers here. Can't wait to play it out! -Master Kev
Real quality pack. I like Laya & Montiel remix of Dance With Me very much. Funk Funk Funk! -Fabio Tosti
Good vocal -Greg Fenton
Far Away is really nice! -Sarah Favouritizm
Good Tune -Benji Canderlario
Works for me. Original mix sounding cool! -Nick Power
Love the vocals- I have always been a fan of Manchildblack -DJ Pope
I will be absolutely rocking the Daz-I-Kue Remix! -Parrish James
Loving Far Away -Hippie Torrales
About DJ Afro (A.K.A. Jose Luis Pardo)
DJ Afro never intended to become a DJ. As a current member of the band Los Amigos Invisibles, he originally took on the task of playing a few records before the band%u2019s performances to set the tone before the show. He quickly discovered that he loved spinning, and began DJing at after parties following the band's gigs. Before he knew it, Jose Luis Pardo, now DJ Afro, was playing all over the world, in venues such as Shelter, Cielo, Pink, PS.1, Knitting Factory and many others. As DJ Afro was gaining success with his new found passion as a DJ, a good friend asked him if he was interested in producing as well. Afro was commissioned to do a remix of the song "Rolling" by the band Coughing, and his career as a remixer/producer began. In the years since, DJ Afro has produced remixes for a wide range of artists, including David Byrne, Fantastic Plastic Machine, Kinky, Dimitri from Paris, and more. Another fateful moment happened for DJ Afro at a party featuring Little Louie Vega. "When I moved to New York I became a regular of Louie Vega's parties, I chased him down (I was that guy that annoys the DJ when he is picking up all his stuff to go home), I pushed him in to making a record for Los Amigos Invisibles, we hit it off and started working together." DJ Afro describes his experience working with Louie: "No university could have taught me what I have learned with him". Today, DJ Afro is a successful musician, DJ, remixer and producer, always open to what the world will bring him next.
About Manchildblack
The name Manchild may conjure up memories of Claude Brown's searing novel, Manchild in the Promised Land, but it has quite a different history for the man himself. "I was born Derek Deeocie Gentry," Manchild confesses "but a Rastaman I knew during my time in D.C. would call me 'Manchild.' He never explained why, but when I started doing music I decided the name fit who I was musically and epitomized what I was singing about. A proponent of what he calls "Global Soul"- an amalgamation of soulful melodies over dance rhythms from Africa, Brazil and the Caribbean, Manchildblack brings to the music world uplifting and socially conscious lyrics, a bohemian sense of style, and a warm and inviting spirit that illuminates every stage he graces.
A native New Yorker, Manchild launched his musical career with the band Urban Folklore, but soon felt he needed to express himself in a different way. "I was beginning to write material that was more introspective and not necessarily appropriate for the group," he explains. The audience reaction to his solo debut a month later convinced him that he had made the right decision. "That night I knew that I was finally doing what I was supposed to be doing and reaching people the way I knew I should be reaching them," Manchild states. Soon after he was performing to packed audiences at such notable venues as Blue Note, BAM Cafe, Joe's Pub, Sugar Bar, Symphony Space and even Central Park Summerstage. In 2006, Manchildblack was signed to legendary record label West End Records, releasing the critically acclaimed Awake in a Dream EP. The first single "To the Sky" aired frequently on BET J network, introducing Manchild's music and style to the masses. Manchild soon had his music on the play lists of such internationally respected DJs as Louie Vega, Gilles Peterson, Bobbito Garcia and Rich Medina.
Manchildblack has continued on his musical journey as a successful New York event producer, having worked with the monthly Neo-Brazilian Fusion party ALMA NYC, and Libation, the bi-weekly event he created with Global Soul DJ/producer Ian Friday. "Doing parties is just an extension of what I do musically. Libation was the official after party for FELA! The Off-Broadway Musical and co-produced FELABRATION in honor of the birthday of musical icon Fela Kuti. "I love producing events just as much as creating music. The music played and vibe created is meant to make people feel good - and that's the same reason I do music."
CREDITS:
Produced by: Dj Afro
Written By: Jose Luis Pardo, Derek Deeocie Gentry
Published by: Jose Luis Pardo Publishing Designee, Manchild's Mind Music (ASCAP)
Recorded and mixed by Dj Afro at Gozadera Studios, Brooklyn, NY
Mastered by/at: Eduardo Larez @ Visionear, CA
Visit us at our website: www.diversecitymusic.com
Also visit:
http://elafro.com/
http://www.manchildblack.com/
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/LikeDiversecityMusic
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dj-Afro/109035145786438
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Manchildblack/7158206271
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/diversecity_dcm
http://twitter.com/djafro
http://twitter.com/Manchildblack
For inquiries, please send email to:
info@diversecitymusic.com
(p) & c 2010 Goddess Entertainment, Inc.
