Antonio Ocasio :: DJ / Producer
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.
Example of works from 1998 - Present
WNYU FM New York City (radio show)
TRIBAL WINDS (Planet 28) New York City
LEGENDS (Club Life) New York City
KARMA (Vinyl) New York City
SHELTER (Vinyl) New York City
BODY & SOUL (Vinyl) New York City
DANCE PROMISE (Demarreras) New York City
BANG THE PARTY New York City
NYC
A/R FM Japan (Radio)
AFRORICAN VIBE (Fluid) Pennsylvania
THE ARTIST GROVE New York City (Internet Radio Show)
DANCE THERAPY Canada
SOLID GARAGE Canada
ANDALU Washington, DC
LOVE Bazaar New York City
CLUB MONDO Spain
LUX Portugal
CITY COUNTRY Pennsylvania
PS1 MOMA New York City
CLUB CANDELA Puerto Rico
DEEP SEE NYC
MUTANT DISCO Estonia
CLUB KERMA Finland + Estonia
CLUB GURU Greece
CLUB OLEO Puerto Rico
BANG THE PARTY New York City
IN THE JUNGLE Norway
CLUB BALUX Greece
CALOR California
DEVOTION California
DEEP SPACE (Cielo) New York City
SUENO (Madame X) New York City
CLUB 5 Washington, DC
THE LOFT (Straight No Chaser) Arizona
INNERDANCE Germany
ALMA (Sullivan Room) New York City
JUST DANCE (Element) New York City
LIFE California
ONE HAPPY CLOUD Greece
CASABLANCA SOUL Greece
FUTURE HISTORY OF HOUSE Texas
INSPIRATION California
SPIRITUAL Maryland
CLUB VOID Greece
IN TOO DEEP (Sullivan Room) New York City
FUNK BOX (Sullivan Room) New York City
DISCOGRAPHY
September 1998 “Una Celebracion de Vida / A Celebration of Life" (Tribal Winds)
“Wave, Expose Your Soul” by Gabrielle Roth & the Mirrors (Antonio’s Remix) (Tribal Winds)
February 1999 “Happy Joyous & Free” (Tribal Winds)
August 1999 “Azande” (Africa Nueva Mix + Kieleek’s Groove Mix) (Tribal Winds)
“Enamorandose” (Dreamy Mix) (Tribal Winds)
November 1999 “Agua de Coco… Bien Dulce / Sweet Coconut Water” (Tribal Winds)
March 2000 “Inner Dance” (Tribal Winds)
“Romance en el Barrio” (Tribal Winds)
June 2000 “With A Lil’ Help from my Friends – Vol. 1” (Tribal Winds)
“Mamoska” Vinnie Colaiuta ft. Herbie Hancock
“Paque Gozen”
“Raices/Roots Music from the Heart” (Tribal Winds)
“Raices/Roots Music from the Heart” (Tribal Winds)
November 2000 “Whisper Loudly” (Wave Music)
January 2001 “Enamorandose” Original Mix (Tribal Winds)
March 2001 “Rizmo Puro/Pure Rhythm” (Tribal Winds)
“Fenix Fantasy” Volume 3 (Tribal Winds)
April 2001 “Mocha Latina” (Tribal Winds)
July 2001 “Raices/Roots- Music from the Heart” (Abum in Vinyl/CD format) (Tribal Winds)
“The Dream Lives On” ft. Annette Taylor (Tribal Winds)
October 2001 “Sunsplash” (Tribal Winds)
November 2001 “Nica’s Dream” Antonio Remix (Foreplay Records Japan)
February 2002 “Introspection Volume 1” (Tribal Winds)
“Baba Le’Seka” ft. Emilio Baretto (Tribal Winds)
May 2002 “Introspection Volume 2” (Tribal Winds)
June 2002 “Prayer for All EP” Doruk Ozlen (Tribal Winds)
January 2003 “Tierra Mia” w/Dennis Perez (Ibadan Records)
May 2003 “Organic Energy” ft. Jainardo Batista (Kenlou Records)
July 2003 “Amazona Corazon de Brazil” ft. Ana Lucia Perreira (Tribal Winds)
September 2000 “Eesti” (Tribal Winds)
November 2003 Brazilica “Elevators” (Antonio’s Calor Remix) (Tribal Winds)
February 2004 “Echu Aye” ft. Amma & Emilio (Tribal Winds)
“Forward/Pa Lante” (Wave Music)
July 2004 “Still Here” Antonio’s Calor remix (Counterpoint Records)
“Amor Puro/Pure Love” (Tribal Winds)
August 2004 “Fabulous” (Counterpoint Records)
January 2005 “Shianne” (Shelter Records)
May 2005 “Cantante” Erik Moliere w/Antonio’s Calor Remix (Tribal Winds)
December 2005 “Below the Underground” (Ibadan Records)
February 2006 “Live” ft. Jannae Jordan (Tribal Winds)
“Higher Love" ft. Mustafa Akbar (Counterpoint Records)
April 2006 “Papago Morning” Joe DiPadova (Tribal Winds)
May 2006 “Culvas” Louie ‘Balo’ Guzman (Tribal Winds)
May 2006 “Spirit Rise” ft. Manchildblack (Tribal Winds)
June 2006 “Iberial & Praia da Luz” Ludovic Allen (Tribal Winds)
October 2006 With A Lil’ Help From My Friends – Vol. 3
“The Name Game” Antonio Ocasio w/Louie ‘Balo’ Guzman (Tribal Winds)
November 2006 Praful “Underworld” Antonio’s Calor Remix (Tribal Winds)
February 2007 With A Lil’ Help from my Friends – Vol. 4
“Silent” Doruk Ozlen
“Get up” Antonio Ocasio
January 2008 “2 Worlds” Antonio Ocasio & Doruk Ozlen (Tribal Winds)
July 2009 “Joaquin” (Tribal Winds)
September 2009 “After the Rain” ft. Antoinette Ocasio (Tribal Winds)
March 2010 “Liquid Sunshine EP” (Tribal Winds)
1. Liquid Sunshine
2. My Fallen Brother
3. Abuyera (Calor Instrumental Mix)
4. Nuff Said ft. Daddy-O
June 2010 “One Dream, OUR Dream” ft. Antoinette Ocasio (Tribal Winds)
December 2010 “Time” Anthony K. (Antonio Remix) (Tribal Winds)
April 2011 “Life’s Masterpiece” - Double CD (19 Songs)/5-Piece Vinyl Box Set (Tribal Winds)
