Dance To The Music Mari Ella

Peter Adarkwah is the founder of the legendary London label BBE Music.

The label grew from the vibrant early 90’s club scene with its first release, Stop & Listen compiled by Dr Bob Jones in 1996, opening the door to iconic series’ such as All Back To Mine & Late Nite Tales.

A tonne of releases followed, ranging from Disco to Funk, Jazz to House. In the year 2000, the label celebrated Masters at Work’s 10th Anniversary with a mighty box set that featured near 80 tracks.

A year later BBE Music spawned the Beat Generation Series of artist albums, notably introducing J Dilla (Welcome 2 Detroit) & a young Will.I.Am‘s first solo outing, alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff, Madlib & DJ Spinna, all of whom contributed to this seminal set of long players.

A quarter of a century and well over 500 titles later, having worked with Mark Ronson, Roy Ayers, Questlove, Hugh Masekela, DJ Premier, Dimitri from Paris, Joey Negro, Kon, RZA, Laurent Garnier, Black Coffee, DJ Shadow, David Rodigan and John Moralesamong many others, BBE Music looks to the future, celebrating its rich heritage while continuing to release a bounty of fresh titles.

The label’s recent projects include an expansive reissue series from pioneering Nigerian label Tabansi, new imprint ‘Batakari’ in association with Boddhi Satva and the critically acclaimed ‘J Jazz’ Japanese Jazz multi-album project, not to mention the recent landmark 500th label release: a brand new version of ‘Barely Breaking Even‘, featuring Leroy Burgess, Patrick Adams and Louie Vega.



www.bbemusic.com

https://www.instagram.com/bbeafrica/

https://bbemusic.bandcamp.com/



Recorded on March 8, 2024 in NYC.


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DONIS is a Dominican American DJ/Producer born and raised in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Their style is rooted in their city’s rich club culture legacy, often paying homage to the sounds of New York’s golden era while forging their own path of innovation and influence. In the DJ booth, they combine unsurpassable mixing skills with an innate ability to read the crowd, both responding to their desires while setting the sonic agenda. They explore a combination of Trans-Atlantic styles ranging from Deep House to Techno, Disco and Dembow. They have become well known in the New York underground scene playing parties for Papi Juice, Boiler Room, Dweller Festival and regularly playing at local venues like Le Bain, Elsewhere and Paragon. They have most recently worked as Music Supervisor for Head of State’s FW23 fashion show, scored 3 ads for Telfar, self released their debut EP Metamorphosis01 and has been shelling their residency at world renowned club Nowadays.



https://www.instagram.com/donis.bk/

https://donis.bandcamp.com/album/metamorphosis01

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3vllhB3sR2tTIJ61kxt4jV?si=72b6e9192d924b53&nd=1&dlsi=4c2262dffec64336



Recorded on 2.7.24 in LIC, Queens.

Hosted & Produced by Mari Ella


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Coflo brings a true dancer’s touch to house music. As a life long student of the American style of house dance and the Afro-Brazilian martial art Capoeira; Coflo looks to infuse his dance and movement experience into his musical productions. A true house head; he hopes to honor the beautiful culture and community that raised him in his home of the Bay Area in California, USA. In 2018 Coflo joined the American house music beacon Ocha Records as head of A&R and Label Manager for artist and owner Carlos “Casamena” Mena. It was at this time Coflo also began releasing as a staple artist on the Ocha talent roster. Originals and remixes spread quickly through DJs and collectors internationally with his breakout single “Stress Relief (Don’t fuck with me right now)” remixed by house music legend Osunlade. Coflo’s musical ideas caught the ears of Osunlade; bringing him to Yoruba Records initially as a remix artist and mastering engineer. In 2021, Coflo joined the official artist ranks on Yoruba Records with his debut collaboration “Soul 2 Souls” with SACRED H3ART. 2022 for Coflo was all about "Peanut Butter Lover," a track that stuck in clubs like, you guessed it, peanut butter! It's Coflo's signature: fun and honest in club music with an irresistible groove, earning love from DJ legends like Anané, Osunlade, and Louie Vega.Coflo's 2023 has been epic, remixing Ron Trent's "Black Magic Woman" for the fresh label "Sacred Medicine” crafted by the American house music pioneers Joe Claussell and Ron Trent. With a decade of hits across famous labels like T’s Box, Local Talk and Atjazz Record Company, he's not just a studio wizard; he's a DJ booth hero, known for his energetic beats and eclectic style. Coflo hopes to continue to bring a unique view from a dancer’s perspective to house music. Focusing on crafting something new and evolving with each passing release.



