Cabana Recordings: family
Justin Imperiale - President / Producer / DJ
With the use of soulful style and a raw jazz feel, Justin Imperiale has created a distinct sound that manages to infuse life to those who have experienced his music. Justin Imperiale began his music career as a drummer. His passion for beats, rhythm and music eventually led him in front of a turntable in 1995 and since then, he found himself never looking back. In 2003, he began building his own recording studio as an outlet to start creating his own music. His natural skill as a DJ and his uncanny ability to create as a producer progressed to great heights and moved him towards creating his own record label, Cabana Recordings. Started in February 2005, Cabana Recordings have been instrumental in allowing Justin Imperiale to be able to reach out and share true life, funk, and soul through his music. Starting off with the release of the “Cabana WMC Sampler” for the 2005 Winter Music Conference in South Beach, Cabana Recordings made a name for itself with the house music aficionados. Original remix work in 2005 with Abicah Soul and Da Monkey Nutz built the momentum for the release of Justin Imperiale’s debut record,“Deeper Than” EP under his own label Cabana Recordings in 2006. This release set Cabana’s sound and good energy firmly in place, with its desire to explore influences that range anywhere from natural organic sounds to combining latin/ jazz and soul-infused aspects of house music. Justin Imperiale's strong second release "Piano Daze" featuring Jay Sebag (with remixes by Abicah Soul & Dom Navarra) in 2007 has quickly made noise internationally in such short time. This musically sophisticated piano track generated such great international interest it propelled Imperiale to create his debut album, “Stereophonic”, which was signed and exclusively released in Japan by the record label, ToysFactory, the same label who released internationally recognized names such as The Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, Green Day, and even some of Imperiale’s favorite artists such as The Avalanches and Kenny Dope. The recent attention has also led to the licensing and inclusion of Imperiale’s tracks in excellent house compilations released by ClubStar in Germany (“Deep House 4th Chapter”) and Concept Music/SuSu in UK (“SuSu-The Other Side of Midnight”), with Imperiale’s name appearing alongside his inspirations like Kenny Dope, Louie Vega, Kerry Chandler and Jovonn, to name a few. Now officially an international artist, Justin Imperiale’s music can be heard worldwide, allowing the house music community to mark this artist/dj/producer as one to definitely watch. In the United States, Justin’s music has been recently featured on New York City’s Premier Jazz Radio Station CD101.9, “The Groove Boutique” with Rafe Gomez. Justin Imperiale is based in New Jersey. However, his quest to share his music takes him beyond his home as he is known to move crowds at guest spots and Cabana parties all over NJ, NY, Miami and Chicago. Not one to rest on his laurels, Justin Imperiale is already hard at work with continuing to forward Cabana Recordings closer to its vision of having multi-talented artists produce music as well as have musicians bring the Cabana music to life by playing live music that is inspired by different musical influences that knows of no cultural boundaries. With this spectacular vision in mind for himself and for his label, one can expect much from Justin Imperiale in the near future as he continues to persevere and achieve greatly beyond the limits of his musicianship and creativity.
Marcelo Cruz - Producer/DJ
It all started in 2002 Deepnsound recordings was born in Montreal, Quebec out of an idea of making music that was deep, Latin, afro, organic and it all made perfect sense to it’s creator Marcelo Cruz. The sound was to be an extension of his many years of DJ and his passion for the art of music. DJ Cruz was a known DJ around Montreal, playing mainly the underground clubs with his chill out style of house music. He had been a DJ for over a decade and producing just made sense. He had a sound in his head and it just wanted to come out. Having worked with live musicians, vocalists and collaborating with other producers he was finally able to come up with the sound he had heard so vividly in his mind for all the years building up to him becoming the transformational producer that he is today.The drums, the percussion, the chants and the heart felt base lines you’d think you’ve gone on an adventure through the jungle as you take in the sounds of this label .The roots of this label are buried in the Latin culture of where Marcelo Cruz was born. He may have left his motherland and today Deepnsound calls Toronto, Canada its home but Cruz pays tribute to his roots and its people in almost every track. Marcelo is now an active producer with Cabana Recordings.
Mauritzio - Producer/DJ
Mauritzio/Mrtz/Bocsecrets/OLD BASTARD/B-CRONIK is going for make a right fusion with groove and harmony like an afro dance hardhouse soul latin jazz music > thanks to the experience and background dj , study for good sound the Piano Jazz one year in 2002/03, took a little title for one year in sound engineer 2006/07 for learn it more . In this time following work soon a right prod. for released out in other label. Mauritzio is now a current producer with Cabana Recordings. He has featured currently on Cabana: Old Bastard/Moon Sun, with JAAL, & Kind Of Kondo to be released later this year...
Esteban - A&R/ Percussionist / DJ
Steve `esteban’ Fernandez was surrounded by music all his life. His father Milton Fernandez was a professional musician at the age of 16 in his native South American country of Uruguay. Steve’s Uncle Chiche Fernandez traveled throughout Europe and lived in Brazil as a performer and percussionist. "I have memories and pictures of me being around my dad and uncle as they jammed in the parks or at home. There was always musicians coming over for BBQ’s talking about old times and playing old records and tapes."