EARLY FEEDBACK:
Can't get enough of the sun drenched, uplifting uber soulful "Far Away"- the deeply felt vocal, luscious melodies and smooth rhythms are simply wonderful... -Michael Fossati
Good mood house music! -Lars Behrenroth
Great package! Full support! Play it! -DJ Rork
Top quality label delivers yet another fantastic release with all the right elements on both the vocals and production tip. Quality! -Sammy Rock
Funky. . Love the Old School Synth stabs. Daz-I-Kue Remix bangs. -Jay-J Shifted Music
It's too long since I've heard house with a sweet groove like this!! Love it!! -Kiddo
Nice! -DJ Meme
Nice mixes! I'm feeling Dance With Me (Juan Laya & Jorge Montiel Remix). Great song and great work! -Julius the Mad Thinker
Hot stuff from DiverseCity Music- quality vocals and hottt remix package! -Groove Assassin
Far Away is the one I'll play. -Ralf Gum
Quality song and production. Support from our camp. - Tony Humphries
Hearing this record just makes you appreciate good house music. Supporting! -Abicah Soul
Great package! -Jask
Can never go wrong with a Manchildblack song! -Ian Friday
Far Away is beautiful. One of those feel good songs u don't hear too much anymore. Sounding great on my speakers here. Can't wait to play it out! -Master Kev
Real quality pack. I like Laya & Montiel remix of Dance With Me very much. Funk Funk Funk! -Fabio Tosti
Good vocal -Greg Fenton
Far Away is really nice! -Sarah Favouritizm
Good Tune -Benji Canderlario
Works for me. Original mix sounding cool! -Nick Power
Love the vocals- I have always been a fan of Manchildblack -DJ Pope
I will be absolutely rocking the Daz-I-Kue Remix! -Parrish James
Loving Far Away -Hippie Torrales
About DJ Afro (A.K.A. Jose Luis Pardo)
DJ Afro never intended to become a DJ. As a current member of the band Los Amigos Invisibles, he originally took on the task of playing a few records before the band%u2019s performances to set the tone before the show. He quickly discovered that he loved spinning, and began DJing at after parties following the band's gigs. Before he knew it, Jose Luis Pardo, now DJ Afro, was playing all over the world, in venues such as Shelter, Cielo, Pink, PS.1, Knitting Factory and many others. As DJ Afro was gaining success with his new found passion as a DJ, a good friend asked him if he was interested in producing as well. Afro was commissioned to do a remix of the song "Rolling" by the band Coughing, and his career as a remixer/producer began. In the years since, DJ Afro has produced remixes for a wide range of artists, including David Byrne, Fantastic Plastic Machine, Kinky, Dimitri from Paris, and more. Another fateful moment happened for DJ Afro at a party featuring Little Louie Vega. "When I moved to New York I became a regular of Louie Vega's parties, I chased him down (I was that guy that annoys the DJ when he is picking up all his stuff to go home), I pushed him in to making a record for Los Amigos Invisibles, we hit it off and started working together." DJ Afro describes his experience working with Louie: "No university could have taught me what I have learned with him". Today, DJ Afro is a successful musician, DJ, remixer and producer, always open to what the world will bring him next.
About Manchildblack
The name Manchild may conjure up memories of Claude Brown's searing novel, Manchild in the Promised Land, but it has quite a different history for the man himself. "I was born Derek Deeocie Gentry," Manchild confesses "but a Rastaman I knew during my time in D.C. would call me 'Manchild.' He never explained why, but when I started doing music I decided the name fit who I was musically and epitomized what I was singing about. A proponent of what he calls "Global Soul"- an amalgamation of soulful melodies over dance rhythms from Africa, Brazil and the Caribbean, Manchildblack brings to the music world uplifting and socially conscious lyrics, a bohemian sense of style, and a warm and inviting spirit that illuminates every stage he graces.
A native New Yorker, Manchild launched his musical career with the band Urban Folklore, but soon felt he needed to express himself in a different way. "I was beginning to write material that was more introspective and not necessarily appropriate for the group," he explains. The audience reaction to his solo debut a month later convinced him that he had made the right decision. "That night I knew that I was finally doing what I was supposed to be doing and reaching people the way I knew I should be reaching them," Manchild states. Soon after he was performing to packed audiences at such notable venues as Blue Note, BAM Cafe, Joe's Pub, Sugar Bar, Symphony Space and even Central Park Summerstage. In 2006, Manchildblack was signed to legendary record label West End Records, releasing the critically acclaimed Awake in a Dream EP. The first single "To the Sky" aired frequently on BET J network, introducing Manchild's music and style to the masses. Manchild soon had his music on the play lists of such internationally respected DJs as Louie Vega, Gilles Peterson, Bobbito Garcia and Rich Medina.
Manchildblack has continued on his musical journey as a successful New York event producer, having worked with the monthly Neo-Brazilian Fusion party ALMA NYC, and Libation, the bi-weekly event he created with Global Soul DJ/producer Ian Friday. "Doing parties is just an extension of what I do musically. Libation was the official after party for FELA! The Off-Broadway Musical and co-produced FELABRATION in honor of the birthday of musical icon Fela Kuti. "I love producing events just as much as creating music. The music played and vibe created is meant to make people feel good - and that's the same reason I do music."
CREDITS:
Produced by: Dj Afro
Written By: Jose Luis Pardo, Derek Deeocie Gentry
Published by: Jose Luis Pardo Publishing Designee, Manchild's Mind Music (ASCAP)
Recorded and mixed by Dj Afro at Gozadera Studios, Brooklyn, NY
Mastered by/at: Eduardo Larez @ Visionear, CA
Visit us at our website: www.diversecitymusic.com
Also visit:
http://elafro.com/
http://www.manchildblack.com/
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/LikeDiversecityMusic
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dj-Afro/109035145786438
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Manchildblack/7158206271
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/diversecity_dcm
http://twitter.com/djafro
http://twitter.com/Manchildblack
For inquiries, please send email to:
info@diversecitymusic.com
(p) & c 2010 Goddess Entertainment, Inc.
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