By Chesney Hearst, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – With the vinyl revival still going strong in many places around the world, including Brazil, a new party, Disco Godfathers will launch in Rio de Janeiro at Armazem Cultural São Joaquim in Santa Teresa on Saturday, September 19th.
Spinning the best everything funky and sharing their love of vinyl and crate digging during the night will be the party’s resident DJs, Brazilian DeeJay Alex Paz of the Coletivo Amo Vinil and American Tee Cardaci of the Botafogo Social Club and special guest DJ Fleg from Baltimore, Maryland.
“It’s an all vinyl party playing all forms of funky music (hip hop, funk, soul, Brasilian grooves, breaks and beyond) and it’s called Disco Godfathers,” DJ Tee Cardaci explained to The Rio Times.
“It’s kind of a play on words with disco obviously being a record in Portuguese. The concept is to bring DJs, musicians and record collectors that are known for their collections and amazing taste, hence Disco Godfathers.”
“My partner is deejay Alex Paz from Rio, an old-school vinyl DJ, a serious record collector and vendor known for his efforts to nurture vinyl culture in Rio,” continued Cardaci, who is also well known for his love of records, telling The Rio Times earlier this year that he began collecting vinyl as a child.
The second half of the Disco Godfathers, Paz, is a DJ from Ilha do Governador who was born in Morro do Guarabu and began djing in 2003, inspired by rap, soul, funk, and blues. “I’m excited because I’m going to play with two monsters of the turntable,” Paz said speaking of the party. “Tee Cardaci, who has a fantastic collection of funk and northern soul and DJ Fleg who has a deep respect for the breaks from various parts of the world. I’m in good company.”
Cardaci added about Fleg; “He has travelled the world DJing and judging top level B-Boy competitions and his original, uptempo breakbeat productions are aimed squarely toward the dancefloor.”
When asked why he loved vinyl, Fleg said; “I’ve been digging for records for twelve years now. My dad played records and I guess that sowed the seeds.”
“Vinyl is an incredible medium both because of the quality of the music, but also because of its sheer physicality,” Fleg continued. “I often am reminded of songs because I looked at a particular record cover. This might change how I play on a particular night and ultimately how I play in general. Digging for records is always a great introduction to a culture and gives you a perspective on it even before you’ve fully delved into other aspects of it.”
Fleg’s upcoming visit to the city will not be his first trip to Brazil or to Rio. Saying it was his “favorite city in the world” and speaking of his affection for the city’s and country’s culture, food, people and energy, Fleg explained that it was the sounds of the country that originally lured him.
“My love for Brazil started with music,” said Fleg. “I got into Bossa Nova, then Tropicalia and Samba in college and then began taking Portuguese classes. I then got the opportunity to study there. When I arrived, I remember walking down the street and seeing my first live samba band on the street corner. I was mesmerized. My friend wanted to keep moving, but I just wanted to stay there and listen.”
This will be Fleg’s first visit to Rio in eight years and while nervous about the changes in the city, he said he’s looking forward to digging for records, walking the streets and drinking Acai before heading next month to Germany for Battle of the Year.
“Battle of the Year is a huge international bboy (Breakdance) event that happens in Braunschweig, Germany. Its been going on for over 25 years and it draws out crews and performers from all over the world. I grew up watching VHS footage of these events and am ecstatic to DJ this for the first time in October!”
“[The Disoc Godfathers event] will be a little less drum heavy and more just about good party with music from the 70’s and early 80’s,” said Fleg. “I’m a huge Funk, Disco and Boogie lover, so its fun to play these parties where everyone is on the same page.”
The event will begin at 9PM on Saturday, September 19th and promises to be the first of many parties not to be missed by lovers of funk, soul, hip hop and vinyl.
What: Disco Godfathers Party
When: Saturday, September 19th, 9PM
Where: Armazem Cultural São Joaquim, Rua Almirante Alexandrino, 470 – Santa Teresa, RJ
Entrance: R$15 – R$20