Artist profile: Joaquin "Joe" Claussell

Third installment of artist profile brings you the legendary Joaquin Joe Claussell. Check out the bio, links and videos. Interview coming soon...

Joaquin "Joe" Claussell was born in Brooklyn in 1966 to a large and diverse Puerto Rican family with deep musical roots. Throughout his life, music was Joe's shelter, family, food, comfort, escape and love. His first exposure to DJing was in his own neighborhood at block association events. He hit the club and began collecting vinyl at the age of 15 and his passion for music and dance led him from Disco Inferno to CBGBs, the alternative Mudd Club, the more mainstream Underground, and the legendary Paradise Garage. While living in the East Village in the early 90s, he found and fell in love with the chill but stereo-technologically impressive record store Dance Tracks. He formed a friendship with the owner, which became the foundation of his musical career. Joe became the store’s DJ and called weekly parties that drew a diverse and increasingly devoted crowd of music lovers. Under the suggestion of the owner he began producing: and did his first remix “Over” and his produced first track "Awade,” which became an instant classic. Over time he learned the music business and eventually took over the store. In 1996 Joe launched his independent eclectic world house label "Spiritual Life Music" from the back of Dance Tracks, and around the same time over saw the birth of “Ibadan Records” with friend and executive producer Jerome Sydenham. The labels’ productions are fluid - with organic African, Brazilian, Latin and Middle Eastern Rhythms crossing over into Disco, Jazz, House, and Electronic music. He is intricately involved in every aspect of the production process: the music, writing, selection or creation of the visual art, and graphic design. Under his labels he has nourished and produced fledgling artists. His first release was "Nothing's Changed" by Ten City, followed by works from Jephté Guillaume, Mateo & Matos, Slam Mode, and Three Generations Walking. His own first fulllength album was "Language." Great artists and record labels have sought him out for collaboration and remixes of works by Femi Kuti, Herbie Hancock, Beth Orton, Steward Mathewman (Sade), Cassandra Wilson, Diana Ross, and Manuel Göttschin to name a few. His remixes have revived classics such as Hector Lavoe‘s Classic “Alejate;” Cesoria Evora’s “Sangue De Beirona.” Featured on TV programs such as “Sex In The City” Joe’s remix of “Nina Simone's “Feeling Good;” was single handedly responsible for the rebirth of the song, as well as the spawning of countless remakes. Also in 1996, Joe Claussell joined Francois K and Danny Krivit to play for the legendary “Body & Soul” Sunday afternoon dance party. For 6 years, music and dance lovers from NYC and around the world came every week religiously to experience the totally unique musical journey of Classic, World, Soul, Disco, Funk, and House. The tracks are brought to an infinitely higher level by the synergy of each DJ's unique of live performance artistry and the incredible creative and conscious crowd. For the last decade to present, Joe has been constantly playing music all over the world, remixing, producing, and branching out into other genres of the art world. While in New York He began the Sacred Rhythm Party, designed to bring House and live musicians together in an intimate environment. Soon to come will be his first Internet radio show titled “ an invitation to openness” a show based on the freedom of listening to what ever speaks to him at that moment, as opposed to being at the mercy of the listening audience. Joe contemplates humanity and its trends from a distant but touched perspective. He personally strives for spiritual and creative freedom, and encourages loved ones to tap into their own unique resources to build a society where art and individuality is nourished and celebrated. For people who want a deep introspective music journey to the soul - Joe's shows are a rare and coveted opportunity. His ability to connect with people who share his passion for the rhythms of life through a higher universal language, which keeps people intrigued into staying tuned while listening, dancing and evolving to his unique philosophy and deep rhythms. At present, Joe is involved in a host of different projects, but one can be rest assured that whether it’s his involvement in “Trembling Sensing Space” with theater director “Lidy Six.” Or his “Hammock House Africa Caribe” remix and production project for Fania/Codigo music, that not only is his heart and soul engraved in it, but each will communicate a unique language of their own - rhythms and ideas that can only come from someone who travels with as many sides of creativity as he has - all interesting enough to convert the unconverted, as well as continuing to keep those who thought they knew him on their toes and intrigued.

links for more info: http://www.sacredrhythmmusic.net/ and http://www.joeclaussell.net/