The musical vibrations of Antonio Ocasio’s Tribal Winds thrives off of an infectious breed of raw Afro-Latin Jazz and deep house music. The heavy percussion and conga rhythms naturally speak to Antonio’s ancestral roots.
His years of experience as a Producer and DJ have led to a lethal combination of ingenious musicianship and aspiring productions. As a prominent storyteller, Antonio pays homage to his upbringing by spinning tales of musical tradition and experience, taking the dancer through peaks and valleys, building anticipation with every turn of the record.
This box set leads you to the core of Tribal Winds and provides evidence of Antonio’s devotion to his culture and love for music. Life’s Masterpiece is years in the making and a lifetime in its inception.
Antonio Ocasio: Life's Masterpiece (Release: April 2011)
Digital Download: www.traxsource.com
Box Set Contents:
Double CD Album
WATER :: FIRE (CD 1 of 2)
1. Liquid Sunshine - 5:38
2. El Ritmo de Latin America ft. Brazil Tres - 8:28
3. Yuri ft. El Indio - 10:20
4. I know Who I Am! ft. James Medina Jr. - 4:52
5. Do You Know Who You Are? ft. Quentin Harris - 4:37
6. Dust Yourself Off! - 7:16
7. Merengue after Midnight (Tech You Mix) - 7:24
8. Love, Love ft. Antoinette Ocasio - 7:38
9. Been So Long ft. Mustafa Akbar - 7:08
10. Quimbara ft. Pablo Fierro - 5:10
EARTH :: AIR (CD 2 of 2)
1. Amazona (Rainforest Mix) ft. Ana Lucia Perreira - 6:32
2. Shianne Life’s Masterpiece ft. Annette Taylor (Loft Mix) - 10:11
3. Blessed ft. Samuel Wright - 8:55
4. Spirit Rise ft. Manchildblack - 9:54
5. Echu Aye ft. Ama & Emilio - 9:44
6. Higher Love ft. Mustafa Akbar - 7:56
7. Fabulous - 9:22
8. Organic Energy ft. Jainardo Batista (WEPA Remix) - 7:02
9. Tierra Mia (Antonio’s Boricua Remix) - 5:01
12” Single
A: Quimbara ft. Pablo Fierro
B: Been So Long ft. Mustafa Akbar
10” Single
A: I Know Who I Am! ft. James Medina Jr.
B: Do You Know Who You Are? ft. Quentin Harris
12” Single
Live ft. Jannae Jordan
12” Single
The Dream Lives On ft. Annette Taylor
12” Single
Azande
Bonus 12” Single
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Antonio Ocasio grew up in the South Bronx where the neighborhoods were thriving with a rich sound in music including the African American and Puerto Rican/Latino culture. The combination and sometimes integration of both cultures made an excellent arena for Antonio to have a broad and rich musical experience. “There was always music playing in our home. My mother would have the music playing while she cleaned, cooked and during regular weekend gatherings with family and friends to socialize and play dominoes (My mother was a champ in dominoes). “
At a very early age, his older brother exposed Antonio to the music of Carlos Santana. “I was instantly hooked on his music and he has been a major musical influence in my life."
In 1972, Antonio met a neighborhood DJ by the name of Rookie. "He basically took me under his wing and not only was he teaching me the art of mixing but also allowing me to play with him at parties. I was just a boy but I remember one day Grandmaster Flash walked into the bedroom, where Rookie had his setup, so that Rookie could show him how to mix. We also played music at public parks. This is a very important aspect of the underground music scene that is rarely mentioned, but it was an integral part of the movement.”
During his upbringing in the South Bronx, Antonio was exposed to several genres of music especially the old Latin Boleros, Latin Jazz, African rhythms (Yoruba religion/Santeria), Soul, Funk, Disco, Gospel and Rap. As a teenager, Antonio started to drift towards the disco/funk/soulful and jazz sound. He especially remembers getting into rap music as it was being developed right in the neighborhood he grew up in. "We would hang out in the project hallways and while we banged on the walls with our hands or whatever we had to make music, the fellas would just make up rhymes. In 1972, at age 12, I bought my first records, Chakachas and Jungle Fever. Despite us being very poor, I begged my mother for money to buy records. I have not stopped buying records since.”
Antonio is the proud owner of an extensive record collection which thoroughly covers: Latin, Latin Jazz, all eras of Jazz, Disco, Soul, Funk, Dance & World Sounds. "Today I am open minded to seeking all kinds of music. My main focus is how the music makes me feel. I listen to the message and the story the music presents, especially in instrumental songs. I don't believe a song has to have words to tell a story."
Around 1974-75, although under-age, he managed to get into many of the New York clubs (Bonds International, Latin Times, Starship Enterprise, Electric Circus, to name just a few). For the most part, he religiously went to The Loft, The Garage and The Funhouse weekly for many years. “I did not go to either one of those clubs to hang out with David Mancuso, Larry Levan or Jellybean Benitez. I went to listen to some dope music and dance. In 1974, when I first went to The Loft it cost $3.99. I practically grew up in The Loft and much of my dance/music roots & experiences are based there."
"I love to play jams that others, for whatever reason, do not play." Antonio credits his courage to present different music, although not popular or mainstream, to his love for music. "It takes courage not worry about clearing a floor. Yes, I play from the heart and truly believe that the music lover and dancer will connect and appreciate what I’m playing. I must say, If you want hear what everyone else is playing, I am not the one to come check out. I’m not going to play a jam just because everyone else is playing it. On the other hand, I welcome the music lover/dancer who knows their music and wants to hear all kinds of good, quality sounds and even get educated to some degree.”
In January of 1998, Antonio Ocasio developed his own label so not to compromise producing the music that was in his heart - hence Tribal Winds. In addition to his record label, his love and dedication to the music has given him the opportunity to DJ worldwide.
