forewords by Brian Michel Bacchus

I’ve spent most of my adult life around musicians and music because I am engrossed with that which you can’t quite put your finger on, that which cannot be physically put in a bottle. Thus began the concentric orbits of myself and Joaquin ‘Joe’ Claussell, my friend, my collaborator, my sounding board and one of my close inspirations.
Many people know my good friend Joaquin ‘Joe’ Claussell as a House/Dance music DJ and producer, but if that is all you know, then you are merely scratching the surface. Sometimes we so compartmentalize our work that others don’t realize all that we do or have an interest in.

I am here to open that door just a little and hip and introduce you to that man that I know.

True, I first met Joe through another DJ /friend, but our friendship blossomed because of our love of different music and cultures and the musicians that made the magic we fell in love with. Both New Yorkers from Caribbean backgrounds, we were exposed to more than what was on the radio at the time, though we were avid listeners to all the NY stations in our youth. Rock ‘n’ Roll, Plenas, Soca, Doo-Wop, Calypso, Salsa, Jazz, R&B, Rhumba, Soul, Funk, African Music, Boleros, Disco and even Classical Music were the sounds that educated us and influenced us.

We both drank from this heady brew as only thirsty musicophiles will do! The muse rocked us both in different ways. For me, it became a foray into the Jazz world with several A&R and staff production gigs along the way.
Though we both ended mixing it up and dancing down different lanes, we were both bound to meet at certain crossroads, including something that seems to be a thing of the past, the almighty record store.
When I think of Joaquin, I think of more than dance music because he is so much more than his fans realize. There is Joe, the musician. For those that read liner notes and credits, you may already have an inkling of him as percussionist, keyboardist and programmer.

In fact Joaquin comes from a family of great percussionists/musicians. His brother Jose perhaps being the most known from his work with Eddie Palmieri over the years. Then there is Joe the arranger and not just in dance music. His intrinsic understanding of building compositions both in terms of timbre, color and mood is unique and not to be underestimated. Then there is Joe the dancer, something that not enough DJ’s do or do well! Yes when the music moves him, he moves too. Sometimes even while DJing, he will leave the booth to mix it up and revel with the crowd. And then there is Joe the sonic installation artist. How many folks have enjoyed his surround sound installations around the world in collaboration with other visual artists and even architects?