Steve didn’t start playing percussion or djing until later on in life. At age 14 he started going to Jersey clubs and vividly remembers staying up late and recording Tony Humphries on 98.7 Kiss FM. By age 17 Steve was checking out all the clubs in New York City and it wasn’t until he heard Louie Vega at Sound Factory Bar when it all clicked for him. "I couldn’t believe how great the dancers were and how the people appreciated this music that was being played. There was an unspoken communication going on and it spoke directly to my heart and soul."
Not long after that Steve gathered his father’s instruments and started jamming with some friends. He and two other friends formed Synergeez Groove, a trio in which beats and rhythms were created to back up their own poetry. They would perform at local coffee shops in Jersey and NYC. One of the most memorable performances for Steve was at the legendary Nuyorican Poets Café in New York. These experiences led them to start playing live percussion alongside dj’s in both Jersey clubs/lounges and New York City clubs/lounges such as Chelsea Piers and the Sullivan Room.
A year or two later Steve decided to purchase his own dj equipment. Like everyone else he would put together his own mixed tapes and do parties for friends. Through playing percussion at these clubs/lounges he would talk to the promoters and they would give him small gigs here and there spinning lounge and house music. A weekend visit to Miami was all it took for Steve to prepare, save and pack his things.
" I needed a change and I felt that there were things going on musically in Miami before I even knew that the Winter Music Conference was held there".
Without even knowing anyone in the music scene Steve took his faith and his records and landed a gig at the most talked about establishment in Miami, Nikki Beach Club. This Sunday afternoon party is well known all around the world and opened up many opportunities for more work in and around the South Beach area. His love and passion for percussion allowed Steve to also play at clubs in South Beach as well as West Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale. He even took some conga lessons from the infamous JC Johnny Conga.
After three years in Miami Steve decided to go back to Jersey to promote and produce soulful house music. His next journey will hopefully land him in Europe, in particular the beaches of Italy. "My soul belongs in the sun near palm trees and water. Music will always be a part of me, God placed it there and I want to share that with others where ever I may go."
Ian Fisher - Guitar/ Bass / Engineer
Ian Fisher- Guitar, Bass
Born March 6, 1981 Ian started playing guitar at the age of 13. Throughout high school Ian played in the schools jazz band. Ian also studied with berklee graduate and American Institute of Guitar professor Craig Graham. In Ian’s senior year of high school, he earned the title class musician. Ian went on to receive an associate of the arts degree in music from Brookdale College. Ian also played guitar in Brookdales jazz ensemble. After graduation Ian lead the live hip-hop and funk group Movement of the People. The band won the Rutgers Springfest battle of the bands. Ian can be heard on many of Cabana Recordings productions including the Deeper Than EP (Jazzanova), and the Stereophonic album (Cabana Theme, etc.). Ian meet Justin Imperiale during their freshman year of high school. Justin was playing drums at the time. The two lost touch for several years and reconnected in 2004 through a mutual friend. Ian does double duties on many tracks playing guitar and bass (Jazz Souldiers, Lavender, etc.).
Dennis Guevara - Keyboards
(Bio Coming Soon)
Kortez - A&R / Dj / Artist
Kortez is a DJ and visual artist who resides in Freehold Boro New Jersey. His love of DJ culture started with his visits to the Pegasus Disco for their Sunday afternoon kiddy disco back in the late 70's and early 80's. His late brother, Demmick Peace who would bring the family, would tell him stories of famous discos like the Paradise Garage and Studio 54.
Through these experiences Kortez fantasized about controlling the crowd through the medium of Djing Hip Hop. It didn't become a reality until the summer of 1985. His first DJ set up was a Gemini 3 channel mixer and 2 technique slb 100 belt drive turntables, the set cost him about $200.00.
His friend Ian Francis was a club DJ. He would spin what you heard at Zanibar and the Garage. Ian told Kortez to learn how to mix and blend before scratching and you will be able to pick up scratching faster. Being that Ian had more records, Kortez would practice mixing at his house. From that point he fell in love with that garage and club sound!
A close high school friend, Neil Ollivierra, who hailed from Detroit, schooled Kortez on Techno and House music. All Neil and Kortez talked about was music! Not just the dance music, but many genres of music. Both of them were huge Prince fans and that was what brought the two together, The Minneapolis Sound. Neil would later become the label manager for Transmat Records. He also went on to record experimental recordings under the guise The Detroit Escalator.
That was the beginning! From that point underground dance music was Kortez's passion. He went on to spin mainly in the New Jersey/ New York area and spinning abroad on 106.2 Passion FM in Bristol, United Kingdom.
His style incorporates many genres of dance including U.S. and U.K. Garage, Broken Beat, Latin, Afro Beat, Techno, Tech house, Classic Soul, Funk, Hip Hop, Reggae/Dub, Jazz, Rock and Spoken word. The DJ's/producers that inspire him are Joe Claussell, Timmy Regisford, MAW, Ron Trent, Tony Humphries and the late Larry Levan.
Currently Kortez is working on his own music and has assisted with rhythms on "From above" and "House Negro" with Justin Imperiele on Cabana Recordings. Kortez is developing his own signature sound that is minimal and soulful. To stay informed and to see Kortez's art log on to the web site artmusicpropaganda.com.