Instagram - http://instagram.com/coflothesoulshifter

Bandcamp - https://coflo.bandcamp.com/

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/5cyFgv39M8BX9gjW2czyMk

Twitch - https://twitch.tv/coflo_

Youtube - ⁠https://youtube.com/@co⁠flo



Recorded on 1.13.2024 in Fremont, California.



Hosted & Produced by Mari Ella


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Native to New York, musclecars is a DJ / Producer duo consisting of Brandon Weems and Craig Handfield. As musicians, they equally share an admiration for the art form. Their desire to blend genres and express their appreciation for music is focused around their community- the end goal is to bring people together. Through a regular stream of high quality mixes and multiple outstanding releases, they’re constantly turning heads in underground circles. In 2018 they launched ‘Coloring Lessons’, a party that was aimed to add value to their city’s nightlife culture. While the party and sound is not genre specific, it is heavily focused around house, disco, jazz, and soul, embracing the musical elements of their black and brown ancestors. The monthly party's intention is to bring New York City's dance music scene back to what it was during the golden era of NY nightlife. They aim to spread the music that has been influential to them, and share it with a younger generation of their peers.In 2020 the pair launched the label Coloring Lessons Records. The label, like the party, is intended on building up artists from their city and beyond, with the sound indicative of the Coloring Lessons ethos- which is sharing music created and inspired by their ancestors of color, and teaching younger generations about the roots of this music.












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DJ Spinna is an anomaly. As a world-renowned DJ, producer, remixer, label head, promoter, curator, and influencer-- Spinna has crafted his artistic vision since the 1990s. His musical spectrum spans all flavors-- from Hip-Hop [as founding member of The Jigmastas], to Soul and R&B [authoring remixes for Stevie Wonder and Mary J. Blige] to Jazz and Funk [reviving productions from Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd, Betty Carter, Al Jarreau, Eddie Kendricks] to Electronic/Dance and Soulful House [transforming Shaun Escoffery’s “Days Like This” into a worldwide dance floor anthem]. His prolific studio work led to his 2002 cult-classic LP, Here To There, released on the iconic BBE label. DJ Spinna is synonymous with ground-breaking, annual tribute events. Since 2001, “WONDER-Full” has celebrated the Guest of Honor, Stevie Wonder. “Soul Slam,” 20-years strong, is the authoritative Michael Jackson vs. Prince party. At Spike Lee’s “BK Loves MJ,” DJ Spinna commemorates Michael Jackson’s birthday in Brooklyn. In 2001, Motown tapped DJ Spinna for a brilliant remix of Michael Jackson’s “We’re Almost There.” DJ Spinna’s collaborations with Stevie Wonder include remixes for “My Love Is On Fire"  and “Sweetest Somebody.” In October 2012, Spinna performed an opening DJ set for Stevie Wonder’s United Nations Peace Concert. 

Spinna has blessed global dance floors across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the United States. Every week on Apple Music Hits, DJ Spinna’s “Here To There Radio” features two hours of themed selections that showcase his versatile expertise and massive vinyl collection. On Twitch, he has amassed 20,000 followers spinning live, marathon sets and interacting with his chatroom on two weekly shows, DJ Spinna Presents Journey and Galactic Quiet Storm. 

DJ Spinna is undoubtedly the master of all genres with over 1200 music credits. Whether spinning the classics or releasing new music, DJ Spinna’s passion, professionalism, prowess, and pure vibes are felt with every note. 



In this conversation DJ Spinna talks about his history, his early confirmation of him being in music, his first club experience, as well as his view on traditions when it comes to DJing and the advice he has for newer up-and-coming DJs.



www.djspinna.com



Recorded in Long Island City, Queens on September 13, 2023.



Hosted & produced by Mari Ella.



In partnership with Ladies of Hip Hop x Snipes studio.


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The New Jersey based producer, DJ and Strength label boss was referred to as "the dancer's DJ" in Resident Advisor's 2009 feature on the US east coast house renaissance, a title honestly earned given his background as a world traveling house dancer and resident at New York's esteemed HouseDanceConference. He's been steadily reinforcing that description ever since, with a well-received run of rhythmic, dark, stripped-down productions for his Strength Music imprint.

http://strengthmusicrecordings.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dj_qu/?hl=en-gb



Recorded on August 5, 2023 in Long Island City, Queens NY.



Hosted & produced by Mari Ella.

https://www.mari-ella.com/



In partnership with Ladies of Hip Hop x Snipes Studio.

https://www.ladiesofhiphop.com/thestudio.html


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dancetothemusic/support